...And finally...

TQ has arrived at Aqueduct Marina. Moored up on the fuel dock for diesel and pump-out, bought some Brasso and K99 and reversed over to our designated mooring spot.

We decided to start packing to see how we got on and if things went well we'd finish up and high tail it back to Droitwich to pick up our other car and head off home, which is what we did.

Lucy's happy to be home.

Nearly there.

I finished off the work on the locker covers this morning and we made our way slowly through Nantwich to the water point and filled the fresh water tank. We had to wait as there was someone already using it, but it was very pleasant waiting in the sunshine.

Once filled we proceeded along and as we left Nantwich it started to rain, and we were hit by a heavy squally shower and as we approached the Hurleston Junction we decided enough was enough and moored up and soon after the rain stopped! 😠

So we had lunch while we were here, just a bread roll and a coffee but we won't need feeding again until July!

We passed the Barbridge Inn 😟 and headed toward the junction where we turned right onto the Middlewich Branch, through the only lock of the day, Cholmondeston Lock, and moored up in open countryside, 360 degree views.

By the way the water point that was there is no longer, it has been removed because apparently it is too expensive to repair/replace. (What's that smell?).

It's chilly, smoke on.

We head off to Aqueduct Marina tomorrow, our new base for the foreseeable.

I just had to add these, they're one of the most spectacular phenomenon to be seen here in England.

We've stopped early

Slipped the moorings at around 09:00, passed through the two Hack Green Locks and arrived in Nantwich around 11:00 when it started to rain. I knew it was going to rain as I'd polished the starboard side yesterday evening, although it arrived later than expected.

We walked into the town to get some provisions and all the way out to T & G Builder's Merchant for some wood and screws to finish off the front and rear locker covers. I had to buy a piece of wood 2.4 metres long which was going to be a bit awkward to carry, so I asked if it could be cut in half. Without a tape measure to hand, I balanced it out and asked the chap to "cut it here". It was within a millimetre - engineer's eye! 😉

It's a long walk into the town centre, and a long walk from the town centre to the builder's merchant and our legs were aching a bit by the time we got back to TQ.

Later I cut the wood into four lengths and drilled some holes in them for the screws. Then I treated them with Cuprinol 5 star wood preserver and attached them to the underside of the covers.

Stops the lid sliding off when you step on it.

I just have to say:- Steak for dinner!

...And Lucy?

Shhh! Zedsville again.

Coole Pilate, odd name isn't it.

Late last night there were three pigeons wooing on the ridge tiles of the house opposite, two males and a female. (No surprises there). Two of them were walking along the ridge, the male struttin' his stuff behind the female. When they came to the end of the gable, Mrs. P turned around to Mr. P and gave him a right ear-bending, threatening him with her beak. He promptly flew off to see his buddy on the other part of the roof and gave him a proper head banging as if it were his fault. Very funny to watch, you couldn't make it up.

Anyway...

Unbelievably, we left Market Drayton at 06:30 this morning, just as it started to rain.

Made our way slowly through Betton Wood, but there was no sign of the Shrieking Spectre that is alleged haunt these parts.

Adderley locks, five in all, a piece of cake as they're well maintained but the rain, heavy at times, made the going soggy.

Then there's the Audlem fifteen, some being tricky with their fast by-washes, especially if you're coming up the flight. We stopped briefly to take on fresh water outside the Fly, then finished off the final three before proceeding on to Coole Pilate.

The rain has stopped now!

Lucy had fish for breakfast...

She's well away with the fairiezzzzzzzz!

Tonight's sunset.

Market Drayton

I love the Shroppie, quaint little villages and towns, and remote countryside all along a narrow corridor of water.

Taking on water at Goldstone Wharf.

Approaching High Bridge in Woodseaves Cutting.

Do you think I should take my chimney down, just in case...?

Lin lock wheeling again, this time on Tyrley Locks.

I thought this was a bit different, shame it turned out blurred.

Moored in Market Drayton.

I went for a walk in MD this afternoon, pretty little town if you go down the back streets. Later, Lin went shopping in Asda and then bought fish and chips for us and Lucy.

And this is the result, a clean plate and Zedsville.

More tomorrow.

Rain, sun and showers, and the Spanish GP.

Woke up in the night to heavy rain, and mooring under a tree didn't help, it made it sound heavier. And then there was the mess washed off the tree onto the boat, we left it to dry before cleaning it off, it made it much easier.

The day started with brilliant sunshine and warm with it too, but later it slowly clouded in and we had a few showers in the afternoon.

The obligatory photo of Bridge 39.

Before setting off I repaired the tunnel light. I thought the lamp had blown but further investigation showed a broken connection. The wiring had gone brittle inside so I replaced it with new and also with new connectors.

We left Wheaton Aston and chugged up the cut to Bridge 47 where there are ringed visitor moorings, and although the old Shroppie Shelf is here, it didn't pose a problem.

Along the way...

Norbury Junction.

It was packed with gongoozlers.

Settled in for the evening and watched a fairly exciting Spanish Grand Prix.

The beautiful Shroppie.

There's some lovely scenery along here, but before we arrived at Brewood there were loads of moored boats so it was tick-over all the way.

Through the lock and we filled with water and disposed of the rubbish, and then we pootled on up to Turners and filled with diesel. Well it would be rude not to at 58.9p a litre.

Shadey glade.

Leaning Ash Cutting

We managed to moor right opposite the pump on the 48hr visitor moorings, a nice spot handy for the Hartley Arms, need I say any more?

Our bow thruster has been making some odd noises lately, so I just had to investigate. When the impeller was replaced the weed hatch wasn't sealed and was suckling air in one direction. Now it's sealed and the odd noise has stopped.

Sealed properly.

I bailed out the water in the bow thruster hold and attempted to seal the lid with silicone. Don't know if it's going to work, we'll have to wait and see.

Zero miles, zero locks.

Didn't pull the pins today, it started raining at around 07:30 and didn't stop until lunchtime. Once they were dry I painted the cut edges of the locker tops with bitumen thinned with white spirit. They'll need a couple more coats.

New seating fore and aft.

Of course it's rained again since.

It's turned into a nice evening. 

People magnet again...

They kept a reasonable distance, though.

Looking a bit black over yonder!

Lucy...?

Ahh! Back to bed... ZZZ...zzz

"Just getting my head down".

More tomorrow.

Made it up onto the Shroppie.

We were approaching the stop lock when we were pipped at the post by another boat coming from the opposite direction. Instructions from she who is to be obeyed was to follow in but there was a boat coming on the other side of the lock. This meant I had to back out and moor on the Staffs and Worcs Canal and wait our turn.

Once through the lock, Lin went shopping in the quayside chandlers for some provisions but came out empty handed, (Yes! Result), while I moored up for water.

Now we're looking for some visitor moorings, and tried to get in on the first one we came to but we couldn't get close to the edge due to the infamous Shroppie Shelf, an underwater obstruction preventing boats getting close to the edge. Why? Who knows, I don't think it's on any other waterway.

The Shroppie Shelf, keeping boats away from the bankside.

I put out a spring line to help prevent passing boats moving ours and hitting the shelf, that would be annoying.

Settled in for the night with a bowl of chilli and a beer.

Lucy?

Zeds after her bowl of chilli.

Four miles and four locks.

Not far today, we're trying to work out a strategy for overnight stopping as there are parts of the canal ahead where we didn't ought to stop for the night.

Rain is forecast for tomorrow afternoon so a morning push is on the cards.

I sealed the flue where it joins the top of the stove, packed in some fire cement and topped it off with some high temperature silicone.

Fire cement is in...

...followed by silicone sealant.
Just needs a coat of paint.

I've also fitted new locker tops all round, just need to black the cut edges, and fit a piece of wood underneath to retain them in place.

It's been a lovely day, wall to wall sunshine.

Lucy slept through it all...

Just dozzzzing off!

That was a long and very enjoyable day.

We started out at 08:00 this morning and finished at 17:40, stopping only briefly at Tesco in Kidderminster.

Lincomb Lock was the first of the day, followed by the two staircase locks at Stourport. We were lucky here as the CART boys were going to close one of the locks and drain it to repair a paddle linkage, and we managed to get through in the nick of time.

Waiting for a boat to exit the lock at Stourport.

Excess water outflow.

This happens when the upper lock capacity is greater than the lower lock.

Lin lock wheeling.

More lock wheeling. York Street Lock this time.

From Stourport to Kidderminster and three locks later:-

Lin took this one from the boat, it's my turn to do some locks.

And in complete contrast from portrait to full landscape, here is the view from tonight's mooring:-

No caption required.

Oh! And Lucy?

She's had a tough day...zzz!

And then I took this by accident:-

Lovely jubly!

More tomorrow.

Stopped for the day.

What a day, thirteen locks, don't know the mileage, but have arrived at the Lenchford Inn on the Severn. Never stopped on the Severn before, as the moorings are always a bit uninspiring. Often made from scaffolding and covered in silt as they are here, but the pub is really nice, well worth a visit, and the food and ale is excellent.

Nice pub, iffy moorings.

View across the river from TQ.

We lit old flamey tonight, as it chilled down a bit with the wind still blowing, and it was appreciated by you know who, of course.

More tomorrow.

Tranquility is moving base - the start of a new adventure.

We managed to get ourselves aboard yesterday afternoon after a good journey up the M5. Lin had to work until 2 o'clock so i came up first with Lucy and Lin arrived later in her car with the fish and chips. Today we've been up to Aqueduct Marina to introduce ourselves and leave our car there, and then coming back to Droitwich in our other car, all done and dusted by 11:00 am this morning.

This is probably the last photo of TQ at Droitwich.

Then it was time to service the engine, oil and filter change, good for another 250 hours.

We've not cruised anywhere yet, not until tomorrow morning when we hope to make an early start. We're planning to go up the Severn, taking the scenic route to Stourport on Severn and joining up with the Staffs and Worcs Canal.

It's been a lovely day today, hot and sunny; and Lucy?

Doing the usual!

More tomorrow.