Thursday 31st October 2019



The cabin side was washed and polished to have at least one side looking good for our entry into Middlewich. After visiting the service point at Wheelock and doing another wash, we set off for the run-in. Skirting around the back of Wheelock, Sandbach and Elworth we were surprised to see the amount of new housing that has appeared at the western end of Wheelock since we left the area in July of last year. This was a new development when we left with the site just being levelled, now the majority of the housing seems to be lived in.

Crow’s Nest Lock is very much a hidden world with the mill alongside it, and the canal then runs parallel to the Middlewich-Sandbach road, where we were again, surprised to see a ¾ story apartment block nearing completion on the old Murgatroyd Chemical Works site.

After Rump’s Lock it was a short distance to Cledford Bridge, where we moored opposite Tracey’s and the grandkids house on Booth Lane. The intention was to arrive without telling them and see how long it took them to notice us, but it was largely spoilt as Eva was at her dad’s and Manny was waiting in for a delivery for us.

It did feel funny returning to Middlewich, our home for 20 years, and the home of our grandchildren and numerous friends. I felt as though I was coming home after a particularly long trip.

It was great to see Manny, and of course he has grown since we last saw him. He made us a cup of tea, our first off him, and our delivery then arrived, two new reclining armchairs from Midland Chandlers. We have never been 100% happy with the armchairs we started with, they are too big for the boat and, while they look good, they are not particularly comfortable. We then spent an hour or so swapping the armchairs for the boxed recliners. While all this was taking place, the fuel boat Hassall appeared and we topped up with fuel.

One of the reclining chairs was assembled before we went to the much-changed Kings Lock with Martin, Michelle and Abbey. It was great to catch up.



Weather: a nice sunny day. 



Day Total: 4 locks; 5 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 2.4

Overall Total: 810 locks; 1374 miles; 53 tunnels; 61 Swing Bridges; 17 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 874.5




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