Two reasons we have stayed at Norbury Junction this morning one it was raining also when we looked out the cratch this morning there was a fishing match in front of us, so here we stayed.

Well that changed our plans, we originally planned to travel up the canal marked in blue on the left of the picture and then across to the red marker at the top until they closed the section to the second marker.

So turned around and planned to travel up the canal bottom right to the second red marker but it was announced yesterday they are closing the canal from the third red marker.

After getting to Market Drayton where we caught up with Maria and Andy for an Indian meal in the evening, after a later start after taking Cassie to the vets for more medication for her leg we had a five hour cruise to Norbury Junction.

We made our target mooring of Hack Green to leave it the following morning to tackle the fifteen Audlem Locks passing the Overwater Marina who carried out the repair to the boat.

Today we left the Llangollen heading back down the Shropshire Union Canal cruising through Nantwich to reach our today's target at Hack Green.

As the sunsets on our trip on the Llangollan today we have decided to retrace our steps back along the Shropshire Union Canal due to a shortage of water at Stoke on Trent on the Trent and Mersey Canal causing Lock Closures.

We travelled down Grindley Brook Staircase Locks, the full time Lockkeeper took great joy giving people at the locks a lecture on how the locks worked and how to use them.

Today we left Whitchurch reversing out of the arm passing floral memorials at the end of the Whitchurch Arm.

After shopping in Whitchurch we called into the Black Bear pub for lunch, it was great to see a town where most of the shops were occupied.

Today we completed the Prees Branch turning in Whixall Marina where our friends Mavis and John kept their boat for a while.

On our journey to Whitchurch we encountered a wait at a lift bridge due to everyone sheltering from the extreme weather.

Today we did the mad dogs and Englishmen thing and went out in the midday sun and travelled down the Prees Branch, Hilary had to do a bit of gardening.

The best part was the sunset this evening.

Whilst we moored at the mere it was just right to get the BBQ out and enjoy the view.

In preperation for the forcast hot weather we have moved slightly to Blake Mere where there is plenty of shade and may be a little breeze off the water. 

Before leaving Ellesmere we took a trip to The Mere and had sanwiches and pint in The Boathouse.

The Mere is a hollow in the ground after the Ice Age and filled with water from a melting Glacier.

Today Paul and Jen travelled to meet us at Ellesmere and going out for a Greek Meal.

Yesterday we cruised on to Ellsmere upon mooring up we discovered we had moored with Adrian who was the Assistant Harbour Master and Mick who moored in Brinklow Marina.

So a couple beers were had last night.