Adderley lock flight in the sunshine

Sunday, 29 March 2009 18:45

Hooray, the wind had dropped when we woke up. The sun was shining and it was a pleasant walk into Market Drayton for church. After the service we wandered back to Epiphany for lunch. Then it was time to move!

We needed to stop for water first but when we arrived there was a 4 boat queue for the only working tap. The other tap at Market Drayton (the one nearest the sani station) has lost its connector. John decided he would fiddle and try to get our hose connected. Meanwhile another boat arrived!

Eventually our hose was pushed onto the tap connector without a hozelock connector as this was the only way to get water without waiting for about an hour. We only took on a little as it was very slow, but we now have enough until we get to Audlem ...hopefully!

Passers by told us it was a difficult tap and had been for ages - why then has no one reported it? Or have they, and BW have not mended it yet? It really does need to be fixed otherwise it will be a real bottle neck in the summer. We'll be reporting it using NABO's reporting forum.

The canal was very busy - Sunday boaters and hire boats coming and going. We followed a boat to Adderley and were followed in our turn by a Napton hire boat. Never mind, the sun was shining, it was warm and the countryside was looking lovely once we got away from all the moored boats at MD !

The last of the Market Drayton bridges - Victoria Bridge

My tulips have suffered in the wind and the frost last night, they are looking a bit sad.

The boat in front of us winded at Adderley so we were able to go down without waiting. The Adderley locks can be very pretty in the Spring and Autumn - the only times we have done them!

The paddles and gates are well looked after so I worked most of them

Like Tyrley they have fierce bywashes that can take the unwary boater. The hire boat behind us was right on our tail - they had 4 crew! Eventually they came and helped us a little.

We moored at the botttom of the locks where there are lovely moorings

Unfortunately the tree, just visible in the above photo was in the wrong place! To get a satellite signal we had to move the boat back a few lengths. We wanted to see the F1 highlights, even though I know who had won! At long last, Jensen can show his talent again.

After temperatures of 19 degrees this afternoon it has rapidly cooled to 1 degree outside as I write. A frost again tonight?

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