I like the Middlewich Arm. Long views to the horizon for most of the way with the odd cutting to protect us from the wind. Decided to moor at Stanthorne Bridge as actually going in to Middlewich entails negotiating the debris left by dog walkers who cannot be bothered to clean up after themselves. Actually this is one of the reasons we stopped attending the Middlewich FAB festival, the quantity of dog poo on the tow path and, believe it or not, in the streets. I can't think of anywhere else that the local population has this level of disregard for their surroundings, although Stalybridge comes a close second. Not because of dog poo but just because of the general litter everywhere.
Anyway, mooring here means we can walk in to town for shopping easily enough and also walk to the apple orchard close to Croxton aqueduct.

Iowner.

Is this a Harvest Moon The nearest Point Of Interest, according to the Geo Project data, is Manor Farm but we are still moored by Stanthorne Bridge.
Over the next few days we collected a number of apples from the orchard near to Croxton Aqueduct, not as good as we remember them but still worthwhile. Bottled about six kilos.

Along to Kings Lock, filled up with water and back to Stanthorne Bridge.

Set off at first light, about ten to get to one of our favourite mooring locations before midday. Stunning views across the valley down to the river.

We sort of had a bit of a race to the water point but someone else got there first. Waited for nearly and hour for them to complete their fill up before my No2 could use the water point and another hour until I could fill up, but there is no point in being on the canal if you are in a hurry.
Carried on to Venetian Marina where we got a bottle of gas, a can of Craftsmaster paint and a new chimney for Iowner. I had donated my spare to my No2 as her chimney gave up the ghost a couple of months age.

Caption.

Made use of the facilities and moored up just past Calveley Bridge where we can get a bulk delivery from a supermarket and for my No2 to get to Chester for her bank and to Waitrose for some speciality items.

Heading back along the Llangollen as we are both booked in at Ellesmere CRT dry dock for blacking in April and as there are stoppages between Hurlston and Ellesmere during February and April that would prevent use getting there if we left things too late.

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Dennis.

Iowner.