Cheshire, eventually: Day 12

The first confirmation that the tree blocking the canal had been cleared came from a boat which came past just before 8pm last night.  This morning boats started coming past at around 6am, trying to make up for lost time.  We set off at about 8.15, heading initially only for Brewood, where Keith Wilson was coming to fit the new cratch cover.  We got there in about 45 minutes, and found plenty of mooring space.  We had enough time to go to the Co-op for some food shopping.  The village is really nice; just up from the canal is a house with a lovely garden, and plants for sale.

In the centre of the village is Speedwell Castle.

Keith arrived at 10, and set to work.

It took about an hour and a half to fit the new cratch cover, but at least the moorings there are in a cutting so we avoided the worst of the day’s heat.  When we set off again, the first significant feature was the Stratton Aqueduct over the A5.

The Shroppie alternates between cuttings, which were really nice today — dappled sunshine and relatively cool — and long straight embankments.

We had lunch on the move, did the one lock of the day at Wheaton Aston, and then topped up the water tank (we’d begun some washing before setting off from Brewood).  Then we went to Turner’s for diesel, and for those interested in such things the price was 86.9p, which is significantly more than the 81p we paid at Shobnall.

Cowley Tunnel is the only one on the Shroppie and is hewn out of the rock.  

On the other side, we said hello to our friends Sharon and John and their new-to-them boat.  Further along is another interesting garden, and it seems the house is for sale if you fancy taking it on.

It turned out Sharon and John were heading to Norbury Junction to turn around.  We had moored at Norbury, and when they arrived we suggested a drink.  The pub is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, so we got the chairs out on the towpath and had G&Ts and crisps and a good catch up.  A big plus was that they took our old engine oil to add to a future tip run — for which we are very grateful.

12 miles, 1 lock.  (88 miles, 108 locks)