Tetton Bridge, Trent and Mersey Canal

The day was a bit nippy and breezy but dry. We even got about 10 seconds of sunshine! After checking Mr Whiskers was onboard and not prowling in Stanthorne Woods Vicky took the dogs ahead to set Stanthorne Lock. We got a shock when we encountered a queue! Not one, but two boats were moored waiting to enter the lock and incredulously a further two boats arrived and queued after us! This rarely happens in summer, never mind on a dull day at the beginning of February.

We chatted away with the other boaters and helped work the paddles and gates until it was our turn. We then stopped at the visitor moorings for Will to fetch his prescription and make a long awaited visit to Middlewich's Angling Superstore. After lunch we timed it right at Wardle Lock, arriving just someone was leaving. We still needed to fill it before we could enter but at least we didn't need to wait. Once we'd descended and exited, Will sounded Rainboat's horn and turned right off the Middlewich Branch onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. There is a very awkwardly placed water point at this junction which was in use so Will then needed to reverse and moor on the other side to wait for it. We are wearing a lot of layers this time of year and needing more water than usual to get through all the washing. When the woman and her French Bulldog had finished filling their tank, Vicky worked them up Kings Lock while Will began to fill Rainboat. Another boater then came to help Vicky work the lock when it was Rainboat's time. All in all it was a very cooperative and sociable day.

The busy main road runs very close to the canal for more than a mile here with only a small embankment between them. It wasn't the nicest place to stop so we cracked on past the British Salt factories, up Rump's Lock and by some new Traveller homesteads. We came to a grinding halt half way under Tetton Bridge where the main road crosses the water. The bridge has been widened and its entrance profile is high enough to fit Rainboat's chimney and the canoe underneath but half way through the ceiling drops by about a foot. Thankfully Will spotted the danger and stopped in time, allowing us to put the chimney down and get the canoe off the roof. We moored not long after, alongside a large house and garden where it was safe for the furries to explore.

Will messaged the fuel boat to let them know where to find us the following day, then managed to sit and rest for a whole 10 minutes before heading to the stern to fish with his newly purchased pole and maggots. He was rewarded with four fish and the sight of a huge flock of Starlings flying overhead.

The following day was a pretty miserable movie and duvet day as Vicky wasn't well but the fuel boat came and filled our tank so at least we were toasty warm with no worries about where to get diesel.Read more