Memories of Audlem

 We set off from Nantwich at around 11 o'clock. 

Passing the moored boats, someone called to us that there was a buzzard in a tree opposite.

Being up on an embankment meant that we were level with the top of the tree and had a good view of this bird of prey. 

Next, just round the corner, Nantwich Aqueduct. 

The Nantwich Aqueduct is a radical 1826 civil engineering design by Thomas Telford that uses a lightweight cast-iron water trough instead of heavy traditional stonework. 

And here we are floating across the main road. 

The first lock of the day at Hack Green. Please note that I drew the short straw and the captain is driving today. It was all carefully explained to me that because my legs are longer I can step across the lock gates to shut them both. 

At Hack Green there is a 'Secret Nuclear Bunker.' Usually there is a sign to this effect but I missed it this time round. 

Remember the mile posts on the Macclesfield Canal, all stone. Well these are the cast iron ones on this canal. 

We are now at the foot of the Audlem flight of 15 locks. 

18 years ago on our first ever trip in Polgara, this is where it started to snow. Something we had not prepared for. The captain looked like Michelin Man in jumpers and waterproofs. 

3 locks done and we're at the Shroppie Fly. This is where the snow had started to settle. 

Audlem Mill, next to the Fly, is up for rent and the lovely shop is no longer there. 

The entrance to these locks is very narrow and the bye wash is quite strong. It's a given that you won't enter many of the locks without touching the sides. 

We went through one last lock and then stopped for the night. We didn't fancy tackling the remaining 11 locks straight off, so we went for a walk instead.

Our first stile of the day.

The second one was a bit superfluous, just standing in the middle of the field. 

What an imposing church. The church stands on a hill in the middle of the village. We had a good old mooch around the town and then back to the boat. 

We were lucky to get a mooring because there is going to be a gathering of old working boats this coming weekend and various moorings have been reserved for participants. Mind you, we did get stuck on the shelf which we noticed when the boat started to lean over at an angle. For some reason this canal was built with a shelf along most of its length. Many folk have tyres floating in the water to keep a distance from the bank. All we did was to push the boat out a bit and kept our fingers crossed. 

A peaceful night was had by all with no odd bumps in the night.