Going in Marina, Dad's Memorial Day and Mooring at Moss Hall - Shropshire Union Canal

Sunday  5^th to Sunday 12^th May

Sunday – Jane invited us to her house for a roast dinner, Sheila & Tony was there and Malcolm managed to finish early and so we were all together, it was delicious, Jane is a great cook and always feeds us so well.

Now where's that Kev!!

At the Bottom Lock

Monday – We took the boat into the marina and had two locks to do from where we were moored, they are not deep locks and we were soon through them and on our way to the marina.  Jane and Harry came with us,  so when we had moored up in our allocated space which I have to say was not the best spot as the moorings rings were in funny places and didn’t fit our boat but Kev managed to get the rope around the wood.

Going into the Marina

Moored in the Marina

We then went and had breakfast in the café and it was really good.  Jane then walked back to Audlem with Harry and we went back to the boat.

Me, Mave & Dad

Steam Train

Us Sisters & Dad

Tuesday to Thursday – We went back to Weston and stayed at my friend Davinas.  We have come down as we are scattering my dad’s ashes on Wednesday. My sister’s Carole, Janet and Lesley and my two brother-in-law Chris and Les and me and Kev and Mavis, my dad’s partner got the steam train from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet, it is the West Somerset Railway. We were originally going to Minehead but there was a problem with the track so the train could only go as far as Watchet.  My dad loved the steam train and so we thought it fitting to take him for one last trip.

All of Us

We scattered him on the rocks and beach and then had a nice lunch.  It was a lovely day, very emotional but my dad would have enjoyed it and I wanted to make a memory of dad day which we did.  

On the Beach

Thursday morning when we were getting up, there was a heron on the roof of the house opposite, I think our guide had come to lead us back home to the boat!!

Our Guide waiting to show us the way!

 We got back to the boat Thursday afternoon after visiting my nephew Nick and his wife Narissa who has cancer and is in a hospice but is doing unbelievably well and hopefully will be back home very soon.  It was lovely to see them both.

Gordanneus Crafts Sign

View from our Mooring at Moss Hall

Friday – We left the marina but before we did, we had breakfast in the café with Sheila & Tony.

Saturday – We went shopping in Nantwich to stock up on supplies and Jane kindly drove us there and back, we had a lovely morning browsing around the shops and market.

Sunday – We are having a day on the boat doing chores and Kev is making his wall art and craft ware.  Kev has bought a scroll saw and is busy making all kinds of things which hopefully we can sell and make a few bob. 

We are now moored at the bottom of the Audlem flight of locks and will stay around here this week, it’s a lovely area and we can get a bus to Nantwich or Whitchurch and also see our friends so a good place to stay around.

Moored at Moss Hall

Audlem (Between locks 2 & 3) to Audlem (Below Shroppie Fly) - Shropshire Union Canal

Saturday 4^th May

Today we are off down the Audlem locks, probably doing 11 today and hopefully mooring before the last two locks.  It was a dry morning and the sun was out, but boy was it cold, more like December than May.

Little House on the lock

Starting down the flight

There was a boat in front of us going down the locks, so we waited for them to leave the lock, then we filled it back up and soon we were into the next lock.

The flight was very quiet and no one came behind us and we only met two or three coming up.

Lots more to do

On down the flight we go

The Shroppie Fly Pub

We worked our way down and unfortunately most of the locks were against us, so we had to fill them up before we could go in.  It is a nice flight of locks so we don’t mind doing them and after a couple of hours we were coming to the Shroppie Fly pub and hopefully the last lock for us.

Nearly Down

I checked the moorings below the lock and there was spaces so we went through the lock and moored up in the visitor moorings.

Little Harry

In the afternoon, we walked to our friends Jane’s house.  Their little dog Harry who comes and stays with us was very pleased to see us especially Kev.  He is a lovely dog and full of beans and likes to play, it was so lovely to see him again and Jane of course.  

Our other friends who live locally Dave and Anthea turned up, so great to see them again and we had a lovely afternoon and evening together catching up and having lots of laughs.  Jane did us all a great buffet tea and had made one of her delicious Victoria sandwich cakes so of course we had to have a piece of that!  Unfortunately we didn't get to see Malcolm again as he was working and didn’t finish until after 11pm!

Moored in Audlem

Adderley (Bottom of Locks) to Audlem (Between Locks 2 & 3) - Shropshire Union Canal

Friday 3rd May

We are moving on today just a mile or so to between locks 1 and 2 on the Audlem flight.

Coot

It was dry but quite overcast and chilly as we set off along the canal.

Under a few bridges and then we were approaching the top of the Audlem locks.

Lots of Trees

At the top lock, there is a house that has a little stall selling home-made cake, biscuits, cold drinks, ice creams and cream teas without the tea in a bag.  We bought some shortbread biscuits then set about getting the lock ready.  We were soon through there and onto the next one.

Stall by the Top Lock

We didn't take long to get through that lock either and Kev chugged on to the moorings while I shut the gates.

In Audlem Top Lock

In Lock No. 2

Out He Comes

In the afternoon, we walked down the locks and into the village and up to Sheila & Tony’s bungalow.  This evening we are all off to the Marina for a meal as once a month they have a “dinner party” which is what Sheila called it and Kev thought it was black tie!!, really it’s just a two course set meal and you take your own drinks.  Sheila and Tony’s granddaughter, Lauren helps to run the café and they make most of the food themselves.

We had a nice afternoon and had tea and cake and a G&T.  They have a lovely dog called Brock and he loves Kev and wants to play all the time, so Kev kept Brock occupied.

Our "Dinner Party"

We then drove up to the marina. Ruth and Michael (Sheila and Tony’s son and daughter in law) and our friend Jane (another daughter in law) were joining us. Her hubby Malcolm is a farmer and unfortunately this time of year is always working so couldn’t make it.  Jane didn’t know we would be there so she was very surprised to see us but pleased and we all had a lovely evening together and the food was excellent, we had Turkey and Ham Pie with mashed potato and I had Eaton Mess and Kev had Eve’s Pudding for dessert.

Sheila &Tony dropped us back at the boat after we got a bit lost in the lanes and ended up in a farm yard at one point, we did have a laugh but we got there in the end, everything looks different at night and it was very dark!

Off to the Moorings

Market Drayton to Adderley (bottom of locks) - Shropshire Union Canal

We are on the move today and it is supposed to be dry until this afternoon but the sky doesn't look too sunny so we shall see!

Leaving Market Drayton

We moved along to the services and filled up with water and got rid of rubbish then we set off along the canal saying goodbye to Market Drayton.

Unusual Duck

Another Bridge

We went under several bridges and passed a row of moored boats and along a wooded section and after about three miles we were at the top of the Adderley flight of five locks and guess what, it started raining, it was only a shower but pretty heavy and then the sun came out.

Dark Sky's Today

It's getting darker

Our Guide

We had to fill the top lock as it was empty so while I was doing that, Kev went and set the next lock for us.  There is a farm by the top lock and they have a stall by the lock, there was a few things there, eggs, cakes and pork pies.  We usually go down to the farm as they sell their own reared pork and lamb, but we are off back to Weston next week for a couple of days so don't need too much food.

Off He Goes

We went down this lock and the next one okay, there was a boat coming up, so we waited for them to come out the third lock and in we went.

Adderley Top Lock & Stall

Down the locks we go

They had left the gates on the fourth lock open so Kev went in and soon we were down and coming out the lock.  There was a boat waiting to come up, so we left the gates open for them and went on to the last lock.

Passing in the lock pound

I opened the gate and Kev took the boat in and then I opened the paddles and down the boat went.  I opened the gates and Kev went onto the moorings at the bottom of the locks while I closed the gates.  

Cowslips on the lock

Whats down there then!!

We had a couple more showers while we were coming down the locks but we didn't get too wet.

Heading to the moorings

We moored up and went inside and had our lunch and it rained really hard for a while, but later in the afternoon the sun came out and it dried up.

It’s a nice spot here where we are moored. We are moving on at the weekend to Audlem and looking forward very much to seeing our Audlem family, should be fun!

Moored at Adderley

A few days in Market Drayton & Visit to Shrewsbury

Monday 29^th April to Wednesday 1sy May

Monday – We walked up into the town and looked around the shops and got a few things, we went for a coffee and then walked back to the boat.  We just chilled out in the afternoon and did a few jobs.

Birds Nest Cafe in the Market Hall

Tuesday – We are off to Shrewsbury today on the bus, so we walked up to the bus stop which is not far from the canal and got the 164 bus which when it gets to Market Drayton bus station changes to the 64 which goes to Shrewsbury.  The journey is about an hour.

Shrewsbury

Market Hall

When we got to Shrewsbury we had a wander around the shops then went to find the Specsavers as we are both having an eye examination today as we are both due one and they are doing it for £5. We both needed new glasses so we picked some out and are having them sent to their branch in Nantwich as we are heading that way and away from Shrewsbury, we didn't know they would do that, but that works out well for us.

Market from the Top Level

We then went to look around the Market Hall, it is up stairs to the first level and there is also a top level.  It’s a great place to wander around and had several eating places and even a gin bar, but we kept out of there as we didn't want to miss the bus back!!

Old Alleyway

We had lunch in one of the cafe called The Bird Nest, it was really trendy and not your usual market café, a really nice place.

Bear Steps

Laura's Tower

We had a good look around the Market then went back out into the main shopping street.  There was a craft place which sold material among lots of other things and we found some material we liked at a good price, we want to make some new covers for the dinette so we bought it.

Shrewsbury Castle

Views from here

We then walked up to the Castle and went into the grounds.  There is a path up to Laura’s Tower (not sure who Laura was), so we walked up there and there was lovely views as it was quite high up.

Mummy Blackbird

We then walked back down and sat in the gardens until it was time to go and get the bus.  While we were sat there, a male and female blackbird came very close, they seemed almost tame and a robin flew down and hopped around by us, I think if I had some bread, he would have fed from my hand.

Daddy Blackbird

We got the bus back to Market Drayton and went in the Bamboo Garden Chinese takeaway to get our tea.  We have had food from this Chinese before with our friends in Audlem and its always been very good.  We quickly walked back to the boat and we weren't disappointed with our Chinese, it was as good as before.

Very Friendly Robin

Wednesday – Market day, so we walked up to the town and had a look around the various stalls and bought one or two things.  We went for a coffee in one of the cafes which we haven't tried before and it was a very nice place.  It was called The Townhouse and lunch menu looked good so when we are next this way, we will try it for lunch.

We were going to move on today, but the forecast was for rain and after we got back to the boat it did rain for a bit, but then cleared up.  We decided it was too late to move so we are now going in the morning hopefully by about 9am as we have a few miles and five locks to do so let’s hope it will be dry.