Since our last guests departed,  we’ll have spent a few days bobbing around Nantwich  and making the long walk into town a few times to re-stock the boat.

We’ll be ready to cast off when our new travelling companions arrive around 13.30hrs.  Once on-board  after an introductory blah blah ( and probably a glass of something  bubbly),  we’ll head off and not stop  until we reach Audlem… we’ll then have to decide (depending on time) whether we begin the flight (we can pause overnight about half way up) or wait until morning… I suspect it’ll be the latter but we can play it by ear.

Whatever decision has been made, the next morning will see us heading for Market Drayton where we’ll moor as early as possible and explore the town. We’ll have seen signs for an oxi moron:  ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’… perhaps worth a visit if time allows.

Our  2 night will probably find us moored in Gnossall  and the skipper might demand a night off cooking by suggesting  a trip to either the Navigation Inn or the Boat Inn (he can’t remember off hand which is the best for food but will be able to when he sees it).

Next day as we continue our (southerly) voyage, we’ll probably stop for lunch around Wheaten Aston (perhaps topping up with diesel as it is refuted to be the cheapest on the canal network) and after passing through Brewood, we’ll chug out to a quiet mooring area before Autherley Junction.

Next day, we’ll make our way to Autherley, through the stop lock and turn left on to the Staffs & Worcs. canal. And most likely stop for the evening around the Anchor Inn – we may even dine there if the Capt. Is feeling like a night off cooking.  Once we get underway again, Next stop  will be Penkridge and after a look around there, we’ll probably chug on and spend the evening moored at the lovely ‘Tixall Wide’.

Our journey takes us on to Great Haywood Junction, where we turn left back onto the Trent & Mersey canal again and we’ll meander our way back up to Stone where our guests will depart following breakfast on the final morning of the trip.

None of the mooring places are set in stone on this trip – it’s not a particularly leisurely cruise with about 5 hours cruising most days   but  we can make time to stop and explore if desired  and make up time as and when we need to.

This journey is approximately  68 miles, of narrow canals; 45 narrow locks and 21 aqueducts or under-bridges.