Monday 4th July

St Martin Moor to Maesbury Mill

Set off to get to Frankton junction for noon when the locks are opened. There were quite a few boats there already so we moored for lunch just before the junction. Then we went round to join the queue. Once down the locks we carrried on through Queens Head and right to the last winding hole then back to Maesbury Mill and moored outside the canal centre. Unfortunately the Navigation Inn does not open on Mondays so we had to walk about a mile to the Original Ball where we had dinner.

Sunday 3rd July

Llangollen to St Martins Moor

Set off in the morning and back over the Pontcysllte aqueduct. Stopped again at Froncysllte for a return visit to the Aqueduct Inn. There we had a surprisingly good sunday roast at 2 for £10.

Carried on to get to St Martins Moor where two of Peters old friends now live. They have 2 Beardies, chickens, a garden railway, a real organ, not to mention a very nice house and garden. They gave us a very nice meal.

Saturday 2nd July

Llangollen

There was a vintage transport weekend on at the railway. We went to catch the first train of the day at 9.30, a DMU to Corwen. This was like the ones I used to use from Colwall back in the 70s. From Corwen we took a vintage bus back to Glyndyfrdwy where the were quite a few other buses and lots of cars. The bus we caught reminded me of the buses on the 99 route from Penny Lane in 77/78, and one of the other buses actually had that route number showing but was a more modern bus. There were examples of my parents second, third and fourth cars, ignoring the motor caravan, and of my first car. Then we caught a steam train to Berwyn where we went over the restored chain bridge and up to Horseshoe Falls and to Llantysilio church. Back at the station we were planning to catch the diesel train back to Llangollen but it had broken down and returned empty to Llangollen. So we ended up on the next steam train, the same one we had been on before.

I had arranged to meet Jean and Robin at the basin and they were just arriving as we got back. Took them for a cup of tea on board.

In the evening we went to the Hand Hotel for dinner where we had the Lounge all to ourselves. We had the 3 course meal from the restaurant menu. The one beer that they had was not good.

Friday 1st July

Froncysllte to Llangollen

Went over the Pontcysllte aqueduct and stopped for lunch at the Sun Inn at Sun Bank near Trevor. I remembered having a lock-in here many years ago but did not really recognise the pub. Nice beer and I had Potato and Leek soup. After lunch we carried on through the two narrow sections without having to wait for other boats. Moored in the basin at Llangollen at the far end.

Went to the Wynnstay Hotel to eat but they had stopped serving, then we tried the Bridge Inn but they had stopped too as they were very busy. So we trawled around the take aways and ended up in a chinese. We took the food back to the boat to eat.

Thursday 30th June

Hindford to Froncysllte

Set off to get to Chirk for a crew change, so we moored in the cutting north of Chirk tunnel. Peter arrived on the 12.47 and after he had dumped his bags on board we went to the Hand Hotel for lunch. After that we went back to the station so that Andy could catch a train to Birmingham.

Peter and I walked to Chirk castle and were there till they they closed at 5pm. After walking back a different way we set off to get to Froncysyllte. We moored on the 48hr moorings and walked on to the Aqueduct Inn. They had some good beer and the food wasn't bad either.

Wednesday 29th June

Ellesmere to Hindford

Rain again in the morning so stayed put. Went for a pint in the Red Lion but it was Thwaites beers served too cold and a bit fizzy. After lunch and another visit to Tescos we set off slowly again to get to the Jack Mytton at Hindford. The beers here too were a bit cold and fizzy but nicer than the Thwaites. Expensive food but nice to see the place open again after being closed.

Tuesday 28th June

Welshampton to Ellesmere

Set off slowly to get to Ellesmere before the rain started. Went to the Market Hotel for lunch but they don't do cooked food anymore. We went to the White Hart but they don't open till 3, so we got some fish and chips which we took back to the boat. Then we went back to the Market Hotel for a beer, here my phone crashed again whilst connecting to the cloud. Later on I returned into town to find a signal to help reinstall the phone. Managed to get 4G inside the library and after initial setup was then able to use their wifi to finish off. In the evening after having something to eat on board we went to the White Hart for beer.

Monday 27th June

Grindley Brook to Welshampton

We ventured down the Prees arm and the first lift bridge looked like very hard work, the second one was dismantled. We winded in the now BWML marina in the old clay pit which is the end of navigable water. Moored and had lunch on board then walked down the un-navigable rest of the arm as far as Waterloo. After the bridge there the footpath was impassable and the canal appeared to be dry.

When I rang to book the Monty for tomorrow I learnt that I was not allowed to do it twice in one month, so I booked it for next week. Stppped short of Ellesmere near Welshampton so the we could walk into the village to the Sun Inn for dinner. They had a nice set menu and I had 3 courses. The faggots were excellent especially as they came with red cabbage and mash.

Sunday 26th June

Wrenbury to Grindley Brook

Stopped for lunch below Willeymoor lock and went to the pub by the lock. No Sunday roasts available and the same frozen products as last time. Carried on to Grindley Brook and up the locks there. Stopped for water above the locks then moored for the night. Went to the Horse and Jockey for a beer.

Saturday 25th June

Church Minshull to Wrenbury

Set off to get to Barbridge for lunch. At Barbridge junction we turned south and moored up by the car park for the Barbridge Inn. Had lunch in their conservatory. After that we carried on down to Hurleston junction where we turned onto the Llangollen canal. Moored for the night by bridge 17. From there we walked to the Bhutpore Inn, Aston where we had booked a table for dinner. They manage to keep 11 real ales and they included a Barley wine from Castle Rock which I had to try after my curry.

Friday 24th June

Sandbach to Church Minshull

Only 5 locks to get to Middlewich but most of it follows a straight road. Stopped for diesel at Kings Lock boatyard where it was only 57p/l. I managed to squeeze in 136l. Turned left at the junction onto the Middlewich branch and moored. Went for lunch in the White Bear. Later we carried on and moored for the night on the 46hr moorings between bridges 13 and 12. Here you get a good view over to the village of Church Minshull. Unfortunately there is concrete shelf below water and we couldn't even get the bow in, but with the help of an underwater fender I managed to prevent banging in the night. Had something to eat on board then walked to the Badger for a beer in the Tap room. They had a singer in the other bar and later on some quiche and chips were brought out.

Thursday 23rd June

Kidsgrove to Sandbach

Set off at 9am to get to Thurlwood locks at Rode Heath. We were lucky with the locks and they were all full so we made fast progress and arrived early. Had the remains of the pizzas for lunch then went to the Royal Oak for a pint.

After that we set off down Heartbreak Hill again. We were not so lucky with the locks and ended up following a couple on a brand new boat who were being very gentle. They stopped at Wheelock and we carried on to moor within easy walking distance of Sandbach station. We caught the 18.57 train to Goostry where we went to the Crown Inn for dinner. Very nice food and a good selection of mostly local beers. Caught the 21.43 train back to Sandbach.

Wednesday 22nd June

Etruria to Kidsgrove

Moored at the Middleport Pottery to have a look round. I bought a dish for use as a friut bowl. We discovered that the Titanic pub nearby that we planned to go to does not open at lunchtimes so we had lunch in the pottery cafe, I had sone Staffordshire oatcakes filled with Black Pudding and cheese. Carried on to the Harecastle tunnel where we only had short wait before we were able to go through. Moored for the night below lock 41. We got take away pizzas in Kidsgrove for dinner then went to the Blue Bell for beer.

Tuesday 21st June

Cheddleton Mill to Etruria

Set off at 9 but so did 2 boats in front of us so we were in a queue at Hazlehurst locks. However by helping them up we managed to catch up. They both stopped at Endon services. Moored in Milton again and walked to the Foxley. I had tried ringing but without success. Fortunately this time they were serving food and had several real ales.

Ian left us at bridge 5 and we carried on to Etruria and moored past the junction on the Trent and Mersey. Had something to eat on board then went to the
Coachmakers Arms for a pint.  Then we went to Pets at Home to stock up on treats for Muffin. Also went to the Morrisons nearby before returning to the boat. Finally went to the Holy Inadequate again.

Monday 20th June

Consall Forge to Cheddleton via Froghall

Due to the rain we did not set off till after 11am but we only had to get to Froghall and meet Andy there. There is now a guaging board at Flint Mill Lock which, as expected, was showing that we could not fit through tunnel.  Although Jacob has been through before it did involve some scraping of paintwork and the new chimney which sticks out through the roof fitting would need cutting back. So we moored just after the last 65ft winding point.

We had lunch on board again, then after Andy arrived we went to have a look at the restored lock and basin the other side of the tunnel. There were no boats at all that side, probably due to the new guage. Then we set off for Cheddleton. We had noticed an increase in the flow on the river section at Consall but on the way back and we struggled to get through the Black Lion railway bridge. The current past there above the main weir was now even stronger and it was clear that the level had risen too. So we made slow progress up to the lock. When we got to the lock we noted without surprise that that the flood guage was now in the red.

Moored for the night above the locks in Cheddleton near the mill. Still no 3G or TV. Went for dinner in the Red Lion then on to the Black Lion for more beer.

Sunday 19th June

Engine oil change in the morning followed by lunch on board, then we walked back to Cheddleton Mill for a look round there after they opened at 1pm. We set off for the short trip to Consall Forge and were there by 4pm in time to take a picture of the last train of the day. Booked a table for dinner in the pub at 630pm.

Went for dinner in the Black Lion. As they had more ciders than beers I decided to drink cider for a change.

Saturday 18th June

Leek to Cheddleton

Set off back along the Leek arm and turned right to go down Hazlehurst locks towards Cheddleton. Moored on the 48 hour moorings near Cheddleton station. Went to catch a train on the Churnet Valley Railway to Consall where we went to the Black Lion for lunch. It has been temporarily renamed the Three Lions, one of 23 pubs renamed by Carlsburg for the football.

After lunch we caught a train to Froghall then back to Leek Brook and then back to Cheddleton.

In the evening after eating on board we went into Cheddleton for supplies then to the Black Lion for beer.

Friday 17th June

Etruria to Leek

Set off to get to the Foxley for lunch. We moored on their moorings but discovered that the kitchen was closed for refurbishment. We had arranged to meet Ians parents there so they took us to the Hollybush in Denford for lunch. After returning us to the boat we carried on  and moored for the night just past the full length winding hole near the end of the Leek branch. Ians sister Judy had met us along the towpath for last bit and kindly drove us into Leek. We went to the Fountain Inn where they weren't serving food but fortunately has some sandwiches left from a function earlier that day. After 2 pints there we moved on to the Earl Grey which we had heard had just won a CAMRA award. Finally we went to the Wilkes Head.

Thursday 16th June

Stone to Etruria

Stopped for an early lunch at Barlaston to go the Neil Morrisey Plume of Feathers. We had a two course set lunch with two 'Neil Morrisey' beers from Norfolk.

When we reached Etruria we turned onto the Caldon canal and moored near the facilities. As it was raining we decided to visit just one of the three pubs in the Good Beer Guide as they were well spread out. So we went to the best one, the County pub of the year, the Holy Inadequate. We had a small pork pie to eat and plenty of beer.

Wednesday 15th June

Weston Upon Trent to Stone

We did a long morning to get to Stone in time for lunch. Managed to moor in the pound above the Star Inn. We went to the Royal Exchange hoping to get something to eat there but they did not do food. So after a pint we went back to the boat for lunch.

In the evening we went to the Star to eat. After that we moved on to the Swan. We had to leave the Swan as they had a 9pm cufew for dogs and there was a singer setting up to perform. So we went back to the Royal Exchange.