Sunny on the Shroppie

We made an early (for us) start this morning at 8.30 and this was the scene...

A warm misty morning with the sun trying to get through the clouds.

A field of rape in flower in October!! Lovely colour.

Very soon we were at the bottom lock in the Audlem flight of 15, better get on then,

but not before we admire the well kept vegetable garden at the lock side,

All very neat and tidy, pretty too with the flowers round the edges, planted to pest control I think.

The lock house at number 13, (we're going down the lock numbers), with the Shroppie Fly (pub), and Audlem Mill coming up. The Shroppie Fly is named after the 'fly boats' that worked this canal so called because they were fast, moving day and night.  The Audlem Mill is a canal shop and craft workshop, where courses on all things boaty and crafty are held.

Looking up the flight, nb Theresa in front, a single handed boater, we tried to help along.

Some of the lockside buildings on the way up the flight. Have a look inside this one....

The fire's been laid ready to light.

Can you believe that wonderful blue sky today.

At lock 1 of the flight the house at the lock had produce for sale, we bought a cabbage for dinner and were tempted by cheese scones. It was, after all now time for elevenses!

After the Audlem locks come the Adderley flight of 5 and then a little ride into Market Drayton. Here we stopped, had lunch on the boat before going into town. When we got back just after 3pm I washed the boat, well the roof and one side, while Ian did computery things (he calls it work). 

Market Drayton canal warehouse converted to flats I think.  Market Drayton is considered to be the home of Gingerbread making, with several buildings around the town marked as gingerbread bakeries or shops.

We set off again and soon came to the Tyrley locks, another flight of 5. At the end of these the canal enters into a steep cutting, the Shropshire Union is famous for these.  Woodseaves cutting is cut out of rock with ferns growing on the banks, it is narrow and dark with these wonderful bridges..

By the time we got to the end of the cutting it was getting dark and we looked for a place to moor for the night, by the time we got tied up it was 7pm.  So a long day, but a lovely warm, sunny one, the locks are easy and quick to fill so an enjoyable day's boating.

12 miles, 25 locks