Monday 31st July 2017

Wedding anniversary day ( 41 years) and no rain! We cruised round the corner in Middlewich to fill with water before heading for the first of the 3 locks. So many boats! There were hires returning after the weekend and boats going in both directions. Although we are now in narrow lock territory - the first of this holiday - the paddles seemed much harder than on the Leeds and Liverpool although on the latter half of the ground paddles were not working. It's uphill locks at the moment until we reach Stoke.

Someone must live on this double decker as their wardrobe was on the top deck.

Every time we pass I think that this is a salt works but why hasn't it dissolved in the rain?

As we approached Wheelock I noticed a different flower display.

The Italian restaurant in Wheelock is often 'changing hands' or closed due to a fire. Today it is open so we are treating ourselves to a meal out. We had thought of continuing for a while longer but the sky is overcast and we know that there is no good mooring for at least 9 locks!