Having begun our journey south we were anxious to get ahead of the usual Saturday stampede of hire boaters from Middlewich but had to stop briefly to stock up on provisions. We made swift progress through the Middlewich Locks only to be halted at Kings Lock by the aroma of fish and chips! We made a quick decision to stop and have a small portion for an early lunch. We then ploughed on with little traffic on the water. We found a very pleasant mooring and enjoyed a quiet evening.
A damp countryside
We woke to rain yet again but got on our way early. A short stop at Wheelock facilities was followed by the first lock of 'Heartbreak Hill'. Despite every lock, some of them being duplicate locks, being set against us and an unpleasant 'mizzle', we made good progress up towards Hassell Green where we stopped for a quick lunch break. We then pressed on as the skies cleared and a hot sun broke through as we ascended the locks.
At last the sun comes out
During the whole of our ascent only 6 boats passed us going down. Where is everybody? Middlewich had been manic, apparently the Llangollen Canal was rammed with hire boats and we had found the Shroppie very busy! Today the canal was all but deserted.
We managed 20 locks before our steam ran out and we moored on a busy towpath at Church Lawton, just 6 locks short of Harecastle Tunnel.
Guess what we are going through tomorrow? 2926 yards! Jenny doesn't like tunnels!
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