Day 6 and 7 of our voyage. Weather sunny and warm both days. Wheelock – Marston – Runcorn. So far a total of 70 miles, 56 locks and 4 tunnels.
It was very misty when I took my bearded one for his early morning walk with the promise of a sunny day. While the rest of our party were either sleeping or abluting, he cast off and I joined him at my command position on the stern deck ready for a peaceful cruise before breakfast.
9 locks appeared in reasonably quick succession soon after breakfast which suited me as, well rested, I felt ready for more walking, it was a lovely day with blue sky and warm sunshine.
There was a bit of a cafuffle at a descent of 3 locks in Middlewich where they had to pull a boat out that had broken down for a grateful owner. I could only look on and bark encouragement.
We passed through this busy small town of Middlewich and stopped for lunch at “The Big Lock” or at least they did, I sat in my place under the table.
We cruised on through delightful countryside overlooking the vast Cheshire plain. We moored for the night in a wood just outside Marston.
I took them for a lovely evening walk and I let them throw a ball for me, they like it when I bring it back to them. One of my favourite things. We all dined on board.
The next morning, this is now Thursday, the 7th day of our voyage, we had a leisurely start as we had plenty of time to reach our destination. This is to be Runcorn. Here there is a main line station connecting us with Crewe and all points from there. We have a change of crew here. David and Maureen are leaving tomorrow back to Lichfield for their car and our friend Rhylva is arriving on a train from Eastbourne.
We had three tunnels to negotiate today but only a couple of locks. We passed the interesting structure of the Anderton Lift which in fact my owners went on before I was born to enjoy the River Weaver.
Thus we left the Trent and Mersey at Preston Brook and joined the Bridgewater canal. We turned west onto the Runcorn branch with some trepidation as the map guides were all far from enthusiastic. In the event, it was a very pleasant journey quite bucolic in fact. The canal terminated right by the railway station. See drama at end of page.
As the weather continued warm and sunny I took them for another long evening walk before I was once again placed on guard duty – they went to visit a Mr Twoforone for supper this time. There seemed to be a bit of a pub shortage.
My photos over the last couple of days are not very exciting : The Anderton Lift, and the entrance to Saltersford Tunnel – one of three we went through today – exiting one of the tunnels. The last picture, two police cars and an ambulance that turned up with lights flashing and sirens bellowing next to my long kennel which was temporarily moored by the railway station in the centre of Runcorn while my long haired one was shopping!
Some poor soul, possibly on something, was dragged from the canal nearby. A youngish man managed to walk to the ambulance after a half hour of resuscitation. All very exciting!
Sent from my iPad
What a day!
I hate to be the one to break this to you, Douglas. Your bearded and long haired one will be going to the pub every day. They will try and dress up their absence from the long kennel in all manner of ways, but it will always be to the pub.
You may find the following support line helpful: 0845 769 7555.
I also found this: http://www.abandonedandallalone.org/
or this: http://www.myownersareofftothepubagain.com/
Thank you Noah for the help lines. I think my paws are too big to click. Thank you for the stats x
Dear Douglas
We have been following your adventures with keen interest and are pleased to see you have survived a week on the long kennel without too many mishaps … there is some way to go though, so you must remain alert and cautious at all times. It may be worth putting 999 on speed-dial (as well as Noah’s helpful link to AA!) in case of emergencies. If your owners are frequenting canalside hostelries, particularly if this is deemed necessary for breakfast, you may find they, too, slip into the water.
The onus of responsibility is weighty and you are clearly very busy (what with all the risk-assessments that need undertaking, all the “meeting and greeting” that is going on, and the regular security checks that need carrying out) so I think you should at least book a holiday for the near future, or plan a bit of “MEtime” into every day … perhaps it could be incorporated into MEALtime … they are feeding you aren’t they???
With love and strokes, bye for now xx