Monday 20th January 2020



We had first arrived back in Middlewich for the winter on 31st October and have been in the town since then apart from a few runs to Anderton and an extended trip into Chester. So a total of 59 days of the last 83, have been spent here. We have coined a phase that we seem to just ‘live on a boat’ whenever we are stationery like this for extended periods, and neither of us particularly enjoy it.

While it has been convenient, and made easier being able to use the facilities at the Middlewich Narrowboat site, we are well ready to move on. It has been really good being close to the grandkids and catching up with the friends we have seen, but we have overstayed a lot, although with CRT approval. There are still a few jobs to do at Tracey’s and we are still waiting on medical appointments for myself, so we will have to remain in the general area but we now regard ourselves as cruising again.

After accompanying Tracey to a builder’s merchants and a visit from Pete, we left the mooring, reversing down to the junction below Kings Lock. It felt good to be out from under the canopy at Middlewich Narrowboats if nothing else.

Ever since moving into Middlewich 20 years ago, the view from Wardle Lock down the canal has always been fascinating, beneath Sutton Lane, St. Annes Road and Long Lane bridges before the canal turns the corner in the distance and disappears from view.




Looking back from Long Lane Bridge towards Wardle Lock




Tranquil Mooring on the Middlewich Branch



Similarly, Stanthorne Lock is a pretty, peaceful setting just outside the town. Then follows familiar countryside with patches of thin ice on the canal, beneath the railway lines of the busy Main West Coast Line, the views over Winsford Top Flashes, past the renovated canalside cottage and stables before passing through the remains of the swing bridge at bridge 17 and mooring just before the winding hole, behind Kenny and Sue who had left Middlewich on Saturday.

Ever since we changed our internet provider and now get unlimited access, we binge watch far too much TV. I tend to spend a lot of time on the lap top either updating the blog and diary or researching the family trees and the TV interferes greatly. Four more episodes of ‘Bloodlines’ watched today.



Weather: a clear, cold day. 



Day Total: 2 locks; 4 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 1.8                        

Overall Total: 863 locks; 1493 miles; 53 tunnels; 61 Swing Bridges; 17 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 988.1              (including 15.3hrs running for battery charging and hot water)






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