12th July '16

Well the forecast was that today was going to be brighter than yesterday. They lied. There were intermittent showers of rain and in-between them there were downpours of rain. It was fine when we set out, a bit overcast but we'd got up early so that we'd get to Stone early afternoon and so we were off at the crack of 9.00am. After about 15min it had started to drizzle and it didn't really stop for hours.

Never mind we got to Stone, emptied elsan, filled with water and got rid of rubbish then met up with Helen and Brian, even managing to moor next to them. Result.

This was our nice little mooring, Much enjoyed.

\\Most bridges are fairly utilitarian, but this one was rather attractive I thought.

Just one of the seven wet, dripping, leaking locks we've gone up today.

Half way along the Trent and Mersey canal at Aston Lock. Although we're not going the whole way, turning left at Middlewich, it somehow feels like a landmark.

A soggy doggy.......

Helen came and helped us through the last two locks in Stone. Or was she just catching up with John, hard to say as the locks filled so slowly. At least it was dry by now.

Just to show that she was actually really helpful. Just after this we moored up behind their boat and after lunch we went into town to get supplies. Somehow we ended up in a pub sharing boating tales, as you do. Lovely afternoon. Got back in time to feed Paddy, write this, get him out for a quick walk and then off again to the Star to have a meal, and maybe one or two drinks.

We've looked at the map and neither want to stop in Stoke tomorrow so we'll need to have a long day (for us) to try to get to Longport and hope to moor by Westport Lake. If it's wet we'll stay here, at least we now have bread and enough to eat and drink for a few days so no need to panic..... and if the worst comes to the worst there are plenty of pubs here.