Wheaton Aston to Overwater Marina

As the days are growing shorter and the sun is lower in the sky our solar panels aren't always producing enough electricity so we're now relying on the engine to recharge our batteries.   To make the most of running the engine we decided to travel a short distance each day.  We left Wheaton Aston behind and sailed into open countryside.  There was a price to pay for the rural scenery, our broadband and phone signals were non-existent for much of the time.  The canal is crossed by a variety of bridges, the first unusual one being a turnover bridge that also incorporated a road bridge. 

The turnover bridge takes the towpath across the canal and incorporates a road bridge

Bess and Brinny enjoyed their afternoon walks along the wooded canal sides especially when they saw a squirrel to chase. 

Did you say squirrel?

On Saturday morning it was bright, blustery and bitterly cold; out came our hats, gloves and scarves as we set off for Norbury Junction.  On the way we sailed along the narrow cutting which leads through steep sandstone cliffs to Cowley Tunnel. 

Trailing plants hanging over the southern portal of Cowley Tunnel

We stopped for a couple of days at Norbury Junction where, after a spark of life from the wi-fi, we ordered an Asda delivery.  

On Monday we set off and the canal took us under a well known landmark, High Bridge on the Grub Street Cutting.

A telegraph pole in a bridge at Grub Street Cutting

The next day we sailed along the high Shebdon Embankment which is a mile long and towers over the surrounding countryside.  Sadly the views are obscured by trees growing either side of the canal.   We stopped out in the open near bridge 49 and that night the heavens opened.  

On Wednesday the weather was dry as we set off and sailed through the narrow Woodseaves Cutting which is carved through red sandstone.  The banks are steep and look precarious in places with loose rocks and fallen trees.  The heavy rain during the night had washed sandstone into the canal turning it orange.  At Tyrley Wharf we spotted the smallest narrowboat we've seen. 

The Spirit of Phoebe, a small boat floating on an orange canal

The visitor moorings at Tyrley made a good place to stop because the rain had started again. 

Attractive wharf buildings at Tyrley 

The next day we sailed down the Tyrley Locks to Market Drayton where we dodged heavy rain to go shopping.   OnFriday we were surprised to find a heavy frost had frozen our ropes which took some untying and were still stiff when we moored up a short way out of town. 

From here the canal changes its character, we've seen the last of the high embankments and deep cuttings but it is still rural and we still had only an intermittent broadband signal.  On Sunday we sailed down the 5 Adderley Locks and on Monday tackled the 15 Audlem Locks.  

Looking down the Audlem Locks.  On the Shropshire Union the balance beams are painted grey and white instead of black and white.

At Audlem I called in the mill which now houses a shop, the first floor of which is dedicated to needlecrafts.  It is always a pleasure to buy some colourful embroidery silks. 

Audlem Mill 

On Tuesday morning we turned into Overwater Marina and were given a mooring next to Geoff and Chris on Geordie Spirit.  We're going to stay for a couple of days to make use of the facilities, especially the tumble dryers. 


Our journey from Wheaton Aston to Overwater Marina