Today is our penultimate day on our Four Counties Ring.  We left Sandon quite early in the morning, the weather was not that good but it did stay dry most of the day for our trip.  We headed for Great Haywood Junction for our overnight mooring.  We stopped at the Junction so that we could get rid of the rubbish and visit the shop.  We also went to the Farm shop at the junction to buy some provisions.  It is an amazing shop and we spent quite a lot of money on goodies.  It was strange coming back to the junction where we started our journey on the Staff and Worcs canal.  We headed for bridge 72 just past the junction and stopped in almost the same place we stopped at the start of our journey. As we were mooring up to bridge 72 it started to rain very heavily.  So we were soaking wet in minutes, good old British summer.  As we were planning where to moor we stopped by Aslan, which is a narrowboat that is on YouTube that John and I used to watch when we were planning our return to the UK.  We went for a walk to the Red Lion as we had enjoyed the first time we visited, we only had one drink as the rain started again along with the thunder.  Back to the mooring for the night. One more lock tomorrow and a 3 hour cruise and then we will be back at the marina. 

After a very pleasant overnight mooring at the Plume of Feathers at Barlaston we got up and had a fairly relaxing morning and were ready to set off on our cruise at about 9.30.  We planned to go as far as Aston Marina today, fuel up and then stop for the night.  There were 9 locks today which is not too bad.  The weather was good, grey but at least dry so we set off.  A very pleasant cruise through beautiful countryside.  We met quite a few lovely people at the locks as always. We went through the town of Stone, which we had heard lots of good things about and it seemed very nice and very safe for mooring.  We got to Aston Marina at around 12.30, so we went in and filled up with diesel.  The marina is very nice and we plan to come back in November for a Jersey Boy tribute band. We can stay at one of the visitor moorings as well.  As it was only 12.30 we decided to carry on cruising for a little bit more and we finally came to the village of Sandon and moored there for the night.  It was a very safe mooring with other boats but there was nothing close by, not even a shop.  There was a pub mentioned in the Canal Companion but you had to walk along a very busy road with no footpath.  It was also raining so hard that we felt that it would be dangerous to walk with the dogs.  Only 2 more nights out on the canal before we get back to our home marina.  

Finally got away from Etruria this morning.  Had to visit the facilities to take on water etc so had to go up to the Caldon Canal and turn the boat around and then back to the water point.  When we had finished watering I went around to the first lock of the day to prepare it.  A boat was coming up so I helped a lone boater through the lock and told him that John was waiting on Merlin around the corner.  He then told me he was going up the Caldon so that made the turn into the lock much more difficult, but John managed it no problem as the lone boater was very good and moved out of the way to allow us to turn.  We then proceeded out of Etruria towards Stoke.  It was not a pleasant cruise, 5 locks all through the centre of Stoke so loads of graffiti on the walls and youths on bikes.  The area is very industrial which is expected on the canals but we were glad to get back out into the countryside.  We travelled onto Barlaston where we planned to stop for the night so one more lock to go through which was 6 in total for the day.  When we got to Barlaston we realised that we would be stopping at the Plume of Feathers which is owned by Neil Morrissey of Men Behaving Badly.  We stopped at this very spot in 2014 when we had our old boat Maya.  It was Neil’s birthday and he was having a party for all the locals.  We went into the pub and were welcomed into the party as well.  Brought back good memories.  As we got to the Plume of Feathers early afternoon, we decided to have lunch there which was delicious and highly recommended.  After lunch and a couple of gin and tonics for me and cider for John we headed back to the boat for the afternoon.  All four of us had an afternoon nap before settling for the evening.  A very pleasant end to the day.

We had a relatively late start this morning after the hard work of yesterday.  We got up and  had a full English breakfast and then did some chores around the boat.  We left Kidsgrove at 9.45, we had one lock to navigate and then onto the tunnel.  As we came out of the lock the turning for the Macclesfield Canal is on the right hand side, we plan to do that next year but it looks very narrow.  We then headed for the tunnel and arrived at about 10.  The tunnel keeper gave us the safety briefing and then we had to wait a short while for a boat coming from the South to come out of the tunnel.  Finally it was our turn.  I was really nervous about the tunnel but John was relaxed.  It takes about 45 minutes to get through the tunnel but it took us about 50 minutes so not too bad.  The tunnel is 2675 metres long, it is quite straight but very low in places.  Thankfully it is one way.  I was very happy when we came out the other side into bright sunshine.  On our way to Stoke we passed a really lovely mooring spot next to Westport Lake, we have marked this for next time we come on the Trent and Mersey for a couple of nights stay.  There was a great sign for dog owners which stated 'ATTENTION DOG OWNERS, pick up after your dogs, thank you.  ATTENTION DOGS Grrrr, bark, woof.'  Someone at canal and river trust have a sense of humour. We passed Middleport pottery on the way which is used in lots of tv shows.  We then carried on towards Etruria Junction where we were planning to stop for the evening before going through the five locks however when we arrived at Etruria Junction the locks were closed for emergency repairs and are not due to open until the 11th June so we now have to stay at Etruria until they reopen.  It was a pity we did not get the alert for the stoppage as we could have stayed at Westport Lake for a few days.  Thankfully we are ahead of our schedule so should still get back to Kings Bromley for the 15th June.  As we were stuck at Etruria we went up to the Toby Carvery for a drink in the evening and on the way we came across 6 geese with about 15 goslings coming up the canal.  Two of the geese were guarding the goslings as they swam past us.  Very sweet.  

Another early start from Rode Heath but not until we had taken the dogs for another long walk in the meadow.  We headed off after breakfast but we had another 11 locks to do today.  We were both feeling a bit apprehensive following getting stuck in the lock the day before but thankfully all the locks were good and we got to the outskirts of Kidsgrove by early afternoon.  We stopped at the visitor moorings to top up the water and empty the toilet and the plan was to stop here for the night.  However a very nice lock keeper advised us to go through the next 2 locks making 13 in total as he recommended a nice local pub for a drink called the Bluebell.  We went in for a glass of cider but we did not feel very comfortable so we crossed the lock and went into the Canal Tavern instead which was much more friendly.  We then went to the supermarket to top up on provisions and headed back to the boat.  The overnight mooring was not as pretty as some we have stayed at but we had no problems at all and we were right next to the lock ready for the morning.  I was not looking forward to the next day's cruising as we have to go through the Harecastle tunnel.  We booked our passage for 2pm the next day but the lock keeper told us that we could go earlier and go through at the 10am and 12pm passage.

We set off from Wheelock very early as we had a lot of locks to get through today.  14 locks in all so I spent most of the day walking between locks.  The weather was lovely and sunny and we were making excellent progress.  The Cheshire countryside was beautiful as we meandered our way towards our overnight stay at Rode Heath.  However then disaster struck, we went into our 13th lock of the day and for some reason we got stuck in the lock.  There must have been something at the bottom of the lock as we became beached and could not go back or forward.  Thankfully there were two other boats waiting to use the locks and they came to help us.  We finally had to be towed out of the lock by another boat.  It was pretty scary trying to move the boat as I had to climb into the lock down the metal stairs and eventually had to drive the boat as it was being towed as John had to pull on our mooring ropes.  We managed to get free and as these were duplicate single locks, one side by side we had to use the other side to try to get up the canal.  Thankfully we were fine and managed to get to Rode Heath.  Rode Heath turned out to be the best mooring so far, we were moored by some picnic benches and also a lovely big meadow which led to a river where you could walk the dogs.  Eren could go off the lead and Georgie was on the long lead so they had loads of fun leaping in the grass.  As always we moored near a nice pub called the Broughton Arms which again was dog friendly.  We had lunch there and a couple of drinks and then went back to the boat.  The weather was so nice we were able to sit out on the picnic benches with a glass of vino in the evening.  

Early start from Middlewich as the traffic woke us at around 5.30am.  There were a couple of locks to negotiate on our way to Wheelock but a short cruise today after a long day yesterday.  The weather was bright and sunny to start but we did have a couple of hail showers and just before mooring a very heavy downpour.  We got grounded on a very tight corner when we met another boat but so did the other boat.  We felt quite guilty cruising away while the other boat was still struggling to get free. We did offer to help but he refused our help.  Managed to get a really mooring spot at Wheelock at the front of the queue for the 15 locks tomorrow.   It was just us moored at 12pm but by the end of the day there was a long stream of boats moored up as well.  In the afternoon we walked into Wheelock village which was a very nice, good stocked shop so we stocked up on provisions and then a quick drink in the Cheshire Cheese.  There was a lovely Italian restaurant right on the canal but they would not allow dogs in or outside so we went back to the boat to eat.

Weather not so good today as we set off from Barbridge Junction but at least it was dry.  We cruised up to the Junction with the Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch, me on look out duty and John negotiating the turning.  A good video below of a perfect turn.  We then cruised towards the first lock which was thankfully manned so no work for me. We then tried to get diesel from two marinas with no success so we continued our journey.  We saw a cormorant on the water today, which was diving for food and it followed us for about a mile.  We think that our prop was churning up the canal so he was having an easy feast.  Later in the journey we got attacked by a swan who was protecting its nest.  It dived bomb us from the front and then flew up to the back of the boat flapping his wings and hissing.  I didn’t manage to get a video which was a pity.  The weather took a turn for the worst and it started raining very fine drizzle but very unpleasant.  The plan was to get to Middlewich and then stop short of the junction in the visitor moorings as we had heard good things about the town, however all the visitor moorings were taken so we had no choice to head through the next two locks.  A very friendly look keeper helped me with the locks, his name was Graham and we had a lovely chat whilst working the locks.  So five locks in total today which is not too bad.  We managed to get diesel before turning the junction and then moored up at the visitor moorings at Kings Lock just outside Middlewich.  It was safe but alongside a very busy road.  We then headed for the Kings Lock Arms for a drink before setting for the night.  The pub was selling Merlin's Ale so we had to try some of that.  We then off to the local shop for some provisions.  Back on the boat nice and early for supper and another relaxing evening.

A more leisurely start today as we do not have so many locks to contend with.  We were hoping to get to the Barbridge Junction and then stop there before leaving the main Shropshire Union canal and going onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire.  The weather was not so good today with a lot of rain in the air but not enough to dampen our spirits or get us too wet.  It was a case of coats on and then coats off.  After doing the two locks at Hack Green we meandered our way through Nantwich.  You could not see much of the town from the canal but it was not as inviting at Market Drayton so we did not stop.  We continued our way through the Shropshire countryside however the journey was very pleasant and a second day on the Shroppie where we have enjoyed the canal.  On the way to Barbridge we passed the junction for the Llangollen Canal, which we intend to do next year so it was good to see the junction.  Quite a good turning but straight into a lock so we must remember that when we come in the spring next year.  We finally came to the village of Barbridge and stopped at the visitors' moorings, which you will have guessed, opposite a lovely pub called the Olde Barbridge Inn.  Another cracking canal side pub which was dog friendly so we could have a quiet drink before supper and settling for the evening. 

Another early start today as we had lots of locks to go through but the sun was shining, probably the best weather to date.  Very warm and lots of sunshine.  We left Coxbank at around 7.30 as we had at least 11 locks ahead of us and maybe two more to contend with.  All single locks but good luck was in our favour as there were quite a few boats coming up the locks which meant that they locks were all set in our favour.  I even managed to miss one altogether as the crew from the boat below opened the lock for us.  The plan was to stop at Audlem village for the day but as the locks were not too difficult we decided to stop at the village and get some provisions and then do the remaining locks.  The sunshine had brought out the best in people as everyone was smiling and chatting as we went through the locks.  The village of Audlem was lovely, lots of local shops, butchers, fishmongers.  A real old fashioned English town.  There was also a canal shop which sold loads of lovely pictures and I managed to get two lovely cross stitch patterns, one of Great Haywood Junction and one of Braunston.  This will keep me happy through the winter months.  When I got back to the boat the Shroppie pub was full with Gongoozlers as we went through the next lock, thankfully all went well. We had planned to stop at the next available visitor moorings after the locks but a lovely lady told us that if we went on to bridge 83 there were lovely moorings with picnic tables so we decided to make this our stop.  We passed Overwater Marina which looked really nice with loads of visitors at the cafe.  We finally got to our mooring overnight and it was the busiest mooring to date but in a lovely country setting with a picnic bench and BBQ stand for boaters to use.  Once we settled we had a lovely afternoon out on the towpath with pate, pork pie and a glass of vino.  The Shropshire Union canal certainly improved today and hopefully it will continue to improve as we weave our way towards Middlewich.