The weather seems to be slowly improving. Yesterday afternoon we were down to two layers (from the standard five).
We are well on our way to Llangollen but still haven't managed to stay more than one night anywhere. We are stopping to explore the tiny villages which are accessible by public footpaths which lead through woods and farmers fields. A very different experience to walking in Australia.
The highlight of this week was travelling through the Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal. The tunnel was completed in 1827 and is 2,675 meters long. It was used for transporting coal to the kilns at the Staffordshire potteries. It was quite a tricky passage as it's very low in parts.
Since our last update we have changed canals a couple of times. Moving from the Trent and Mersey to the Llangollen canal via the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Canal.
Middlewich was lovely town with a good market on Saturday where we finally managed to buy some spicy pepperoni.
In the last few days we have been travelling mainly through the dairy country of Cheshire (they can be very smelly). We have never seen such long, lush, green pastures.
We've now done a lot of locks this week (19 on Friday) and a few lift bridges on this stretch. It included our first staircase lock at Grindly Brooks. In a staircase lock the top gate of one lock is the bottom gate of the next. Depending whether you are going up or down determines how you operate it. We were lucky there were volunteer lock keepers on to help so we didn't muck it up.
Harecastle Tunnel
Busy Traffic going over the Canal.
Garden Growing in a Lock Gate
Walk to Church Minshull
Crooked Tudor House in Church Minshull
Ken going over the Stile on the walk to Church Minshull
Hi Phil. We have seen some fish jumping as we travel along. And there are a few keen fishermen dropping a line in. Here at Ellesmere port we found our first fishermen who had caught 2 Bream. Like you they do not keep the fish they throw them back in.
Hi Linda
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're having the best time. We're loving your posts and can relate tot the chilly weather. Keep em coming!
Rod
Hi Rod. We are having a wonderful time. Glad everyone is enjoying the posts. Looking forward to the warmer weather though.
DeleteThanks Jo. The birds are up nice and early, we even heard an owl hooting one night.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so pretty - much envy! England in Springtime :)
ReplyDeleteIts very pretty Cathy. We are in Wales now and its even prettier.
DeleteStop it. You're making me miserable! ;-) Actually looks like an amazing trip. Seen any fish worth catching?
ReplyDeleteHi Phil. We have seen some fish jumping as we travel along. And there are a few keen fishermen dropping a line in. Here at Ellesmere port we found our first fishermen who had caught 2 Bream. Like you they do not keep the fish they throw them back in.
Delete