An earlier than usual start (7.45) due to Saltersford tunnel which is one way, you only get a ten minute window to pass every hour, they’re some of the earliest tunnels and rather bendy! A few unexpected showers and Toby got to try out his new waterproof trousers which did the job and kept him dry

A lock free morning and then we hit Middlewich, a hive of activity with all the hire boats returning, and a flight of three locks on a bend which tested Toby’s steering skills.  We did think about mooring up for the day, but the sun was shining and the weather forecast for tomorrow was looking wet so we carried on.

It’s lovely to be back on the singles locks although not so good following another boat (why does that always happen on the singles and never the doubles when you can pair up?!)

We approached Wheelock visitor moorings  gone 6pm and didn’t think there would be a space, I went ahead and found the perfect mooring, and Toby steered Oliver in superbly.  We were just tying up when a boat came past the other way (after going down two locks) and said that he’d walked down, saw the same space and decided to move his boat.  Good job we got there first otherwise we’d have been going up the locks!  Toby topped up the stern tube grease and a quick pasta supper for tea.

The weather for tomorrow is forecast to rain all day so we’ve decided to stay put for the day.