Monday 17^th September.

What a surprise, a clear blue sky, hardly a cloud to be seen and not a breeze to ruffle the surface of the water.

I’m giving up on waiting to see the forecast. Yesterday we were assured that a cold front was moving across, bringing with it a band of rain with temperatures barely getting up to 13C. The day started out just fine and the view from the galley window was spectacular.

We set off quite early for us and managed Bosley Locks in sunshine the whole way.

After the first chill of the morning Brigid rapidly started stripping off outer garments so that she could soak up all the vitamin D that was on offer.

The locks were quite busy today and one or two times I had to ‘dance’ Polgara around a hire boat so that they could have the easy path into the lock. I reasoned that if I got stuck I had time to sort it out without spoiling the holiday.

At the last lock we were asked to ‘hove to’ whilst another boat winded (turned round) in the lower pound. Because the width of a canal channel is less than the length of a canal boat it is not usually possible to turn a boat in the canal.

A boat has to be winded at a place where there is a large enough indentation in the bank, a winding hole, or in a lock pound which has been enlarged for that purpose. One unverified suggestion for the derivation of the name winding hole comes from the fact that the winding hole is on the off-side of the canal. When horses were used to pull the boats, it was not possible for them to assist with the turning of the boat, due to being on the wrong side of the canal. As a result it was considered favourable to use the wind to assist in turning the boat, to reduce the amount of human power needed. Class dismissed for the day! Further along the canal we passed a charming farm house nicely set back in its own grounds.

At lunch time we stopped at The Queen’s Head in Congleton. I’m sure that we had been there some time in the past but neither of us remembered it. Once again, fabulous food and good beer. I’m trying to work my way along all the real ales that I come across. This pub was a CAMRA pub and had several beers that should have been tried. Sadly, we had to go shopping for supplies and then continue the journey. When we crossed the road bridge leading into town it was fascinating to look over the side and see the canal being crossed by the railway which in turn was crossed by the road.

In the old days there would have been a level crossing but that has long gone. Tonight we have moored up at Hall Green again but will not be making a return visit to The Bleeding Wolf. One pub lunch a day is our ration. Still, looks like spaghetti Bolognese tonight. Yippee.