Mad rush at Middlewich

 Saturday 18th 

Set off for a pleasant cruise, the intention being to get through the Big Lock, moor up, walk to Morrisons to get the shopping and then back to the boat for our usual steak supper. 

The first bit went as planned with a lovely cruise looking out over the Weaver Valley. The second bit was OK getting through the Big Lock. It was only after that that things started to take a dive. We found an ideal mooring in the shade and were just about to set off for the shops when a boater came along telling us all that the locks on Heartbreak Hill were closed because of low water and that they were talking about closing the Big Lock as well. 

The name Big sums up the problem. The Big Lock was draining more water out of the system than was being let down from above. The only way to cure the problem would be to shut the lock until levels improved. 

What to do? 

After looking online at the stoppages map we decided to move up through the next 4 locks and get ourselves on the Middlewich Branch, just in case. 

Just entering the first lock. A slow fill because of only one ground paddle in operation. 

Now waiting to enter Wardle Lock. Maureen Shaw lived in Wardle Lock Cottage for many years. She was an ex-working boatwoman and delighted in looking after Wardle Lock. In fact many regular boaters called it “Maureen’s Lock”. 

We went through the lock and stopped a couple of bridges along glad to be away from closures for the time being. Now we will have to keep an eye on the C&RT stoppages page to see if we will need to make a dash back to the marina should water levels affect the Leicester Branch and threaten closure of the Watford Gap Locks. 

Mind you, it's very hard to dash at 4 miles per hour!