Nantwich to Audlem, 25th April 2022

And we're off. Easter has been and gone, and the starting Gun on the cruising season has been fired. A final load through the laundrette,  and ADS set off at 10:15 to take Vegvisir up to wind at Henhull, while AJS did a shop with the luxury of a car. 

While waiting, AJS entertained by a reverse joust at Nantwich narrows: both boats approached, then went into reverse, waving each other through. After a standoff of some minutes, one plucked up the resolve to accept the other's invitation. Better than a play!

Reunited 50 minutes later, for a slow chug through busy Nantwich. Gently through Hack Green 1 as we were sharing it with a duck and her nine ducklings. Once at the top they escaped into offside shrubberies. Lunch on the move; feta cheese and salad in pittas.

On the way, ADS spotted an ex student, Chris, on their nb Mallard. Greetings and amazement roared at each other as we passed.

Paused at Overwater to fill up diesel, empty the black tank and top up with water, and then on to Audlem, where we moored at the bottom of the flight at around 15:15.

 Weather still fine, in fact properly hot in sunny intervals, so we got on with putting the second of Vegvisir's name panels. It's a tense process, because the panels are large and the vinyl thin and easily stretched and distorted. So very gently we did it, and are reasonably pleased with the results.  Also scrubbed down the solar panels as they now about to earn their keep!

And soon after all that, it was time to patronise the newly re-opened Shroppie Fly, rude not to.  Sadly kitchen closed, staffing issues, so the Lord Combermere will benefit. Happy days, as their menu is gluten free unless otherwise stated, rather than the other way about.