Middlewich Festival.

We have had a great day wandering around the festival, despite it being a bit damp this morning, it did brighten up for the afternoon and the place started to fill up with people.

Keith.

Middlewich Festival

With the Middlewich Festival starting today, we are looking forward to it. Boats have slowly been gathering and we are expecting many more today. Last night we had a small gathering in The Boar’s Head Hotel.

Tonight we are returning there for a special gathering, and we have booked our hot pots.  Just before we set off for the pub yesterday, Brian & Anne Marie off of nb Alton delivered our new button fender, and today I have the task of fitting it, photos to follow.

Keith.

Into Middlewich.

The intention today was to move into Middlewich, in the vicinity of Bridge No.28 on the Middlewich branch, then into the town to shop at Tescos, then carry onto the T&M and northwards towards Anderton. We made it to Bridge No.28, moored and shopped at Tescos. With the shopping packed away in cupboards, freezers and fridge, we set off and joined the queue for Wardle lock. Having eventually got to and through the lock we started to come across boats moored on the T&M for the forthcoming festival.

As we got near the children's playground, we came across Roy on Gerald No.13 and he asked if we were stopping, so we did, and having done so we will probably now stop here for the festival, well at least till Sunday, when we will set of for Anderton ready to go down the lift Monday morning. We had a brief chat with Roy, before walking back to see Phyllis and Henry on Cactus to tell them we would be stopping, having told them we wouldn’t be when we passed them. This is the rather magnificent cratch board cover they have had made for Cactus for the Jubilee celebrations.

Whist chatting to them, Brian and Ann Marie came past on nb Alton, and he said our new button fender would be ready when the return to Middlewich on Friday. We look forward to seeing them then. This is Brian working on our fender.

We are looking forward to at least some of the festival, even if we leave early on the Sunday, we will at least get to see lots of friends, and enjoy some of the festival.

Keith.

Hurleston to Middlewich Branch.

Setting off down Hurleston locks.

Ex-lock keeper Linda and her husband helped us down through the four locks, apparently she still gets withdrawal symptoms and needs a lock fix every now and again.

Back onto the Shroppie and passing the Olde Barbridge Inn.

Queuing at Cholmondeston Lock on the Middlewich Branch, as per usual.

A tad on the wonky side at Chelmondeston lock.

Dredging works at the Venetian Marina below Chelmondeston lock.

With the new pontoons in place. During our journey past here to get to the Llangollen canal they were removing the old pontoons.

We have moored up between Hughes Bridge No.25 and Normans Bridge No.26 on the Middlewich Branch, ready to see if we can get a mooring in Middlewich tomorrow morning to go shopping in Tescos.

Keith.

Wrenbury to Halfway between Burland & Hurleston

A very dull and overcast morning’s journey to a 48hour mooring between Lee’s Bridge No.4 and Martin’s Bridge No.3 halfway between Burland and Hurleston. Wrenbury church as seen from the canal.

Leaking letter box!

Canada goose family, well half of the family.

Swanley Bridge Marina.

Whilst we were moored at Marbury for the Jubilee weekend, we were unable to get an internet connection. On the Monday we went for lunch at The Swan, and then joined in with the Jubilee Tea Party on the green in front of the pub, which was provided by the pub for the villagers. We were made most welcome. Even the village telephone kiosk had bunting on it.

Tables all set out ready on the green in front of the Mere.

Starting to lay the tables.

Some of the scrummy food to choose from.

Even a rabbit jelly!

Well done to Sally & Jonathon for such an amazing spread which was enjoyed by all. Plates of sandwiches kept coming out from the pub to top up what was already out. I shouldn’t have had that sticky toffee pudding with my lunch, I just didn’t have room for more than a couple of sandwiches and an iced bun.

Whilst moored at Marbury, we started to paint the inside of Hadar as the weather outside was too naff for painting the outside. The main target was the painted walls and ceiling in the galley and saloon, which had to be stripped all all the photos and fittings.

Although we have kept the saloon walls as white, we have done the galley walls in a very pale green, which looks a lot warmer now and not so clinical.

Keith.

Marbury to Wrenbury Mill

Having spent the Long Jubilee weekend at Marbury with no internet connection, we moved today to Wrenbury, where at least we have got a GPRS signal, enough to make a quick update, but will post a more comprehensive report when we get a decent 3G signal.

Keith.