Monday 12th August 2013

The weather this morning was decidedly cool with a few showers but the temperature improved as the day went on and we are still wearing open sandals so it cannot be that cold. We have adapted to the healthy outdoor lifestyle and are really enjoying it. It will seem strange being back in a house again but I am sure that we will quickly get used to it. Yesterday I was chatting to an Australian couple at one of the locks. They have been here for 2 years. They bought a boat at the same Marina as we did and  actually lived there for one winter. They have been all round England on the canals and have already sold the boat as they return to Australia in September. What a great idea.

Today's journey took us down to Middlewich which we did in the extreme heat of 3 weeks ago. This mooring looked cheerful although the clouds look ominous. 

I thought that this was a salt processing plant when we passed last time but I'm not so sure now as it was raining slightly and the mountains of outdoor salt would just dissolve. Not sure what they are making here.

After racing the swans......

we turned left at the Middlewich Junction and headed up the very short Wardle canal (35m) and moored for the rest of the day. We had some admin to sort out and the cricket on the radio was rather compelling! We went out for a short walk and this is the view of the junction. A boat is just emerging from the Shropshire Union Canal which we turned into and where we are moored. The turn was quite tricky and not helped by the rush of water as the lock just round the corner emptied as it sent the boat backwards with force and the wind was blowing it sideways.

The junction was very busy and has been all the time we have been here. We're hoping the canal is not too busy as the whole of our journey has been quite quiet so far.