A very early wake up this morning at 5 o'clock; we want to 'get ahead of the crowd!'
By 6 the manual bow-thruster came into play ... we don't want to wake anyone else up ...
and slowly made our way through the bridge to the water point opposite Talbot Wharf ...
where this building looks remarkably like the this one at the ex-chocolate factory in Knighton.
New CRT moorings (Waterside Moorings)on the right along here and we later saw a CRT sign informing of vacancies. The pontoons were all sorts of lengths up to what looked like at least 70'.
Thea built for John Knill & Sons, GUCCC in 1936 is a Middle Northwich Star tug boat; shortened from the original build in 1992 to 57'.
I thought here that we were entering a narrow section again, but it was a tree trunk across the canal!
Lock 1 of the Addlerly flight ...
I chickened out of steering the five Adderley Locks and 15 Audlum Locks because I wasn't sure I could cope with the by-washes at the tail of each lock, so George took over the tiller and I was on lock duty ... with my phone for photos.
That's one done then!
Narrowboat Henry with all his ducks in a row was waiting below lock 1 so had to pass What a Lark against the flow of the by-wash. There were boats waiting to come up at the remaining four locks so it was an easy ride. The sluices were easy to wind and the beams easy to open and close.
40 minutes later lock 5 (last one on this flight) was set waiting for WaL ... and George gets out his phone/camera ...
to take a picture of the lock wheeler!
It's a five mile cruise now along the Shroppie passing farms buildings ...
brothers having fun on the towpath ...
as we look down over ...
the undulating fields of grass ...
and more sweetcorn.
At the top lock of the Audlem flight (as I waited for WaL to arrive) is Panda's Pantry and although it was eggs I was looking for (there were none today) I purchased two scones and two bakewell slices which were delicious after lunch!
20 past 9 and WaL arrives at the lock.
Workboat Saltaire is coming though the pound below. It was built in 1936 for GUCCC by Yarwood and is a Town class motor.
Like Bream, Saltaire was also cut in two by BWB in the 1960's. This boat is registration 73959 which means it was built from the bow end of the original to full length.
Saltaire has passed WaL and George brings her into the 2nd lock
where I'm waiting.
Old BWB stable building by the lock-side as WaL descends
Stepping very carefully on and off the gate foot-plank (I don't do heights and I don't swim either!)
Opening the gate takes a bit of effort!
Between the top two locks and the rest of the flight I walk along Audlem towpath passing Audlem Mill and the Shroppie Fly pub where punters were waiting for the doors to open and saw Buckden ...
originally intended for GUCCC in 1937 and named Pauline; Buckden was taken over by Willow Wren in 1962. She is a Harland and Wolfe Town Class boat.
A few minutes later as I continue to walk to the next lock I see Darley another Harland and Wolfe Town Class motor boat built in 1937 for GUCCC
50 minutes later What a Lark is in lock 15, the last of the Audlem flight.
In total these two flights of locks (20 locks) we have descended What a Lark 123-ft over 7.75 miles in 4 hours giving a total lock miles of 27.75 which equates to approximately 10 minutes per lock mile ... I think!
We love the pound (stretch of water between locks) below the Audlem flight which looks over the River Weaver ...
such beautiful views ...
over the pastures ...
and look! ... gorgeous chimneys!
It was not easy to get 70' What a Lark through the entrance of Overwater Marina for a pump-out but no boats were harmed in the process!
By 20 past 1 we're moored up at the Shropshire Union Association site at Coole Pilate where there are picnic tables and bbq stands ...
and this cheeky Moorhen who came to the hatch for food and later knocked on the boat for more!
Coole Pilate moorings just south of Mickley Bridge 84.
We sat in the cratch (bow) for most of the evening until ...
the sun started to set ...
at about 8:30
The end of a thoroughly enjoyable day!
