Jewel in crown

The Shropshire Union, or Shroppie, as she is affectionally known, is the jewel in the crown of Britain's canal system. Fabulous scenery and no Scary bits, with easy mooring (apart from a below-water ridge,allegedly put there by the builders for a laugh ) it is the perfect introduction to canal boating. As a result the morning has been a good one, with no locks so far. We've moored in the middle of nowhere, about 6 hours from Chester, where we hope to be re-united with our youngest granddaughters, or not,depending on the prevailing mood. The weather is boiling hot again, which reminds me of a story I meant to relate yesterday. On our way out from Middlewich Lynne decided a major food shop was required, which necessitated a half mile walk to Morrisons. With a large trolley overloaded with eggs, milk, meat and veg we considered hiring a taxi back to the boat but finally decided to "borrow"the trolley and walk it back to the canal bridge nearest Tardis Two. As you know supermarket trolleys are reknown for going their own way, even on level surfaces, but on sloping pavements and hills they are something else !!! Despite strange looks from passers-by and the odd tussle with a push-chair  or two we got along pretty well in the heat. I returned the trolley with similar strange looks and push-chair tussles to be greeted by the customer services assistant with Lynne's credit card which she had left at the till. Lucky, or what? If we had not borrowed the trolley and returned it instead of dumping it in the canal our credit card would have been lost. No boat diesel, no meals out, no life.

Canal water here has returned to the normal beige.