That's the way to do it

What is this golden orb I espy? Yes, you've guessed it, sun!

We left you yesterday in the knowledge that we had started on 'heartbreak hill' and had stopped for the night. There are 12 locks in the space of 2 miles and each lock drops you down by 8 to 10 feet.

Of course, just as we decided to set off, boats started to come through. Still, we got in the queue and off we set.

At about the 3rd lock we had the help of one of the C&RT volunteers. Always welcome helpers like these.

You can see the 'enough blue to make a sailor's trousers' in the sky above.

Just passing the Red Bull facility and a cheery wave from one of the volunteers who, earlier, had been checking up on a lone Swan without a mate. They don't just open and close lock gates, they really do keep an eye on the whole of the waterway.

We took it in turns to work the locks today (Thursday). With some there were boats coming the other way and, mostly, their crew would give us a helping hand. Some others just stood and watched until it was their turn to work the lock.

Some lovely views along this stretch but, even though we've been this way before, we don't remember much about it.

Looking back at an old logbook we found a comment 'much more beautiful than we remember'. We're writing exactly the same again!

Just as we cleared the last of the locks the heavens opened and we paused under some trees until the worst had passed.

Stopped at Rode Heath and had a late lunch in the Broughton Arms. Decided to stop here for the night.

Friday, sunny again and time to tackle a further 14 locks as we make our way to Wheelock. Phew! Surprisingly hot again and in the afternoon we had a little walk around the village.

We found this mill stream nearby and, of course...

The old mill.

The path then took us back to the canal alongside the stream and it got wetter and muddier the further we went. Another walker then told us that cows were blocking the way so we struggled through more mud and nettles until we collapsed on the boat for a reviving cuppa. Might have been better to brave the cows, who knows.

Stopping here tomorrow and will probably pop round Sandbach, may even get some painting done. Watch this space.