A bywash to the side of the first lock we tackled

Ornamental Staghorn Sumac growing at locks. So called because its bark is hairy like stag antlers

Another lock but the surroundings are beginning to feel more rural

Traditional features of cobbles and a rubbing strip to protect the bridge from the horse lines

Mr Whiskers is getting fat eating kibble inside so Vicky was pleased he came out for a walk

A Ruddy Shell Duck with Egyptian Geese. A rare sight for us but they do sometimes interbreed.

Pierpoints Top Lock, Hassall Green

February 9 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

We made the most of Vicky feeling well today and ascended a little more of Heartbreak Hill. We polished off the last two Wheelock Flight Locks, cruised under the noisy M6, through the two Hassall Green Locks and rounded the journey off with the pair of Pierpoint Locks.

The further we cruised away from Middlewich the more rural our surroundings felt. It was good to see stone walls and mature native hedges bordering farm boundaries. The latter make such a positive difference to wildlife. The land around us is still flat but there is a hill in the distance. It felt good to be moving and seeing new sights.Read more