Hassall Green to Wheelock (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Into first lock of today

Off to another lock we go

Paired locks in a lovely setting

We have another 10 locks to do today then we will be down the bottom of Heartbreak Hill and the sun was shining as we set off.  The first lock was a single lock and there was a boat coming up so they came out and we went in, then another boat came down behind us so that was lucky, we couldn’t have timed it better.

Lock by M6 Motorway

Most of the other locks were paired ones there was only one or two that were single and they were set for us so we made good progress through them.  We met a couple of  boats coming up but generally the canal was very quiet.

Lots of excess water today!

Last Lock in the Flight, hurray!

There was a huge amount of water going down the locks though, we think they must be moving water or something as last time we came up these locks the pounds were almost empty and we kept getting stuck on the bottom, none of that this time in fact at some of the locks, the water was running over the gates.

Getting ready to whack the ball

We worked our way down the flight and before we knew it, we were coming out the bottom lock and we moored just along from there in the visitor moorings.

Kev whacking the ball

We had lunch then went for a walk into Wheelock, there isn’t much there, a corner shop, a pet store and an Italian restaurant on the canal which was closed, I think it only opens in the evenings.

We then walked back to the canal and sat for a bit but only one boat came by.  We then remembered that up a few locks at Malkin Bank there was a Golf Club, so we decided to walk back up there, so off we went.

Yes, I hit it!!!

The Golf Course

Signs for Golf Club on Towpath

It was a really nice place and we then discovered much to our delight that they had a driving range so we went into the office and asked if non members could use it and they said yes and then we asked if they had any clubs we could use. They found us a couple so we got a basket of balls and off we went to the driving range and had a good time whacking the balls down the green, it is such fun.

After that we went into the club house and got a coffee and then sat on the balcony overlooking the course and watched a few people play as it was such a lovely sunny warm afternoon.

We then walked back down the locks to the boat.  We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow as we are going to walk to Sandbach which is not far away and is a really nice town.

Moored at Wheelock