We do like an enforced lie in with tea and coffee in bed, this time due to Swanley Marina not opening until 9am. A self service pump out at £19.50 so not cheap, but we’ve come to love our self service pump outs, and have quite a well oiled routine. A hire boat arrived for a pump out, when I said it was self service, they screwed up their face and said they’s go somewhere that was manned!

Lots of boats on the move today, and lovely single locks, I even had time for a bit of sunbathing while we waited.

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Some of the paddles were a bit stiff and took a bit of elbow grease to open. I just hope it’s doing wonders for the old bingo wings!

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We saw this rather innocuous black box by the side of the canal, it looks quite new and with two padlocks, there must be something special inside – any ideas?

We stopped at Wrenbury and enjoyed a lunch alongside for once. We then did a circular walk to the local shop, this involved a footpath full of cows, I was very close to turning round and going the other way! We purchased our supplies (milk, bananas and toms…..no ice cream or cake, oh how times have changed) and walked back through the church grounds.

We motored for another hour or so, and found a lovely mooring overlooking the fields. Toby polished off the last flapjack, so we were in need of new supplies ready for tomorrow and potential vlockies at the staircase. Toby offered to make the cookies, it was a packet mix, how hard can it be – just add butter and water. Toby had a sloppy mess from adding too much water, we’ve got cookies, we’ll update you tomorrow as to how edible they are.

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The forecast for today was dry until 10am, with showers coming in from then onwards – so it was pins out and off we went to make the most of the dry weather whilst it lasted.

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First stop for the day was at the nearby Claveley services. It had been pretty busy here on the way up to Chester, but at 9am on a Sunday morning it was very quiet. The water tap filled nice and fast so it wasn’t long before we were back under way.

Mario looks a little lost. Had a few too many beers on Saturday night perhaps?

We reached Hurleston Junction, and the forecast rain was now scheduled for 3pm. Good job too, as there was a long queue of boats for the lock – 9 in front of us when we arrived (a few boats from the other direction, in addition to those in shot). It was all very British, with everyone self-organising who’s turn it was next! Ellesmere Festival is on next weekend so it’s extra-busy at the moment – plus it’s the weekend and school holidays now.

The first lock is a bit of a squeeze due to the lock walls caving inwards, so it’s all manned with CRT personnel doing the paddles, open from 8am to 5pm. Apparently, they get about one boat a day that can’t get through; mostly it’s the older boats that have problems so we were fine.

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1 hour 45 minutes later, and it was finally our turn! Sarah had made the most of the waiting time by doing some washing. Keeping with tradition, we gave the lockies a flapjack each in thanks. The rain was now scheduled to start from 5pm.

We moored up not long after the locks, and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon.

Sarah’s Mum and Dad video-called us for a catch up in the evening. They’re still in training on how to point the phone so we can see them both fully at the same time!

The rain never did arrive, bar an extremely brief and light shower that wouldn’t have even warranted a rain jacket.