Middlewich and Beyond

Well where do I start! So much to report. My blog has been quiet now for a couple of weeks as we have been off on our main summer holiday with Minnow and what gorgeous Summer weather we have had. I have decided to write up this trip in several stages so to speak so here goes.

Sat 12 June. Sister-in-law drove us up to Stone in my car to pick up Minnow and bring my car back home. We left Stone about 4.00pm and headed off to Middlewich for the Folk and Canal Festival that weekend. Overall the trip went off without any major hitches, but as with all trips out, there were a few minor hick ups such as the headlight going out 100 yards into Harecastle tunnel. We arrived at Middlewich by Monday lunchtime, stopping at Longport wharf on Saturday evening and a meal and a pint or two while being serenaded by Karaoke in The Pack Horse, followed by stopping at the Romping Donkey at Hassal Green the following night for a meal and a pint or two, and more Karaoke.

Mon 14^th June Arrived at Middlewich and moored above Kings lock against the towpath and on the inside of Stuart Coopers coal boat Anne. Also there were old friends Horace Forster and Trish on JJinad and Henry and Phyllis Johnstone on Perch as well as new friends Mick and Julie on Princess Anne and Telford.

Tue – Wed Spent two of the hottest days ever carrying out a few jobs on Minnow but replenished the liquid each evening in the Kings Lock pub.

Thurs 17^th June by this time several other working boats has assembled with Lynx, Rudd, Princess Anne (Plato), Pices, Ariel, Shackleton all at Kings lock and with Saturn, Shad, Gifford, Mountbatton, Jellico, Sweden, Buckden Thursday evening was the boaters supper at the Boars Head with hot pot on the menu and entertainment from a folk trio.

Fri-Sat-Sun the sun beat down and the crowds turned out each day. Early on Friday night we all went down to the British Legion for a quiet pint followed by an evening in the garden of the Cheshire Cheese being entertained by the Middlewich Paddies. Saturday night I set up a table out of some boards and diesel tubs and everybody brought their chairs down and some booze and we had our own ‘party’

Sunday night we went down to the Boars Head as it was the last day of the folk festival they have a free and easy singers night.

Monday afternoon we left Middlewich and made the tight turn onto the Wardle canal and on up to the Middlewich branch tying that evening just below Barbridge Junction. Tuesday saw us travelling on through Nantwich along with the Audlem and Adderley flight of locks and eventually stopping for the night at Market Drayton and going to the Talbot by Bridge 62 for a meal, and what a meal it was both huge and great quality. Wednesday we climbed the Tyrley flight and made our way to Norbury Junction where we spent the evening in The Junction Pub,

On Thursday morning we had a leisurely morning bought some diesel from Norbury Wharf Ltd. Had a browse around their shop and headed off at lunchtime as we were only travelling as far as Brewood and a night in The Bridge. Friday saw us get as far as the Cross Keys at Penkridge and one of their home made steak & kidney pie meals. Finally we got Minnow back home on Saturday where she was to stay for a couple of days while we cleaned/washed/ bedding etc. before returning her to her moorings last night.

Don’t bang ‘em about

Blossom