Nantwich and Audlem.

Wednesday 21st September, 2016 at Audlem.
Another pretty day dawned, a little cooler than yesterday but we have been so lucky with the weather this summer.

After breakfast, the crews of MM and Rufford conferred briefly to decide on a plan of action for the day. Jenni & Co decided to go on towards Audlem but we chose to linger awhile to go into Nantwich and visit the marvellous bookshop/coffee shop once more. We said that we would catch up with Rufford at Audlem later in the day and we waved them off shortly afterwards. Will and Ed's skippering skills are certainly coming along apace!

On the way into town, R renewed an old friendship; however, he said the conversation was a bit wooden and definitely one-sided.

Nantwich was largely destroyed by a great fire in 1583, which lasted for almost three weeks. Efforts to dampen the flames were said to be "considerably hampered" by four bears, who had been thoughtfully released for their own safety! The town was rapidly rebuilt and many of the surviving timber frame buildings date from 1584 - including this one, sandwiched between two modern horrors.

The small plaque on the first floor reads:
"God grante our Ryal Queen in England longe to raign for she hath put her helping hand to bild this town again"
It seems that Queen Elizabeth was concerned that vital salt production should not suffer and so donated £1,000 towards the reconstruction of the town.
The bookshop/coffee shop, also built in 1584, is a bit on the wonky side; it sags in the middle, having been built over the filled-in moat of the old castle.

A notice outside indicates that dogs are welcome as well as "Husbands on a tight lead!" R remarked that it's a dog's life anyway!!!!

Inside, the oak floorboards are said to be original (1584!). The coffee was certainly excellent, as was the cake, and the range of books tempting.

We walked back to MM after a short detour to M&S and Boots - just for the essentials, of course!
M steered MM expertly out of Nantwich across the aqueduct and we soon passed the "Secret" Bunker, which we visited with Jamie and Alex in 2013. There are notices for miles around announcing the whereabouts of the "secret" bunker!

We turned into Overwater Marina to refuel. It has just won "Marina of the Year" for 2016. We certainly commend the staff for the first class service that we received and the facilities looked to be excellent, but we did not stop to sample them as we were keen to catch up with Rufford.

Jenni & Co were already moored up just below the Audlem locks when we arrived at tea time. They had already winded as they want to go back up to their base at Nantwich tomorrow.

When we had moored up, we walked up to Audlem Mill, which is renowned throughout the boating community as an excellent arts and crafts shop selling everything boating as well as a range of needlework items and haberdashery. Oh, and Snugbury's ice creams!

It was here that we picked up Jamie and Alex in 2013 on our way to Middlewich.
How many thousands of horses have trudged this way with their tow ropes cutting into the iron?

Back at the boats, we had tea and biscuits on board Rufford before saying farewell to Jenni & Co. It was super to see them again and hopefully we shall visit them in Huddersfield before Christmas.

Today: 6 miles, 2 locks and 2.6 hours. One kingfisher.
Trip: 414 miles, 282 locks and 292.3 hours.