Ravensmoor nr bridge 12

Having spent a week at Grindley Brook, during which time the crew abandoned ship for a few days, we commenced our travels again on Sunday. Our planned destination Wrenbury, was six miles and four locks away. Passing through Quoisley Lock we met Ken, an old boy who attends the lock daily with a wheelbarrow containing useful supplies. He always helps with working the lock, even if not buying, but today we purchased a bunch of fresh carrots and some firefighters. Hopefully the latter will not be required for a few months yet. On arrival at Wrenbury we pulled into the ABC hirebase for fuel and water. This has now made it onto my list of ridiculously slow filling water taps. Over an hour, and the tank was still not full, but we had enough to last us a few days. We moved on a short distance to the 48 hour mooring zone, just before the manual lift bridge and stopped for the day. We had timed it perfectly as it was now 1 o'clock, and a Sunday roast at the Dusty Miller was beckoning.

Watching the countryfile weather forecast last night, it appears as if mid week we may get wind and rain, so this morning we made the decision to move again. Not long after navigating the three locks at Baddiley we were passing an ideal spot, so we stopped. I expect we will stay here for a couple of days now. 

Since departing Yelvertoft in March, the boat engine has been run for 240 hours so far, and an oil and filter change is soon due. Originally, our planned route home was to be via the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union and then onto the Trent and Mersey canal. With this in mind we have arranged to purchase some oil from Aquaduct Marina on the Middlewich Branch, as they stock the specification of oil required for our engine. The change in our plans is that, from this point we are then going to return and follow the same route on our journey back. Our reason being, we both like the Shroppie and have not quite finished exploring it yet. The Trent and Mersey and Harecastle Tunnel will have to wait for another year.

       

Checking the map our mooring spot is adjacent to the small village of Ravensmoor. It is about a mile away over the fields, with a convenient footpath from bridge 12. The book also states the village is the home of the Farmers Arms P.H. which will need to be checked out, probably during our walk tomorrow.

Sunday totals 6 Miles 4 Locks

Monday totals 3 Miles 3 Locks 

Running total 388 Miles 176 Locks 17 Tunnels