Saturday 22^nd September. We woke up to a slightly chilly start to the day with the canal shrouded in mist.

Very soon, the sun appeared and burned off the mist and hardly a cloud in the sky.

We set off across the aqueduct and, for once, I’ve got a big smile on my face.

It’s still chilly but it’s not raining! Like the Middlewich branch, the Shropshire Union Canal is also a favourite of ours.

It turned out to be a gloriously sunny short-sleeved day and we had plenty of help with the locks. Don’t tell anyone but at Hack Green we passed close by to their Secret Nuclear Bunker!

And I don’t think it was anything to do with the bunker but close by were loads of ducks and swans all gathered in one small place.

Soon after that we passed another new marina which wasn’t even on the drawing board last time we passed this way.

As we worked our way up through the locks we came across a stall selling vegetables and meat

and, in the middle of the Audlem flight we stopped near to The Shroppie Fly, a well-known pub in this area.

No, we didn’t go in but we did walk round Audlem and visited the church instead.

We also visited the mill and Brigid spent more money in the craft shop. On the canal side Brigid met up with Ian who was ordained at the same time as her in 1999. They recognised each other because Brigid was wearing her Retreat House T-shirt. He is now vicar in Kidsgrove. Every now and again we have passed official moorings kitted out with benches and barbecue stand.

What a wonderful idea! Most folk on the canals like a barbecue and to have everything set out for you is a great idea. My favourite lock of the day had this small stall in the gateway.

As the lock was filling, Brigid rushed across asking if I’d got any money. Now, those of you who know me know that this is the sort of question I don’t like, especially after the craft shop episode. However, I soon changed my mind!

Yummee, cream tea – well worth all the hard work on the locks. In the evening we stopped at Betton Wood bridge near Adderley and, joy of joys, we had a barbecue!

Not at one of the sites provided but on the side of the canal. Pork chops and sausages – what a splendid end to a splendid day.

Oh, before I finish, just a last picture of one of the iron rails there to protect the bridge’s stonework.

The grooves in the iron have been caused by thousands of tow ropes dragging against the metal. I know how long it takes to cut through mild steel but that’s impressive!