The Big One (18-1)

Thursday 9th August 2012

Nantwich to Bridge 22 (Top Flash)

I did not have a good night, I was up bright and early. The sun was warm soon after first light. Hopefully it is the harbinger of another good day for cruising. A late start after a breakfast of boiled eggs. The eggs were purchased yesterday at the Audlem top lock.

The good weather made the canal much busier than of late, with both hire and private boats on the move. The Shroppie has become in places almost one single linear mooring.  In places it can take quite some time just to tick-over past moored boats.

As we were enjoying the last of the sun, a cat off a nearby boat came prowling along the towpath. The dogs are used to cats and so paid little attention other than to watch. As the cat drew level with the back of the boat. It started to tremble. Then it pounced returning out of the undergrowth with a mouse.

After dark I took the dogs for a run, the air was very still. There was a strong mist building over the canal which was drifting off in wisps over the nearby fields. The bats here are very active. There were Daubentons and Pipistrelles in good numbers.

Wildlife: Many more Buzzards today, Twite and Green Woodpecker also noted. Hundreds of Banded demoiselles and a fair few Brown Hawker and one Red Darter dragonfly.

We took on 71 litres of diesel today at Nantwich. So we are set for a good chug along the Trent and Mersey.

Daily Total

Miles: 11.8

Locks: 2

Swing / Lift Bridges: 0

Tunnels: 0

Pump Outs: 0

Engine Hours: 4.9

Accumulated Totals

Miles: 1043.2

Locks: 772

Swing / Lift Bridges: 119

Tunnels. 18

Pump Outs: 12

Engine Hours: 2327.7

Later......