Thursday 4th October 2012

Thursday 4th October

The batteries were ok when I got up to make cups of tea this morning. However they deteriated fairly quickly after turning the power back on. So, the engine was running whilst we had breakfast. It does disturb the peace and quiet.
We set off past the big sign for the Secret Nuclear Bunker. We have been round this museum before. It used to be a Secret Nuclear Bunker back in the cold war days. It is really very interesting and well worth a visit if you are ever travelling along the Shroppie. Today also we didn't think it warranted a further visit.

On the towpath at Nantwich

We went down the two Hack Green locks, both of which we had to fill first, then pootled along to Nantwich where we moored up. We went and bought a chimney at the chandlers there. Whilst waiting for the water point to come free we spent a pleasant half an hour in the autumn sunshine reading the Towpath Telegraph, drinking tea and feeding the ducks.
We then filled up with water and disposed of rubbish then headed off still northbound, closely following an Anglo Welsh hire boat. This hire boat was going very slowly. In the end they pulled over to let us past. This is only the second time I have ever done an overtaking manoeuvre in a narrow boat.
At Barbridge we turned right onto the Middlewich Branch. The locks on this branch seem extremely deep (11' 3") compared to the 6 or 7 feet we had become used to on the main line of the Shroppie.
We are now moored up near bridge 22 about three miles from Middlewich. 
Chicken Risotto for tea cooked by Pip. It was of course yummy! 
Cleaning day tommorrow, never our favorite day of the holiday!

Summary:

14 miles, 4 locks, 1 helicopter, 1 new chimney, lots of trains, another electrical failure.