Blimey... Where is everyone?

Today was supposed to be a lie in, a leisurely start, but when I woke up both the other boats had gone as had my husband biking!

When David did return, we had breakfast together tidied the boat and set off about 10am.

I had been hoping to meet boats coming up, but really this trip there has been a noticeable lack of boat traffic, I was thinking that it could be connected with Heartbreak Hill (The name of this flight) being closed last week or partially closed because of low water levels.  Good for us of course.

WaL coming along to the lock at Rode Heath.  I was filling the lock and if I'm not mistaken he was probably making himself a coffee.

Down she goes.

Here I was being showered in ash smuts.  The air stank of smoke and in my head I accused this white cottage of being guilty and what horrid neighbours they were, ash fell on the new shiny cars.

But here was the culprit.  An anti-social farmer not making friends.

Getting closer to the motorway.  I always feel smug near motorways as I'm convinced the drivers would prefer to be boating.

Gorgeous rolling fields all the way along this stretch.

I first came across these sheep below,  watching 'This Farming Life' on the BBC.  

One couple had these, the farmer had been persuaded to get a few by his girlfriend.  They washed them, showed them and are now selling them for many many thousands of pounds.  The farmer had never regretted the purchase!

I've not seen any in the flesh before but they are as cute as can be.

HERE   are some better photos of them

Swiss or Valais Blacknosed sheep.

Some rare orchids along here, I've no idea which, but the sign said please do not pick.

Now these were in one place and I love them, perennial Sweet Peas.  I hope the seed spread.

The side wash here was running full pelt at Makins Bank.

Coming out of this lock for a full sized boat is a tricky feat not to clonk the wall, but today all managed fine.  I thought we'd have the next lock in our favour but no.

If you've got bionic eye sight you will see dairy cows in the distance.  Cheshire is a massive dairy county but the cows are hiding in their barns.

Prettiest cottage on the flight, pity it's looking out onto a busy road but still.  

I walked down all the way to wheelock which was in the region of 5.5 miles, (Actually so did Lesley and Amanda) turned almost all the locks and after watering up here I did get on here and sat resting in the sun as we went through Wheelock and out into the countryside.

There with a lovely mooring were the Team members ready and waiting to take ropes, prep the barbie and whip out a couple of corkscrews.

Darling David Lewis was cooking tonight, steaks.  Amanda made my favourite salad that she had made last year in France.

It's a Hugh Feanley-Whittinhstall's recipe from the 

book: How To Eat 30 Plants A Week....

HERE   

Absolutely delicious.

I would have taken so photos of us enjoying a peaceful supper altogether, but as it was a beautiful sunny warm evening all the world and his mother came out walking, cycling, running, fishing and one young man was on a "Uni-Board" or a name very similar, it was a skateboard with a sphere in the centre and some magical motor, he literally posed on it and shot along the tow path,  he'd come from Winsford certainly 6 or 7 miles away!  

We thought we would be undisturbed but we were up and down like corks on the ocean grabbing the dogs and our plates.

Oh how we laughed.