Windy Middlewich

Having got up at the normal time of just after seven, Sue went off to have a look around Nantwich (The `come on, come on` call depends how V feels - a lie in would mean she comes to get us up at about seven-thirty) .  We headed off at about 10, washing machine on and batteries and alternators working hard.  Unfortunately, the water point was full so we continuued on past the Llangollen junction (Hurleston) and watered at the junction with the Middlewich Branch (Barbridge).  It was already windy when we turned at the junction, although still warm and sunny.  We are now moored just above  Cholmondeston Lock.

The `wich` bit of Nantwich and Middlewich (and all other `wiches`, presumably) means salt, we are reliably informed. There are a number of salt mines nearby that also serve as very dry storage for foodstuffs and documents.  Apparently, some are large enough to drive large trucks into and are used by supermarket chains and by the Government as archives.  We recall on our last trip through here seeing enormous mounds of salt near the canal.  These, we have been told, have disappeared because of the demand for road salt over the past two winters.

This afternoon it`s more cleaning and polishing, then books and tea, and a walk with V. 

On the Shropshire Union, approaching the Llangollen.

M moored for the day on the Middlewich Branch and work begins - we`re both flat-out

A wave breaks over M`s stern as the wind picks up.