Continuing on the Shropshire Union Canal

Today we entered into Cheshire as we meandered along the Shroprshire Union Canal.  We started out at 8 a.m. after breakfast and soon approached the first of the Audlem Locks.  As we were opening it, a man rushed up the towpath to inform us the the second lock gate was jammed, so we stopped to wait for it to be fixed.  Luckily, the Canal and River Trust staff arrived promptly and quickly removed the jam and we were on our way through the first 11 of 15 locks, with Peter at the tiller a lot of the way.

Peter at the tiller of Pegotty

We moored up to have tea, hot chocolate and snacks and then, since it was not raining, we wandered into the town of Audlem.  Most impressive was St. James Church, situated in the center of town on a small hill.  It was first constructed in the 13th century on the site of former Celtic sacred sites.  The ceiling of the nave is cambered beam in a dark wood.  The stained glass windows date from the mid-nineteenth century and were radiant despite the lack of pure sunlight outside.

St. James Church in Audlem

We passed through the last four locks of Audlem and then didn't have any more for a few miles.

House by Audlem Lock 13

I lay down on the couch to rest and fell asleep, not awakening until we arrived at our stop for the night by the town of Nantwich just as a short but drenching rain fell.  After this passed, I decided to walk along the towpath with Andrew and Peter, but it began to rain again, although not nearly as hard, and I turned back.  (Rain, rain, go away!)

So, we spend our down time reading, having tea and eating.  Paula, Peter and I played a game of anagrams to pass the time before dinner, which Andrew prepared.  The simple but delicious meal consisted of cheese-cauliflower casserole, tomato and basil salad and bread.  As I stepped off the boat after dinner, I saw a section of double rainbow, which everyone came on deck to see.

Paula on the stern of Pegotty with a rainbow reflected in the canal

After the kitchen was cleaned up (I keep being told there is not enough room in the galley for me to help.), the four of us walked from the canal, across the Weaver River and the heart of Nantwich, which is a medieval town with Roman heritage which still seems to be prosperous.   Its economy was based on salt production from the 10th century of earlier.  There were many white and black half-timbered Tudor buildings with slanting lines and bulging walls.

Bulging front wall of an old Tudor building 

Pedestrian street near the center of Nantwich

In the center of town is the Church of St. Mary, a large red-brick structure with an octagonal tower and gargoyles to ward off evil spirits, dating from the 14th century.

Church of St. Mary, Nantwich

Gargoyles on the Church of St. Mary

As we were leaving the town center around 10 p.m., the night life was just beginning as young adults found their ways to pubs and bars around town.