Let's all lock together when we go!

The weather is looking yucky!

Mornings are good, the afternoons wet and thunderstorms are threatened! So we decided to move a little bit to another lovely location with a view! The Middlewich Branch could be called the canal with "location, location, location"!

But first we had to run the gauntlet of Bank Holiday narrowboat queues. Church Minshull Lock was the hold up - we were fourth in the queue to go down. But below the lock was a different story!

narrowboat queuePatience is a virtue - if you move on BH's

We wondered if they were all coming out of Aqueduct Marina as most of them were "private" narrowboats. We were crewed through the lock by the eager beavers who wanted to hurry everyone up!

Moored below the lock was Motor Ultima and Butty Thule who passed us in the pouring rain yesterday. We last saw them on the Bridgewater Canal last autumn.

pair passingUltima and Thule

I love the traditional elum (tiller) and rudder on Thule, but would not want the work to keep it looking so smart!

elum on Thule

We were not sure whether these anglers were coming or going, but they certainly required eveything but the kitchen sink to pursue their sport/hobby.

anglersWhat a weight to carry around

The Middlewich Branch crosses the River Weaver, a little more "grown up" than the infant river we crossed below Audlem locks. It is not long before it becomes the navigable river we so enjoyed late April last year.

over the WeaverCrossing the River Weaver

There is some strange wildlife around here - pretty but inanimate!

parrot

We were approaching Church Minshull, another of Tom Rolt's haunts. He stayed on narrowboat Cressy, moored above the village for quite a while enjoying the views across the Weaver valley towards the village. We are not afraid of copying good ideas so we stopped too!

Church MinshullChurch Minshull from the canal

The village has lost it's post office and shops and now the attractions are the church and some of the timber framed houses. It is a bit of a walk from our mooring so I did a virtual "walk" on the village photo album.

Middlewich Branch (Shropshire Union Canal), Cholmondeston to Church Minshull, Eardswick Hall Bridge 13

1hour 59minutes, 2.64 miles, 1 lock

Add comment

We do not post anonymous comments or blatant advertising - so don't waste your time!


Security code
Refresh

Blog Calendar

  • 2012 (154)
  • 2011 (387)
  • 2010 (376)
  • 2009 (453)
  • 2008 (116)
  • Click above for a map

    Visitors

    638919
    TodayToday352
    YesterdayYesterday2522
    This weekThis week5828
    This monthThis month36038
    Copyright © 2012 Narrowboat Epiphany: cruising the UK's inland waterways: rivers and canals. All Rights Reserved.
    Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.