Despite dire predictions about changeable weather, the fluffy clouds and blue skies have continued today. Yes, it was noticeably cooler, and the day started overcast, but it soon improved. The only fly in the ointment was the wind. It has died away now, but this afternoon, it made it very difficult to steer a narrowboat accurately. It’s OK if you know what to expect, but if you are only a few days into your first narrowboat holiday it can be a bit taxing. We encountered a few boaters having some of those moments today.

Not only did the good weather continue, but, this afternoon, we seemed to be sat right in the middle of a huge cloud-free area. This, combined with the wind ruffled water, made for beautiful sparkly views down the cut. As the sun was directly behind us, it also resulted in the sun burn on my neck!

 

We made our way back down to the Shropshire Union end of the Llangollen and descended the Hurleston flight. There is something special about sitting at the top of even a short flight of locks. The view opens up, in this case you

can see right across the Cheshire Plain to the hills of Derbyshire. The wind made the descent “interesting”, but only caused me to use my usual stinging rebuke once. (Reminder: that means muttering “Really” when no-one can hear me).

 

 

 

 

 

At the bottom we turned left to make the short dash up to Barbridge and back onto the Middlewich Branch. We had a couple of lock queues to contend with but nothing like earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving at Cholmondeston Lock, I had occasion to mutter under my breath again. It looked like there was a long queue. There was one, but not as long as it seemed. Right in the middle of the queue, three boats had moored up. I suspect that when they did there was nobody around, but now it was mayhem. With inexperienced boaters having to cope with swerving around these moored boats whilst dealing with the strong wind. Instead of moving down the cut a little, to get out of the way and make it easier, these boaters just set up their chairs on the bank to watch and giggle. Really!

We are now moored back on one of my favourite spots, close to the River Weaver Aqueduct. It is much more crowded than when I stayed here in June, but it’s still a good spot. It even has handy picnic benches, which make good places to blog from.

Right now I’m anxiously watching the clouds building up. Tonight should be the first real opportunity to view the Perseid Meteor shower this year. This is a great location to do that, away from most sources of light pollution. But success will depend on the clouds staying away.