Salt Mines and Meeting old friends and the Clampits

We moved off this morning with the aim of getting a pump out at Middlewich then winding and moving onto the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Canal. Just as we are about to move the working boat Renaissance went by; they supply diesel, fenders, solid fuel, etc - also pump out. Had a pump out from them which saved us some time. Lovely couple, eager to please, good prices.

We started crossing the Cheshire Plains in intermittent rain but that soon stopped and we had another fine day from lunch time onwards.

Historically a salt mining area, lots of evidence appeared of the salt extraction including the British Salt works (a famous crisp company boasts contents of salt from Cheshire - famous name associated with the company is ex-footballer).

Look at the mountains of salt here and below - a few too many to fill the blue tie-bags in crisp packets!

Just as we were about to turn onto the Shroppie we saw a chandlers so Jan popped in to buy a replacement windlass. To our amazement we spotted Brenda and Mick on NB Ada Apple moored at the chandlers so we stopped and had a good chat. The last time we saw them was in Leicester last year with Lynda and Ken from Amarantine, when we were all stuck in Leicester city unable to move with the Soar in flood. We missed Lynda and Ken earlier last week when we passed their boat at Rugeley. Brenda and Mick were on their way to the Anderton Boat Lift and from there over the Pennines. It was great to catch up today, all the best for the rest of your trip chaps.
Now moored the other side of Middlewich in the middle of nowhere about to cook a fry up!

Stop Press!

Now I know we are fairly new to this boating lark, but one thing I have learnt is not to judge a book by its cover. So when we saw a rough looking boat moor up 50 yards up from us we smiled and said "hi" whilst watching them heave even more metal onto the roof of their craft. After about half an hour two lads in their twenties, an old chap and a lady of a certain age walked past us on their way we supposed to Middlewich. An hour later they returned with a stack of lager and cider. Again I like a drink myself so I don't knock others, and the fact that their dog barked constantly we could live with for now. When the lady of a certain age started dancing in the tow path in nothing but a pair of knickers we started to worry - not a pretty sight believe me! Fortunately they decided to move on, and what passed us was a strange sight: a 50ft narrow boat with two lads on it, towing a 30ft narrow boat with the old chap on it, which was towing a 20ft cruiser with the lady of a certain age lying on the roof. As they disappeared into the evening I am sure I heard banjos!