The Shady Oak, Tarporley to Calveley (Shropshire Union Canal)

Lovely sunset at Shady Oak

Passing the Shady Oak Pub

We are off to Calveley today and have six locks to do, two are in a staircase and the sun was shining as we set off along the canal to Wharton lock.  These are all double locks but there was no one around to share with so we did the lock on our own.

In Wharton Lock

We chugged on along the canal to Beeston Iron lock, it is recommended that you don’t share in this lock because of the iron plated sides.  There was a couple of boats in front of us but they soon went on.

In Beeston Iron Lock

Janet and Martin on April Lady who we shared the locks with coming out of Chester came up behind us so we said that we would wait for them at the next lock and then we could share.  The stretch of canal between the Iron and Stone locks at Beeston is really lovely and one of my favourite bits.

Lovely Stretch between Locks

We got to the next lock and a boat was coming down and it was a single hander so I gave him a hand and then another boat turned up so I told them that there was a boat coming behind us and did they mind if we waited for them to share the lock, they said they didn’t mind so we waited and after a bit Martin and Janet turned up and they came in the lock and up we went.

Sharing the Stone Lock

We let Martin go out first and we chugged on behind him.  

Coming into Bunbury Staircase

We got to the next lock and the boat that was in front of us was just going in so Martin went in with him. Janet did apologise and said that Martin should have let us go in first but I said that was okay, so they shared the rest of the locks together and we did them on our own, the story of our life we do a good deed and waited for them at the last lock and then end up dipping out, never mind.  As we were filling the lock, a lady came up to the lock and said oh are we too late, we said yes as the lock was half full, I think she thought we would empty the lock so they could share, she had to think again!

Going up the staircase

In the top lock

We got through this lock okay and then went on along the canal and then we came to the Bunbury Staircase of two locks.  Martin and the other boat were just going up and one was coming down so when they came out the bottom lock, Kev brought the boat in and when Martin and the other boat were out of the top lock,I emptied it into the bottom lock and we worked our way up the staircase.

We chugged on along the canal and moored in the visitor moorings at Calveley.  We had some lunch then went out for a walk along the towpath and it has stayed dry today even though they did forecast rain so we have been lucky.

We are staying here tonight then off again in the morning.

Moored at Calverley