It definitely wasn't us this time!!

If you look at my blog of 14th January 2011 you will read my report of a canal closure due to a land slip, which we missed by a matter of minutes, this time we missed it by a few days, in virtually the same place.
Unfortunately for the occupants of a hire boat who were facing the prospect of 22 locks and 18 miles (at least 10 hours cruising and about 12 by my reckoning) between yesterday afternoon and 9am on Monday I didn't pick up the report until after they were gone. If I had known I could have told them the most they would be able to do was the locks and about 6 miles. Hopefully they will have avoided the worst of the weather today. I assume the boatyard will collect them from wherever they have to moor.

There are lots of reports of fallen trees closing various bits of the canal system today but none that affect us in the immediate future. Hopefully the one that has closed part of the Trent and Mersey will be cleared by the time we get there.

We moved a short distance yesterday, just down through some of the Audlem Locks to moor opposite the Shroppie Fly. Our journey down the locks was relatively easy as there was enough boat movement for us to meet boats at most locks but not so much that it delayed us. We indulged in fish and chips from the chippy last night, an extravagance for us. At the moment we have the 5 day moorings to ourselves. Today's weather was horrible so we got some washing done, we might move on tomorrow or we might stay for a couple of days, haven't decided yet.

Yesterday's journey 1.5 miles and 10 locks

So far this year we have travelled 252.2 miles, 160 locks, 5 swing bridges and 6 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1453.9 miles, 1246 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 46 tunnels