Ella Repainted Autumn 2026 Week 2

 Monday 7th September - Cox Bank to Market Drayton

A new week and we have decided to move on so we are in Market Drayton for Dave’s birthday on Tuesday.  The canal passes through the Cheshire Plains renowned for its dairy farming, we were amazed at the number of cows in this field, not something we see around Worcester!

Approaching Adderley Locks with the Visitor Moorings in the background, out in open countryside but somewhere we have never stopped so we’ve added it to the list.

Moored up in Market Drayton and went for a walk into the town to get some essentials before walking back to the boat.  We passed Grove School and their enormous playing fields and spotted a robot painting the lines for the rugby pitch - how up to date is that?

5 miles, 7 locks, 3hrs 6mins

Tuesday 8th September - Market Drayton

Today is Dave’s birthday - Happy Birthday!  The two boys sitting together during our walk.

We celebrated with a walk up the canal to the Tyrley Locks - a favourite of Dave’s that he used to do on a regular basis when we lived in Market Drayton.

Love the dappled shade as you approach the locks through a deep atmospheric red sandstone cutting.  We have a very similar framed photo on the wall in our apartment in Worcester.

The walk took us past The Four Alls pub which unfortunately was closed and according to a lady we met, has been for some time.  Such a shame, as it was always a decent stop for a drink whilst out walking.  We spotted this pretty looking donkey in a field further down the road.

Toby stopped for a paddle and a drink in the River Tern as it flows through the town, it was a favourite stop for him as a puppy.  We then made our way round to The Red Lion where we had a birthday lunch/dinner before heading back to the boat for the evening.

Wednesday 9th September - Market Drayton to Cheswardine

Leaving Market Drayton with a roof covered in pine needles, waiting for the wind to blow them off!  Heading for the first of the Tyrley Locks, not another boat in sight apart from passing one in this rather narrow channel.  We stopped at the top of the locks to put on water then continued on our way to Cheswardine.  

The Wharf Inn at Cheswardine, unfortunately it isn’t a dog friendly establishment so we don’t tend to visit here.  It has a very large caravan park attached to it so it is always busy.

We walked along the canal following a footpath through the woods but it was too overgrown to get through even though we could see the footpath signs through the brambles.  Toby had a good time running through the wood so he got his exercise.  There is a smart glamping site in the wood with these futuristic looking tents so that might explain why the footpath has been neglected!

3.5 miles, 5 locks, 2hrs 36mins

Thursday 10th September - Cheswardine to Norbury Junction

Today we leave Cheswardine and head for Norbury Junction.  On the way we passed The Wrekin in the distance.  We used to climb this little hill a lot, one time in a blizzard with high winds at the top.  Toby was still quite small and I thought he would get blown off the top!

We’ve seen plenty of grey heron on this canal and I was fortunate to get this one as it took off, flying past the boat still quite close to the ground.

This photo is taken on Shebdon Embankment, and among the trees is a farm just below the canal.  We’ve discovered that the farm was there before the canal and had uninterrupted views across the landscape all around the farm. That was until Telford built the canal and suddenly the view was blocked by this enormous structure.  I don’t suppose they were very happy about it!

Embankments are followed by deep cuttings and this cutting has this unusual double arch with a telegraph pole in the top arch.  In 1861, the United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company ran cables down the canal and mounted a telegraph pole right inside this small strainer arch.

7.5 miles, 0 locks, 3hrs 12mins

Friday 11th September - Norbury Junction to Brewood

Today we move on to Brewood and hopefully find a mooring near the Christmas Tree!  On the way we passed a boatyard with this boat out of the water.  It is a Joule’s boat, the pub we went to in Market Drayton was the Joule’s tap where they brew the beers.

This is the aqueduct over the Fosse Way, a busy road but nice and quiet above it.

We found our mooring and once we were safely tied up we went for a walk into Brewood.  Hoping to go to the butcher and greengrocers we were disappointed to see that they were both closed down.  Even the bakers was shut, so it was a bit sad.

Speedwell Castle was paid for by proceeds won from betting on 'Speedwell', a horse owned by the Duke of Bolton. It is thought to have been built in around 1750 by William Rock, and was built in the Gothic style. Between about 1896 and 1936 the building was used as a shop and was later converted into flats. 

10.25 miles, 1 lock, 4hrs 54mins

Saturday 12th September 

The Christmas Tree we remember from many years ago, our mooring was just in front of the tree with open views across the farmland.

Ella looking neat and tidy on our mooring.  We spent the day quietly onboard and then met friends Anne and Steve in the Bridge Inn for lunch.  Many thanks to them for coming out to meet us, it was an enjoyable lunch!

Sunday 13th September - Brewood to Compton

Today we are moving on, leaving the Shropshire Union behind and turning right onto the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal.  We have heard that the Wolverhampton 21 locks are open at weekends only with a maximum of 8 boats each day.  So we have booked a passage up the locks on 26th September and we are going to spend the time until then cruising along this canal.

A tree down across the canal, but fortunately we could squeeze past as the top of the tree was just little branches with leaves.

Autherley Junction where we turn right after going through a stop lock of 6 inches.  There are usually loads of hire boats moored up here, but apparently the gentleman moving a boat said they were all out - all 17 of them!  Whilst waiting for the lock, a boat turned into bridge hole ahead of me and I had nowhere to go.  We had to wait for him to back off so we could get clear of the junction, a manoeuvre which proved to be quite difficult so it took quite a while.

The Fingerpost post pointing the way we wanted to go, it goes as far as Stourport and then down onto the River Severn, but we won't be going that far.

There was no space above the lock in Compton so we went through the lock and moored below it.  Unfortunately it must be a black spot for WiFi as we had no signal strong enough to do anything, hence this blog being posted on Monday instead of Sunday!

We walked along the disused railway track and found the abandoned station now called Cupcake Lane, evidence of the platforms visible among the trees.  A lovely walk and a quiet evening on the boat reading and crocheting!

7.75 miles, 2 locks, 3hrs 18mins

Ella Repainted Autumn 2026 Week 1

 Monday 31st August - Audlem to Coole Pilot Visitor Moorings

Today we decided to move the boat down towards Nantwich.  We set off towards Audlem and turned the boat in the winding hole before the locks then continued back the way we had come.  As you can see from the photo it was very overcast and surprisingly windy, so when we reached the moorings at Coole Pilot we decided that was enough and moored up for the night.

We were quite close to the Hack Green Secret Bunker and as we had never been decided this was a good opportunity. The  bunker stayed secret for more than 50 years but now you can visit the labyrinth of rooms and authentic equipment used to run this defence region in the event of a National Emergency. In the event of World War III the Russians would not need to occupy the British Isles to achieve a military victory. They did however, arm and plan to neutralise Britain. Should that eventuality have occurred Hack Green stood ready yet again to play its part to oversee the survival of Cheshire and the government, post nuclear war.

During one of my walks I found several blackthorn bushes ladened with sloes and picked about 600g with the intention of making sloe gin. When we are in Nantwich I will need to buy a Kilner Jar, gin and some sugar to start the process off, we shall then have sloe gin for Christmas!

1.75 miles, 0 locks, 48mins

Tuesday 1st September - Coole Pilot to Nantwich

We are moving on today to Nantwich, here we are approaching Hack Green locks.  Completed in 1835 as part of the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal, the engineer Telford designed this stretch to be as straight and efficient as possible. By using long embankments, deep cuttings, and minimizing the overall number of locks, the canal company sought to compete with the rapidly emerging railway networks.

Below the locks is this winding hole.  When we used to moor the boat at Overwater Marina this used to be one of our favourite excursions, cruise down the canal, through the locks, turn the boat, back up the locks and moor at Coole Pilot for a cream tea!   

Once we had moored up, a trip into Nantwich in search of Kilner jars and gin!

3.75 miles, 2 locks, 1hr 42mins

Wednesday 2nd September - Nantwich

A lazy day, a walk in to Nantwich and some relaxing time on the boat.

Thursday 3rd September - Nantwich to Audlem

After a day relaxing in Nantwich, it is time to move on.  We have decided to continue towards Chester and wind the boat at the first winding hole, come back the way we have come and go as  far as Coole Pilot.  This is Nantwich Aqueduct, recently renovated and looking very smart. Restoration work was carried out in 2015. The project won the restoration and historic environment category of the Canal & River Trust's Living Waterways Awards in 2016.

At the Hack Green locks there is a building which used to stable the horses that towed the Shroppie fly-boats along the canal.  Running non-stop, day and night, with an all male crew they delivered the important and perishable goods, around the clock over the UK waterway network.  We moored up at Coole Pilot and had some lunch but there was a tractor in the field across the canal which seemed to be running it’s engine in order to extract water from the canal so we decided to move on to Audlem.

A quick shop in Audlem especially calling into the butchers - Oxtail and Trotter - where they sell excellent fresh meat.

 

Sunset over the canal.

8.5 miles, 2 locks, 4hrs 30mins

Friday 4th September - Audlem

Today we have emptied and tidied all the lockers in the stern and bow of the boat.  We’ve treated the bow lockers with a rust converter and will paint them with a special bilge and locker paint as soon as we are able.  De-cluttering and organising the lockers was extremely satisfying!

Saturday 5th September - Audlem to Cox Bank

A lovely start to the day and we decided to cruise up the locks to Cox Bank.  The lock beside the Shroppie Fly was very busy with on lookers and people using the pub.  We had stopped below this lock to fill up with water and used our newly sorted bow locker!

The next lock along is this one with a very strong by water coming down the side of the lock and straight into the path of the boat.  Unfortunately a lot of bumping along a wood barrier placed strategically along the left hand of the lock entrance, but not too much damage done to the blacking.  The touch up paint will come in useful here!

We moored up at the Visitor Moorings above Lock 3 and went for a walk on the other side of the canal.  A lovely view of Ella.

The walk took us into Cox Bank village, very quiet and picturesque, then down the hill towards the canal to the lock beside the farm which has a shed full of cakes, pasties and ice cream!  So armed with brownies and shortbread we returned to the boat and settled down for the evening.  

1.25 miles, 13 locks, 2hrs 24mins

Sunday 6th September - Cox Bank

A quiet admin day, catch up with correspondence and banking before lunch and a walk across country to Audlem and back up the 13 locks in the afternoon.

This farmhouse is on the land the footpath passes across and the brick arch makes me think of carriages arriving carrying lavishly dressed people for a celebratory ball, the carriages and horses being cared for in the stables in the yard behind the house.  Bridgerton comes to mind!

Walking across the field towards Audlem, the large church on the hill visible on the skyline.  This used to be a favourite walk when we lived in Market Drayton.

At the bottom of the slope you cross a little stream, beautifully clear and very inviting for Toby, he loves gently flowing water to drink and cool off in.

This is the Old Grammar School in School Lane. This is a grade II* listed building, founded in  1655, and is one of the finest in Audlem, second only to the Church in historic importance.  It was used s a Care home for many years but has been sold at auction and there appears to be work going on behind herrous fencing.

As we sat at the Shroppie Fly, the large working boat moored opposite the pub moved across the canal, it is called nbStanton, built in 1936 and used to carry coal for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co until the 1960’s.

Ella Repainted Autumn 2026

 Friday 28th August - Overwater Marina

Today we travelled by car to our new mooring at Nelson’s Wharf where we met Steve (the owner) and left the car.  Steve then drove us to Rugby Railway Station where we caught a train to Crewe.  Delays meant that we missed our connection to Nantwich and in very heavy rain we managed to get a taxi to take us to Overwater Marina.

This is Ella as we left her at the end of the Repaint Cruise, looking very tired and sad.

Andy Russell has worked on Ella over the past month and worked miracles with a lovely new paint job and updated signwriting.

He has even signed the boat ‘Lovingly Hand Painted by Andy Russell’ exactly as I wanted!

We have the traditional sun and moon depicting working from dawn to dusk with the contrasting harlequin diamonds.

Andy has even put the boat name Ella on the gunwale at the bow of the boat, that was a surprise when we found that!

New scroll for our motto…

…and Ella with Diglis and extra scrolls to even out the design.

Ella, looking resplendent in her new livery.  A super job done by Andy and also thanks to Matt and his team for the blacking and all the little extras they have done.  

We stayed overnight on this pontoon as it was very heavy rain and we shall move Ella out of the Marina tomorrow.

Saturday 29th August - Overwater Marina to Audlem Winding Hole

Woke this morning to sunshine and blue skies so decided to move out of the Marina and onto the Canal.  We turned right out of the entrance and travelled all of 0.5 miles.

We moored opposite the River Weaver and just below the start of the Audlem Locks.  Soon after we had tied up the rain started and has kept going most of the day, this is the view out of the pram hood, lots of rain which we desperately need!

The view back along the canal, a whole line of boats stretching back almost as far as the Marina.  The 14 day ruling for moving boats has been suspended because of the low water situation but hopefully this rain will help to improve the problem.

0.5 miles, 0 locks, 10mins

Sunday 30th August - Audlem Winding Hole

Today we have decided to stay on our mooring and spend the day sorting the boat and arranging where to put things on the roof.  We walked into Audlem during the morning and visited the Bank Holiday Fete, coming away with local honey, eggs and books, a good haul!

The River Weaver flows close to Audlem here before heading northwards across the Cheshire Plain towards Nantwich.  This is one of the ponds close to the river which attracts many wading birds.  The Kingfisher regularly breeds in the sandy banks of the river and along the canal.