Middlewich (Trent & Mersey Canal) to Bridge 26 (Middlewich Branch of Shropshire Union Canal)

We are moving on today and it is Harry’s first full day with us, he was really good in the night and we didn’t hear a peep out of him.

Harry and his pal

Coming into the first lock

The sun was shining as we left our mooring and it is really warm at the moment.  We chugged around the corner and stopped at the water point to fill up.

Up we go

My Little Helper!

We have a few locks to do today and the first three are close together and not far from the water point so Harry and I walked up to the lock. There were volunteers on today so that makes life easy.  There was a boat in front of us so they went through then we emptied the lock and it was our turn.

In Lock No. 3

Turning onto the Middlewich Branch

In Wardle Lock

I tied Harry to the lock beam and he was very good, just whimpered a bit but then it is only to be expected as this is all new to him.  Kev brought the boat into the lock and we filled it and soon we were up and going onto the next one, there was a volunteer on that lock as well so he got it ready for us and it didn’t take long to get through that one and then there was one more to go and a volunteer on that one as well so we had an easy passage through.

What a Handsome Boy!

We then chugged on and turned right leaving the Trent & Mersey canal behind us and went onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and into Wardle lock.

A boat came behind us and the chap came up and helped me so that was good.  We then chugged on under a few bridges and then came to Stanthorne lock.  A boat had just gone in and there was another waiting so we moored up and me and Harry went up to the lock.

Me and my Pal

Harry helping to steer!

The boat in front of us was a hire boat and they said we could go in first, well the chap did but the two ladies wanted to get on, they said that the boat that went in ahead of them had jumped the queue, it was all a bit confusing, but I told them to go first as we weren’t in a hurry and they were all on the lock and going to help us so they might as well get their own boat through.  There was a couple waiting to come down, so eventually it was our turn.

The chap who was behind us caught us up so he helped me with the lock and soon we were on our way again.

We went around the corner and moored up in the visitor moorings just after Bridge 26.  It is a nice open sunny spot.

We chilled out for a bit and then we went for a walk along the towpath.  It has been a really warm sunny day.  Harry seems to be settling in fine and after we came back from our walk, he crashed out in my chair, all the dogs we look after seem to do that and I get relegated to their basket!  Never mind we are glad he is settling in and feeling relaxed.

We are staying here tonight then on our way again in the morning.

Moored at Bridge 26