We met son Matt and his pal Stotty (Yes, he shares the same surname as an Infamous Sir of this parish) in Middlewich on Friday night. Whilst safely stowing Matt's car at Chateau Watson, we also had a chat with Benny, Brenda and Wendy (as well as John and Gillian). Once back at Jannock, bedding was sorted and we retired ready for a hard day on Saturday. Up and into the first lock at 8:45, the new locking bike came into its own with me working ahead and Brenda, Matt and Stotty bringing Jannock through behind. It was not long before we caught up the boat in front who was following Ivor and Mel B. working their pair down the locks. The smooth movement was halted at Hassell Green when the boat in front of Ivor dropped its rudder in a lock. After a fifteen minute wait we all got moving again although we never identified which boat had experienced the rudder misfortune. Stotty has written in the log :- "First outing on a canal, can't have hoped for better weather, it's been great. Lots of locks to get used to, just about able to remember what order to do everything but then again that is only going down a lock, not up. Seems to work up an appetite which has been well and truly filled with a great sausage sandwich. Hope the weather holds out for tomorrow, been a great day today. P.S. At night, Matt took a swing in the dark with the bug-zapping racquet, must have hit a big one, what a pop. Bet it had just finished snacking on me." At Wheelock, Ivor and Mel had pulled onto the waterpoint for lunch so we continued on without stopping. Once we arrived at Middlewich we moored below the three locks and had a go at duck herding using mini-Jannock. They soon get fed up with being chased around and went up on the opposite bank to rest. John and Gill visited us for a drink and social evening before returning home ready for an early start in the morning. Graham www.jannock.org.uk
