| This Month's Totals and Average | |||
| 102.51 miles | 57 locks | 60.02 hrs | 2.66 lmph |
Another hot sunny morning. On the move as soon as we could, continuing generally southwestwards. No locks today, but a few lift-bridges, some open some needing worked.
Pat had decided she wanted to go straight to Ellesmere so we didn't go up any of the arms. Passed the Whitchurch Arm and continued on towards the Mosses and Meres. Passed the Prees Arm and again continued southwestwards. It was slow along behind a chugger, then again in the section at Cole Mere and Blake Mere (due to moored boats). Arrived at the junction onto the Ellesmere Arm and turned in, hoping for a mooring. Very fortunate to get the last one, nearly at the basin - great for Tesco's. Saw Gill & John on "Faithful" on our way in.
Having moored, Pat and Fhi went shopping while I got started on the diary. Gill & John walked up for a short chat, inviting us to them after dinner. The comms were too bad to get the diary and maps "up the line" so, avid readers, it will be late again.
After dinner, Fhi and I accepted an invitation to join Gill & John for drinks and an evening chatting. Had a great time. Headed back to "Paws" when it started to get cool.
| 13.10 miles | 0 locks | 5.98 hrs | 2.19 lmph |
 oval.hidden.blotting |
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Up promptly again and away by just after 09:00 on another warm sunny morning. Fhi did her 1st lift-bridge, and said she was shattered after doing it! Continued on generally southwestward, ascending Marbury, Quoisley, Willeymoor and Povey's Locks - all spaced out. Moored for lunch after Povey's Lock.
After lunch, continued on to Grindley Brook and ascended the three single locks before attacking Fhi's 1st staircase with the assistance of the two Volunteers, although 'chased' by a hire boat. Fhi purchased ice cream and cakes for later on. Clearing the top chamber we pulled in to empty the loo cassette (and let the water skier past).
Finished services, and moved on again expecting to get to Whitchurch, but Pat decided that we should just moor up for the day. Fhi and I 'parked' "Paws" at the first suitable space and we had our ice cream for afternoon cuppie under the trees, before catching up with the e-paperwork.
| 5.95 miles | 10 locks | 4.37 hrs | 3.65 lmph |
| others.youths.aviation |
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Nature assisted an early rise today. Managed to get on the move by 09:00, moving across the aqueduct heading for the services berth. Found it was busy so, on the strength of the Admiral's word that there was a service station above Hurleston Locks, we continued north for Hurleston Junction. Turned left onto what is now known as the Llangollen Canal but whose enabling Act gave it the name of the Whitchurch Line of the Ellesmere Canal. Ascended the 4 Locks, Pat and Fhi locking, assisted by a Volunteer for the top lock. He advised us that there had been no Elsan point here since 2018 due to the collapse of the cesspit. Panic! Took water then continued on to Swanley Bridge Marina where we got our two cassettes emptied.
On the move again, we ascended the 2 Swanley Locks, then had our lunch in shifts on the move. Ascended the 3 Baddiley Locks then entered "lift-bridge country" as we arrived at Wrenbury. Fhi had been looking forward to doing the lift-bridges, but the 1st two were operated by other boaters who arrived just before us - she'll get plenty of practice later! Passed Wrenbury marina and moored for the night just short of the next bridge.
A very hot sunny day throughout. Poor comms and TV - diary, stats and maps will have to wait till tomorrow.
| 8.74 miles | 9 locks | 6.05 hrs | 2.93 lmph |
| masterful.dormant.unleashed |
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Lovely sunny morning. Up promptly (surprisingly!) and Fhi went off at 09:00 to attend Mass at St Anne's (specifically to compare with her church in Italy). Pat and I took our time as we had other services later in the day.
Fhi returned late morning. After lunch, Fhi and I walked down to the school and were collected by David of the local Methodist Church and taken to the Broad Lane Chapel just outside Nantwich - there was a joint service there to celebrate its 160th year. After the service (and tea & cake) he brought us back to the town centre. Pat elected to stay aboard and keep the boat ventilated.
We hung around for about an hour before going to the local Methodist chapel for "Open Table", a light dinner for the LGBTQ+ community followed by an ecumenical Communion service as part of their "inclusivity" programme - great evening. Walked back up to "Paws" for around 20:30. Chatted for the remainder of the evening.
A lovely sunny day throughout.
Up promptly on a bright, moderately sunny morning, and on the move by 09:30. Headed back north to the locks at Hack Green and descended. Continued into Nantwich and moored at the first available space - about half way along the southern section (rumour said that the northern section was full already!). We knew by this time that Fhi's flight was running about 1½ hours late.
Lunch, then Pat walked down to the Morrison's Daily shop to top up on supplies while I waited for news of Fhi's onward journey. She eventually got in to Nantwich at 16:20 - I had walked down to meet her, and we walked back together. Dinner and an evening of catching up.
The sunny morning deteriorated into a showery afternoon, but cleared again by bedtime.
| 3.42 miles | 2 locks | 1.97 hrs | 2.76 lmph |
| litters.delighted.barbarian |
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The drizzle had gone by Thursday morning and we woke (late) to another bright day, although cloudy. I finally got back up to date with the maps and diary from the late arrival yesterday while Pat did some clearing up. In the afternoon, it brightened with a little sun for a time. Pat continued her cleaning while I did some e-paperwork. The mooring became busy with boats headed for the Audlem Gathering over the coming weekend.
Friday was another day spent generally pottering awaiting Fhi's arrival. Pat continued her her "housework" ("boatwork"?), while I did more e-paperwork. Very busy with traffic heading for Audlem - hopefully that will mean it's quieter in Nantwich. Beautifully sunny day all day.
A bright morning with a little sun. On the move fairly quickly, reversing back to the Junction before turning to head south again towards Nantwich. At the Basin entrance, I noted that "Dawn Piper" wasn't there and assumed Emma had moved on. Pulled in at the services berth for water, loo and rubbish. The water seemed to be taking ages and a queue had formed - found out that the 'supplies officer' hadn't noticed a kink in the hose! Decided to move off and let others in. Pulled forward to the fuelling berth and went to the chandlery for a gas bottle (they didn't have any last weekend) - got one so another tick in the box. Pushed across into a space on the towpath side and moored for lunch, walking round to the café in the Canal Centre.
While waiting for our meal (Staffordshire oatcakes) to be served, we noticed a film crew opposite - it was Emma with "Dawn Piper"! Conversation in the café suggested she was in for a major engine overhaul, and it was being filmed (possibly for another series of "Narrow Escapes") - something to look out for.
After lunch, and now running late on plan, we reversed back to the quieter service berth and completed watering (without the kink!), before continuing south through Nantwich. The bright morning had deteriorated after lunch to a steady drizzle by mid-afternoon. Ascended the two locks at Hack Green and continued to Audlem Bottom Lock to wind so that we were pointing the right direction for the run back to Nantwich to collect Fhi at the weekend. A lot of midges due to the damper conditions. Moored at Coole Pilate just before dinner (and later than expected), probably for the remainder of the wait.
| 9.51 miles | 2 locks | 4.72 hrs | 2.44 lmph |
| inspected.lushly.cadet |
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Took our time getting up, but I was quickly into my 'days' work' after breakfast. Used the 'clone' facility to transfer all the apps and data from Pat's old phone to her new one - saved the actual installation part, just leaving the personalisations to do manually. Finished most of it by a late lunch, then completed the job by mid-afternoon. Brain frazzled!
A lovely sunny day throughout. Fed up with bouncing as most boats passed, we plan to move tomorrow to Coole Pilate where the banking is more vertical and the keel will scrape less.
Up promptly, and off the boat for around 09:30 to walk into town for a major shopping. The day started cloudy but the sun was out by the time we reached the town centre. Aldi and Morrison's before the trudge back up the hill in the increasing heat. By this time, I had postponed a planning chat with Fhi about next Sunday.
Lunch as soon as we were back aboard, and managed to get on the move just before 14:00. Moved round to the services berth for water, loo and rubbish, before setting off again headed for Hurleston. Noted that "Dawn Piper" had reached the Junction, but no sign of Emma. Tailed a day-boat all the way up, so a slightly slower trip than planned. Moored at the same place as last week, just north of the Junction. Sunny spells all afternoon.
Managed to get the 'planning meeting' with Fhi late afternoon.
| 2.25 miles | 0 locks | 1.12 hrs | 2.01 lmph |
| floating.rolled.shovels |
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Woke to a bright but cloudy sky. Pat slept in and didn't get going quickly. I walked down into town for the (Communion) service at the chapel, and made arrangements for next week. Back to for lunch. Quiet afternoon after catching up with the diary and maps. Plans made for the coming week until Fhi arrives for her holiday.
Up promptly and on the move before 09:00, heading south towards Audlem. Said 'hello' to Emma as we passed "Dawn Piper" (seen on "Narrow Escapes" on Channel 4). Winded (turned round) at the turning point at the bottom of the Audlem Flight and headed back for Nantwich.
Passed my mooring from the last 3 days and continued north. Slight delay due to a cruiser coming south - not much by way of control of his boat, unfortunately. Reached Hack Green Locks and found a queue - I was 3rd. By the time the first boat was dropping, "Hector" had caught me up - first saw Paul & Daisy in 2018 on our trip to the Fens. Continued on into Nantwich and moored at the first available space on the south side. Lunch before anything else.
After lunch the sky had cleared to another warm day. Walked round to the Basin with the rubbish, noting there were no spaces on the north side and only a couple of others on the south side. Walked on into town for emergency stores, and to meet Pat off the train mid-afternoon. Once back aboard, had to have a rest due to the hot 'trudge' back up the hill. Quiet remainder to the day.
| 7.12 miles | 2 locks | 3.42 hrs | 2.67 lmph |
| balconies.page.barrel |
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A beautifully quiet night, gave onto a bright sunny morning on Thursday. Took my time and had a relaxing day on puzzles and reading. Had a catch-up with Fhi late morning. The cloud returned by late evening.
Friday was similar. Had a great, relaxing time sitting in the sun, reading. Very busy (both days) with passing boats.
Up early (07:00) to get Pat to the train. A lovely sunny morning. Walked down with her to the station, then went to Morrison's for stores to last to the weekend. Back in time for an early lunch.
Left the mooring at 5-to-1 and headed out of town southwards. After the congestion over the last two visits, I noted 14 spaces available today. Continued out into the countryside, ascending the 2 locks at Hack Green (home of a 'secret bunker' constructed during the Cold War as a home for the Government in case of a nuclear attack. Continued on, noting the large number of swallows, until I came to the SUCS mooring at Coole Pilate and stopped for the night - expect to be here for the next couple of days awaiting Pat. Pat got home safely at 15:30.
| 3.77 miles | 2 locks | 2.33 hrs | 2.47 lmph |
| divides.bends.interval |
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The heavy rain overnight continued on into the morning. Generally pottered for most of the morning, me almost finishing getting my phone ready. Pat decided to move at 11:00 and head back into Nantwich ready for her train tomorrow. Let go and reversed to the Junction where I winded "Paws" and returned back southwards. Arriving at Nantwich Junction to find the services berth full, I moved forward to the fuel berth, waited in the queue, and topped up (they couldn't, however, provide a replacement gas bottle). Once ready, we reversed back to the services berth and waited our turn there for water, loo and rubbish. Ready again, we moved off, looking for the first available berth. Moored half way along the straight before the aqueduct.
The rain had ceased late morning, but it continued dull through into the afternoon. It eventually dird out early evening giving a starlit, cool night.
| 1.92 miles | 0 locks | 1.37 hrs | 1.40 lmph |
| heartless.rally.printers |
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A beautiful morning. I spent most of the day setting up my replacement phone, doing app installations and adjusting settings. Pat pottered with an assortment of "wee jobs". Mid-afternoon, the rain arrived and it continued dull and damp for the rest of the day.
Up promptly this morning to a bright but cloudy day. Walked down into town for the service at Hospital Road Methodist Chapel. Lovely service, but found the service on 28th would be at a sister-chapel - a slight adjustment of plans will be necessary.
After the service, we went to Morrison's for a larger storing before returning to "Paws" for lunch (a heavy pull up to the embankment with the trolley!).
After a relaxed lunch, we got on the move and headed out of town, back up the Hurleston Junction to kill time until Pat goes north on Wednesday. Still bright, but the sun not managing to get fully through.
| 2.18 miles | 0 locks | 1.00 hrs | 2.18 lmph |
| scale.hunk.informer |
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Didn't wake until nearly 09:00, then took our time. Generally cloudy, but it turned to drizzle. Got a load of washing done, then had lunch. Finally got on the move after lunch, passing Hurleston Junction (access to the Llangollen Canal) and continued south for Nantwich.
What used to be a trans-shipment wharf goes off just north of the town. This was the end of the Branch of the Chester Canal. Just before the basin, (now housing a boatyard), a junction was formed when the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal was built. This came north from the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Autherley Junction, and when the combination was done, formed the majority of the new Shropshire Union Canal.
We continued south on the embankment, hoping for a mooring. We arrived at the south end of the town having seen only 2 poor spaces. I dropped Pat to go for emergency shopping, and went to the winding hole to turn "Paws" and return back to one of those spaces, squeezing in with an inch to spare at each end. Pat arrived back later in the afternoon with the shopping. Although the forecast had been for a cloudy day, most it it contained drizzle.
| 3.34 miles | 0 locks | 1.58 hrs | 2.11 lmph |
| promising.lace.cowboys |
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Woke to a brighter morning, with the sun actually trying to get through. We had a plan for a short day today, so took a long-lie. Cleared some more e-paperwork before letting go just after 11:00. Moved round the corner to the services berth for water, loo and rubbish. Met up with "Barbarella" again as they passed. When done, move forward the ¼‑mile to the cheese shop and moored again.
The bright morning had turned to a continuous drizzle. After shopping, and having lunch with Peter & Noni, we moved off and headed for Barbridge Junction, continuing ahead onto the Nantwich Branch of the Chester Canal (all now part of the Shropshire Union Canal). Passed round the SE corner of Hurleston reservoir (serving Nantwich) and moored just short of Hurleston Junction (access to the Llangollen Canal). The drizzle had ceased and the cloud had lifted, the sun attempting to get through.
| 3.21 miles | 3 locks | 1.53 hrs | 2.09 lmph |
| swanky.sheepish.access |
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Rain overnight had reduced to a steady drizzle by morning. Absolute need for a phone signal got us on the way by 10:00, intending to go to Nantwich. Continued generally eastwards, ascending Tilstone Lock then the Bunbury Staircase (2 chambers). Chatting with one of the descending boats, we heard that the services at Calveley was very busy, so re-evaluated the situation and realised that, as long as we got the phone signal, we didn't actually need to be in Nantwich until the parcel arrived (over the weekend). Fed up with the drizzle, we moored just before Calveley Bridge 104.
Lunch first, then into the e-business - tickets researched and purchased for Pat's journey north to the funeral, phones ordered for delivery to Nantwich, diary and maps updated, iPlayer programs downloaded, a quantity of messages read and responded to. Finally sat down to a quiet remainder to the day.
With more information available, welooked again at the possibilities after Nantwich. Decided that we could still go to Llangollen if Fhi was interested, but the Monty was definitely out. Checked with Fhi and we go that way.
| 2.18 miles | 3 locks | 2.13 hrs | 2.43 lmph |
| rejoins.triangle.smudges |
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Woke to a brighter morning, today. Managed to get on the move by 09:40, continuing up the hill out of Chester. Pat received a text saying that the funeral would be on the 19th, but she wished to travel on 17th to get her hair done on 18th. Continued through the very slow section with the long-term moorings, passed Tattenhall Marina and ascended Wharton's Lock. Continued up Beeston Iron and Stone Locks before Pat decided to moor for the day above the lock. Lunch once cleared away, but found there was no phone, internet, DTV or SatTV signals so a quiet afternoon and evening. Diary and maps also delayed until tomorrow. Also meant that no bookings could be made for rail travel. Due to the dates of Pat's trip home, we have had to cancel the whole of the proposed trip to Llangollen and the 'Monty'.
| 7.60 miles | 3 locks | 3.92 hrs | 2.71 lmph |
| plotter.grabs.backup |
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Very heavy rain overnight continued into the morning. We decided to not get soaked, and to take another day off. Quiet day all round. The rain did ease to showers, with occasional short sunny spells. Continued sourcing phones and cases ready for the next available parcel drop point. Thunderstorm in the evening!
Our wedding anniversary. Pat had already said today would not be a 'travelling' day. Leaving her to get some 'housework' done, I walked into the village to catch a bus back to Chester. Excellent service at the Three shop, where the assistant replaced my sim card in shop setting it to my old number, then managed to find a deal reducing the costs of all three sim cards. Unfortunately he couldn't supply from stock a suitable handset - it will have to wait until Nantwich.
Got back to "Paws" earlier than expected, had lunch and a quiet afternoon. Lots of photos from Kenny and family who are at Alton Towers on holiday.
More heavy rain overnight, starting to clear by breakfast. Pat decided she wasn't coming to church this morning, but I walked up to the Chapel at Rowton, only to find it was a joint service in the Village Hall to coincide with Village Fête weekend. Hosted by the Evangelical Church in Waverton, with participation from all the local churches, it was a good service.
A quiet afternoon, researching the best replacement phone and the logistics of getting it. The rain had again cleared by lunchtime to a sunny afternoon.
Very heavy rain overnight, easing slightly and the sky brightening after breakfast. Would have liked to stay put for the day, but we had used all our allowed mooring time. Very slow start but while Pat was getting ready, I emptied a second loo cassette, and we finally got away around 10:15, winding "Paws" in the basin and heading for the Northgate Staircase. Noted that the promised Volunteers were conspicuous by their absence and, after resetting the stair ourselves, we chummed another boat up, then continued to Frodsham Street Bridge 123E and moored after the winding hole.
Walked to Tesco for a large storing, then had lunch once back aboard. The rain had just about stopped by this stage, and the waterproofs came off.
After lunch, we continued up the 5-lock climb out of Chester, teaming up with Orlando aboard "Chadaway" - a far easier run for both of us. I managed to drop my phone into one of the locks - these locks are deep so no chance of getting it back . Clearing Christleton Lock, Orlando continued on his way, while we stopped to take water.
After watering, we continued on to Waverton, taking exactly the same mooring as on the way down. By this time, the sun had come out and we had a lovely evening.
| 4.45 miles | 8 locks | 4.78 hrs | 2.60 lmph |
| forgiving.holds.nozzles |
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A pleasant sunny morning, with a cooling breeze. Headed off by bus to the zoo. Had a good walk round, concentrating on the bat cave, red pandas, their new snow leopards and the penguins. The two pandas have been separated after the breeding season in case she is pregnant - Chester Zoo do not do pregnancy testing as it stresses the animals, and the gestation period is only 3 months. We noted that the monorail we saw last time here has been removed, They are working on a new project to create a "drive-through" African savanna where appropriate species will all be together as in the wild. Lunch was better than at Twycross. Recommend getting their free app for an interactive map - same platform as Twycross, providing similar functionality (great improvement on a paper map). If travelling by bus, the PR3 goes from Delamere Street (Tesco's) to the Zoo Park-&-Ride, DayRider ticket was £2.50 per person for the whole day.
Tired when we got back to the centre so skipped any plans for shopping and returned to "Paws" for a rest. Got a phonecall during the evening from Fhi to say she had found a fantastic deal on flights at the end of this month and would be coming for a holiday. Great news, and lookforward to seeing her.
Beautiful sunny morning, but turned out there was a cool breeze. "Barbarella" was quick off the mark today, passing us (arranged) at 09:15 (earlier than expected). They were stopping for water at Christleton Lock. We got on the move and followed them, catching them up while they were watering. Once we were all ready, we both let go and started the descent down to Chester. A great trip down, in good company, and working efficiently. Made good time down the 5 locks to the Northgate Staircase, but found a boat coming up. This then required us to wait for their ascent, then reset the staircase for a downward passage (drop both the middle and bottom chambers, keeping the top full). Takes a bit of time (about 30 mins), then we descended into Chester Towergate Basin and moored up for the day.
Had a late lunch, then I got the tickets and bus transport organised for tomorrow's visit to the zoo. Pat had got word during the morning that our friend Isobel had passed on overnight, and she spent time contacting friends and family, forwarding the news. Our thoughts and prayers with her family up at home.
| 5.94 miles | 8 locks | 3.58 hrs | 3.89 lmph |
| renew.arts.door |
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After a night of heavy rain, today dawned dull, damp and breezy. We had arranged to chum "Barbarella" down Wharton Lock so were ready by 09:30. Descended and continued westwards, agreeing to meet up tomorrow for the run down into Chester. A lovely run, with alternating vistas across the farmland and wide avenues between the trees. The sun broke through mid-morning and it started to heat up. Passed through the slow section at Golden Nook where there is over a mile of online private moorings at a farm, adding nearly ½-hour to the run. Arrived at Waverton but, despite trying several times, the sides had not been dredged for some time and "Paws" would not go alongside. Finally got a semi-decent bit west of Egg Bridge 119 and moored for the day.
Lunch on arrival, then Pat went up to the shops, while I caught up with the e-paperwork.
| 6.35 miles | 1 locks | 2.80 hrs | 2.63 lmph |
| forgiving.holds.nozzles |
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Another quiet night. A brighter morning, with occasional very light drizzle, clearing to sunny spells in the aftermoom. Stayed put for the morning so that we could link up with the All Saints (Doncaster) e-coffee meeting. Liz, John & Jane were on, with a newcomer from Doncaster, Matthew and his fiancée Donna - they get married this coming weekend. John & Jane announced that they would be selling "Ichthus" in the near future. (Fhi was missing as she was working.)
After coffee, we had a brief lunch and got on the move. We moved the ½-mile to the Bunbury Staircase and descended as "Jenny" was coming up (we passed in the middle) - we had previously met them in the Braunston area. We then continued down Tilstone and the two Beeston Locks. A boat had been leaving Beeston Stone lock and offered to wait and we could go down together. Unfortunately, due to the condition of Beeston Iron Lock, this couldn't happen (one boat only) so we both went our ways. Continuing on, we met up again at Wharton Lock where they were moored - it turns out that it was "Barbarella" with Peter & Noni whom we had seen on the recent Ch4 TV series "Great Escapes". We moored up and made arrangements to chum them down tomorrow morning.
Found once again that there was no communications (SatTV, DTV, phone or internet) at the mooring so diary and maps delayed to tomorrow.
| 3.22 miles | 5 locks | 2.62 hrs | 3.14 lmph |
| smaller.cornering.surpassed |
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A beautifully quiet night (after the road noise of Booth Lane for the last few days). Woke well refreshed, to a dull and damp morning. On the move fairly promptly to get to Calverley by lunch time. Arrived at Minshull Lock to find we were 3rd in a queue. Eventually ascended and continued through the beautiful countryside to Cholmondeston Lock, to find another queue to two. Ascended with the assistance of 2 CRT Volunteers, but by this time we were running about an hour behind our planned schedule.
Turned right towards Chester and continued to the Calveley Mill Shop where we moored for lunch at 13:45. Lunch not quite as good as usual, but still enjoyable. After lunch, we procured cheese from the shop, before moving the short distance forward to the Calverley services point. Put in a complaint that CRT's subcontractors for rubbish collection were not doing their job - bins unemptied. Once serviced, we continued round the corner to find a place to moor. Found it very busy, but did eventually get a spot further out amonst the overgrowth - not ideal but it would do us for one night. After light showers throughout the day, the cloud eventually cleared a little to sunny spells in the evening.
| 8.26 miles | 2 locks | 4.75 hrs | 2.16 lmph |
| headsets.fruitcake.ramp |
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