10 Locks, 9 Miles. Now moored at Salt.
Today was going to be the final long day to ensure Epiphany reached Great Haywood Marina by tomorrow morning. Considering this is Autumn we have never seen so many boats on the move in one day since we ventured North many month’s ago. Admittedly it is school’s mid term break and the weather being mild has probably got a fair bit to do with it. Compared with the Southern waterways the Northern canals are greatly under utilised and very quiet.
At Stone we stopped for lunch and had a quick trip into town for a few bits and bobs. As there was only 1 mooring available we had to breast up but the canal is amply wide enough to handle it. Just as we were setting off after lunch Nb Aotearoa came up through Star lock with Colin and Ann aboard heading for a new mooring on the Llangollen canal which is closer to home for them. They had been following our progress but thought that they would miss us so were quite chuffed when they found us.
Below Aston lock we were surprised at the size of the new Aston Marina. The first stage is now in use with some boats already in situ. The second part of the marina is due to be filled with water next month and eventually the stop planks between the 2 halves will be removed and it will become one huge marina.
At Aston lock we lost contact with Epiphany due to so many boats passing through. We were beginning to think we were not going to catch up with them as the light was fading due to the late hour. After what seemed an age of cruising we finally found them moored up just before bridge 82. Within an hour of us mooring up it was dark.
2016 locks, 3890 miles, 76 tunnels, 129 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006
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