Gunshots at the Nuclear Bunker

Lock  below Audlem filling

Having decided to turn for home the weather was lovely. Though cold, the sky was cloudless and there was no wind. The fire soon fixed the cold problem and it had warmed up considerably by the time we set off.

The restored mill

It didn’t take long to reach Nantwich where we passed loads of moored boats on the embankment. There were more boats moving due to the cloudless sky but we still didn’t queue for the two Hack Green locks.

The Captain  wanted to moor above the locks to visit Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker but the sound of  guns blew towards us. Lottie trembled. She hates bangs so we cruised on into a chilly head wind. The gunfire grew louder then faded away without us seeing anything so we thought they were coming from a firing range hidden behind the trees. By the time we had reached the last of the Coole Pilate moorings we  were out of earshot so we moored up for an early lunch rather than head into a 15 lock flight.

The Captain  seemed happier now that we were headed for home in pleasant weather.

the Shroppie Fly...

We set off again in full sunshine just after 1.00 intending to stop in  Audlem to buy a few essentials. The last time we passed through there was nowhere to stop as all Audlem’s moorings were reserved for working boats, many of which had arrived for a festival. This time we moored just beyond the picturesque Shroppie Fly for an easy amble into town.

As we were about to move off a hire boat passed us so we had to wait for it to lock up. This took longer than usual as the skipper edged into it too slowly allowing the vicious side-wash to pin the boat  against the piling opposite. Once clear of the lock the crew moored up and wandered down to the pub.

...from our  moored boat

peaceful town today

The Captain  had no trouble entering that lock but several others on the flight were difficult to enter due to the strong flow pouring into the canal from the side-washes due to the week’s heavy rainfall. When I took my turn steering  I aimed the boat for the side-wash which threw the boat sideways then wriggled the tiller to slide into the lock without crashing into the far wall.

 Lottie enjoyed free ranging in the sun while I worked. When she got hot she went paddling in a side wash half way up the flight.

When I took over driving I made Lottie’s dinner. She was hungry and barked at me to feed her while I was in the bottom of the lock. I stretched up and pushed her bowl onto the lock side so that she could eat it immediately. Well it was better than having a soggy dog jump onto the boat.

half way up the 15 locks

After working a few locks to help me, the Captain retired to drive the boat nursing his shoulder, but I preferred working the locks as they were well maintained and easy to work.

 We met no boats on the entire flight – strange for such a nice day on a busy canal. As we were following a distant boater that meant I had to empty each lock  before our boat could enter. Behind me a hire boat began the flight about four locks behind me. By the time I reached the top they had closed to only one behind.

We eventually moored on a peaceful pound between locks 2 and 3 near the top of the flight. As the last boat on the mooring we had an unencumbered view of the lock.