Back on the Shroppie

We waited a while this morning in the hope that the wind would ease off a bit but when it reached half ten without any real sign of improvement we decided to move anyway. Luckily there weren't too many moored boats so we were able to keep our speed up which made for easier handling in the wind.

There were quite a lot of boats on the move, most heading in the opposite direction to us for the Ellesmere Canal Festival at the weekend. It made life a lot easier at the locks as there was always at least one extra pair of hands.

We stopped briefly at Burland intending to get a loaf of bread from the shop and hopefully post Mikey's birthday card. We failed on both counts as the shop was closed and no sign of a postbox.. I managed to find an 'online postbox locator' so I know where I can post the card tomorrow.

We have moored for the night at the bottom of Hurleston locks and will carry on our journey to Chester tomorrow. We probably won't go all the way into Chester, there is a 'park and ride' not far from the canal on the outskirts so we will probably moor near there and take the bus in. It will save us a lot of locks and from past experience Chester moorings can be a bit congested.

Today's journey 8.3 miles, 9 locks and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 572.3 miles, 472 locks, 49 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 24 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 1818.1 miles 1558 locks, 105 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 64 tunnels