Welsh waters: Day 28

There was quite a bit of rain yesterday evening and some very heavy bursts overnight, but this morning was lovely — sunny, chilly, and still.  We seemed to be in no rush to get away, and it must have been well after 9 when we finally set off.  Through the next bridge, a fishing match was setting up, stretching right along to Marbury Lock.

As we descended the lock, a boat arrived to come up so we could leave the gates open.  At the lift bridge by the garden centre, a boat ahead of us lifted the bridge, and one coming the other way also came through.  They were then stopping for the cafe, so by the time we got to the electric lift bridge we were on our own.

There were seven hire boats at Wrenbury Mill, compared with zero last time we came past.

Much to our surprise, there was only one boat moored between the Mill and the next lift bridge, and then just a couple more beyond.  A little further out, we passed Sandra and Barry on AreAndAre.  At Baddiley Locks, there was a boat coming up the top lock and another waiting behind them.  The middle one needed filling, but there was a boat coming up the bottom one.  We carried on just a short way to the Baddiley moorings we used on the way up.

Last time we were here we walked to have a look at Baddiley Church.  This time we headed across the fields on the towpath side, to have a look at the village of Ravensmoor.  There’s not much there, but I did like this outside one house.

We came back via different paths to a different bridge.

5 miles, 4 locks.  (108 miles, 52 locks)

Welsh waters: Day 2

We thought we might look out for the northern lights as we went to bed last night, but it was unexpectedly chucking it down, so no chance of seeing anything.  This morning was a beautiful one, still and sunny.  I had an interview to do at 9am for a future podcast, which should have been in person but ended up being over WhatsApp audio.  Once that was done, I walked round to Hurleston Locks, while Adrian brought the boat.

We were following a boat up, but also swapped with one above the bottom lock, and another below the top lock, where the pound is really very short.

Then we moved onto the water point to fill the tank and get some washing going.  The boat in front was Merlin, an Anglo Welsh hire boat, which happens to belong to Ian and Irene of Free Spirit.  They had also stopped for water, but then just sat there for some reason (maybe they were having breakfast or something) and then set off about 30 seconds before we did.  It has to be said that their steering requires a little more practice!

We stopped briefly at Swanley Bridge Marina to enquire about winter moorings (none left, as it happens).  We’re not sure what to do for the winter, whether to stay out on the cut, or have a base we can use.  There are arguments for both.  The first Swanley Lock is just round the corner, and a boat was coming out and Merlin about to go in.  Adrian then had to turn the lock for us, and again at the next one.  The Merlin people were looking for a village for lunch, and it seemed to be news to them that there were another three locks before Wrenbury.  We pulled in at the Baddiley moorings, between Bridges 12 and 13.

After lunch, we walked to the tiny St Michael’s church at Baddiley.  To get there, we went down to Bridge 13, which you have to cross.  I’m always surprised at how different bridges are when you see them from the land side; this one has barriers with a stile, and is overgrown.

Then we walked across the fields and found the church.  Part of it dates from 1308, which must be the bit at the back.

We walked across different fields on the way back, returning to Bridge 12.  This involved crossing a field of cows.

This afternoon’s promised rain hasn’t arrived, but tomorrow’s forecast is pretty bad.  But of course these days if we don’t like it, we can stay put!

4 miles, 6 locks.  (11 miles, 6 locks)