Thursday 7th October.
This morning’s rather thick fog eventually gave way to lovely sunshine and we have travelled another 7 miles and 2 locks back to Ellesmere. As the flow on the canal (unusual yes) is with us now we are on the way back we are going a lot quicker!
We arrived here just in time to take George to the pub. After yesterday’s 2 aborted efforts he wasn’t very keen to start with but then he realised where he was and bucked up a bit. However he (and I, it has to be said) was very disappointed to discover they weren’t doing cobs in the pub today! However, we contented ourselves with a couple of bags of crisps.
Later, Ken and I went to Tesco’s (what again?) and did a huge stock up. We just don’t know where it all keeps going. We are moored in the arm this time so we didn’t have to negotiate the bridge over the arm and the bridge over the marina with the trolley, making it a lot easier.
It was practically dark this evening when a hire boat came along looking for a mooring. I don’t know why they leave it so late. As it happens they were lucky because a couple of boats had left the arm about tea time, up until then it had been completely full.
Grindley Brook is the target for tomorrow so we can be there over night in readiness for the staircase and other locks on Saturday, deep joy!
By the way we have another name for our dog apart from Mrs Doyle. We have decided he is so covered in lumps, bumps and scabby bits that we will call him George Merrick – Elephant Dog! Dear old Bubbingtons, we’re so horrible to him!
