Audlem to Bridge 80 - Shropshire Union Canal

 

Friday 18^th to Wednesday 23^rd September

We stayed at Audlem for a few days and it was a lovely sunny weekend so we set up shop and we did really well selling several different lines, we both enjoyed it and Kev got a couple of orders so it was all good.  We also met our friends Jane, Malcolm, Dave and Anthea in the pub in the village, The Lord Combermere on Friday night and had a lovely meal and evening.

We are having Harry to stay for a few days so yesterday (Tuesday) Jane and Malcolm brought him down to us in the evening.  We love having Harry to stay so it will be a fun few days.

Today (Wednesday) we are on the move just two locks and about a mile to Bridge 80 by Overwater Marina as we are meeting Sheila and Tony there for brunch.

   

We were disappointed after the glorious weather of the last week to see it was raining.  It did ease off a bit and almost stopped about 9am so we decided to go.

The first lock was just down the towpath so I walked to the lock and Kev and Harry came with the boat.  We were soon through this lock and onto the last lock in the Audlem flight.

There was a boat coming up so we waited for them to come out the lock and then we went in.  Kev shut the gate and then we opened the paddles to empty the lock and the rain got harder and harder and we got soaked. 

    

When the lock was empty, I opened the gates and Kev went out and waited under the bridge for me.

I got on the boat and Harry and I went inside as it was still raining heavily.  We chugged past Moss Hall which is a lovely spot to moor and there were quite a few boats there.

We went on along the canal, past the marina, under Bridge 80 and moored up just past the bridge.  By this time the rain had eased off, typical pouring down when we were doing the locks and chugging along and stops when we moor up!

We dried out and got changed then walked up to the marina to meet Sheila and Tony.  As usual they were early and already there.

  

We had a lovely couple of hours eating breakfast, drinking coffee and chatting.  When we left the cafe, the rain had stopped and it had brightened up.  They had their dog Brock in the car, so Sheila and Brock walked up to the gate with us and Tony came in the car and picked up Sheila and Brock.  We said our goodbyes and they drove off and we walked back along the lane back to the boat but we will be back in Audlem next weekend so will meet up with them again then.

We are staying here tonight then in the morning we will move about another mile to Coole Pilate Leisure Area which is a nice place to moor with grassy areas and picnic tables and will stay there a couple of days before heading to Nantwich for the weekend.

Moored at Bridge 80