Reflection Perfection

Day Seven: on the Cheshire Canals

We're becoming seasoned pro's at all this canal barging malarkey now. We had a few locks to contend with this morning, before we had a quick-ish mid-morning stop-off for supplies at the Electronic Lift Bridge at Wrenbury. Our replacement key still didn't work but no matter, a lady from the shop was on hand to lend a helping key. While Pa went to fetch a new piece for the end of his water hose (ooh matron), Ri & I sauntered into the nearby town of Wrenbury. It's an idyllic looking little village with no more than a small shop, a church & a village hall. It's classic Midsummer Murders looking place, so once we grabbed our paper & mags, ice creams & beers, we made a hasty farewell.

We stopped for another rooftop barge picnic soon after, was lovely, although the sun wasn't beating down as it had been the last few days. I then took the tiller, navigating bridges & locks effortlessly, even though I say so myself, sailing on to Hurleston Locks, where Admiral then took over for the big right turn on to the long final straight, he does enjoy his role as the lock conductor as well after all! I then took the helm until Nantwich Aqueduct, where once again the Admiral intervened, & I had to throw jack in my Captaincy & formerly become a Mutineer. It's much more satisfying & so much easier.

The Admiral then took us all the way to Audlem where we did a 180 & parked up for the night. The troops trekked to the nearest public house, the Shroppie Fly, where we wined, dined on huge dinners & watched intently as Mo Farah won Gold & Tom Daley won Bronze. We cheered Mo all the way to the finish line & it's such a fantastic feat he has achieved. Tom did so well too. Well done boys! Lovely penultimate evening on the barge & cannot believe our week is nearly over. What I would do for another.

The heron paid us another visit & a final farewell & was lurking on the tow path, waiting to pounce. Before we got too close, as they always seem to do, in a slightly panicked & ungainly fashion, he flew off, but I did manage to snap him & he was not to be mis-Blipped.