Audlem, between locks 3 and 2 to Market Drayton - Shropshire Union Canal

Tuesday 15^th and Wednesday 16^th October

Paul and Jess going by

Tuesday – We are on the move today and we had 7 locks to do.  As we were getting ready to go, Paul and Jess went by going the other way to us, we waved goodbye but I am sure our paths will cross again.

Coming into the lock

Massive clump of grass

We then set off from our mooring and although it was very overcast and damp it was dry.  We were soon at the lock and got through there okay and went on to the last lock in the Audlem flight.

Audlem Top Lock

I emptied the lock and Kev came in and soon we were going up the lock.  As we were waiting for the lock to fill, we saw a massive clump of grass which had obviously come loose from the bank of the canal coming towards the lock and it wedged itself into the top gate which was a problem for us as we would have to remove it to open the gate and get the boat out of the lock.

Wooded Section

We could have taken the easy option and just pushed it to one side to either go down the by-wash and block it or maybe go round someone’s prop so Kev took the hard option to get it out onto the towpath.  Luckily a hire boat turned up and the chap helped Kev.  It was a struggle as there was as much soil underneath the water as there was reeds on top and so they had to try and split it up and after a good half an hour and much pulling, grunting and swearing they got it all out.  Really hard work but a good job done and by this time a three boat queue had formed, oh well that’s the joys of boating.  On reflection maybe we should have staked it and tied it to the bank and rang the Canal and River Trust to remove it, if we come across another one that size we will do that.

Coming into Adderley Locks

We then headed on along the canal and after a mile or so we came to the Adderley flight of locks of which there are five.  A boat had just come out so the locks would be set for us.

We got through the first lock okay and on we went to the next lock.  These locks are close together so I can walk from one to the next.  They are also not very deep so they don’t take long to do.  There was a couple of boats coming down so that helped as well.

Going up the locks

These locks have steps at the bottom of the lock so Kev brings the boat to the lock and let’s it go in the lock as he steps off and takes a rope with him and then he does one side and I do the other, saves me having to go from one side of the lock to the other to shut the gates and open the paddles.

This system was going well until we got to the last but one lock.  Kev got off as normal and went up the steps onto the lock and usually the boat carries in into the lock and Kev just helps it along with the rope, but not this time the boat started going backwards, he has left it a touch in reverse oops!

Nearly at the top

Adderley Top Lock

I went down to the back of the boat to try and get on but the gap was too big for me to step across, meanwhile Kev was having real trouble holding onto the rope so I went round to where Kev was and hung onto the rope while Kev quickly went down the steps and managed to get back on the boat and put it in neutral, disaster averted!

Nice Morning

Coming to a Bridge

A boat had turned up waiting to go down so the lady saw all this going on, she probably thought Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb were coming through!  We were soon up the lock and onto the last one where I am glad to say no more mishaps!

Coming to Market Drayton

We chugged on a few more miles and then was approaching Market Drayton where we moored up.  In the afternoon, we went for a walk into the town and went to The Red Lion which is a Joules Brewery pub and the brewery is behind the pub.  It is a lovely old pub which dates back to 1623. 

The Red Lion

Lovely Oak Panelling

There is a room called the Brewers Hall or Mouse room and has fantastic Mouseman oak panelling on one wall carved by Robert Mouseman’ Thompson of Millburn.  His signature is a mouse carved into the wood and on this panelling there are 7 carved mice and the only nodding mouse the Mouseman has ever crafted.  There are also 3 Mouseman church pews and some furniture from Mouseman apprentices known as the Yorkshire Critters who each carved  their signatures (Gnomes, Beavers and Lizards).  It is such a lovely room and we had fun looking for all the mice, we found them all with a little help from one of the staff.

There's a Mouse

There's another one!

As it is an old pub, there are lots of little nooks and crannies to sit in.  Also on the wall there are paintings of Monks done by Andrew Tift to represent the trades which came together to build the brewery.  They are dressed as Monks because they first started the brewery many years ago.  The paintings are fantastic and look like photos, Andrew Tift is certainly talented.  Also in the bar there is the original well.  It is now glazed over and you can stare down to the illuminated watery depths below.  The well is fed by an aquifer that runs between Stone and Market Drayton, the very water that Joule’s brewed with at the 2^nd and 3^rd Brewery and today at their 4^th site.

The Monks

In addition to brewing ale of which Kev tried their Pure Blonde, they also brew their own English craft lager Green Monkey so Kev had that as well.  I had gin as they had a large selection. I tried Sir Robin of Locksley raspberry and Chase Grapefruit and Pomelo and lovely they both were.

We then went to the Bamboo Garden Chinese and got a takeaway for our tea, it was really good. We are staying here for a couple of days now.

Market Drayton Market

Wednesday – There is a market in the town today so we walked up to have a look.  There was quite a few stalls today maybe because it was dry and the sun was shining.  We had a good look around and bought a couple of things.  We also met Jane for coffee, it was nice to see her again and have a catch up.

We were going back to the boat but decided to call in again to the Red Lion as it is such a nice pub, no alcohol today though, just lime and soda and coffee and a couple of starters as snacks.  We then headed back and just chilled out for the rest of the day.

Moored at Market Drayton