13th-16th July 2020 – Audlem to Market Drayton – 20 Locks and counting…
So after sailing from Nantwich and mooring at Hack Green we arrived at Audlem lock number 15. There are 15 locks in the flight (hence the number 15) and as we are going up the flight, they count down to 1 for us. The locks are not huge and look very well maintained so they should be a nice bit of exercise. Of course they would be if you’d not recently dislocated your finger! Still, Wendy is a toughy and I am sure she’ll get through this.
Not long after Audlem is Adderley locks which is a similar flight of 5 locks. We stopped for the night between Audlem and Adderley which meant we did not do all 15 locks in one day, instead we did seven to get past Adderley. The scenery here is lovely and very rural with large green open fields on all sides and some cattle and farm buildings to make things interesting. Once we are through these 5 locks, there is another 5 a little after the next town which is Market Drayton. When we are done with those, there is just 2 left before we are on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal.
Wendy winding the last lock for the day. 😎️ 
It’s tough but I am up for it 😋️ 
The Shroppy is very pretty
So, with all those locks out of the way we are going into Market Drayton for the night and to catch up with Caroline and Steve and get some provisions.
Market Drayton is a lovely old town with some very pretty buildings. Unfortunately I have a really sore foot still and so walking around this town is not really an option – still Wendy was very understanding about that of course. We stocked up with some provisions and then had a evening on the towpath with Steve, Caroline, Bob and Maureen – some new and old friends mixed with beer went down very well indeed!
An old pillbox on the way into the town from the canal
Artful Dodger 