Tuesday 19 September Ellesmere to Grindley Brook (14 miles, 0 locks, 5 lift bridges)
Heavy rain and strong winds nearly kept us awake - we sleep pretty well! Rain had abated but strong winds made us think twice about cruising today. However, we decided that we would be sheltered from the wind by tall hedges, cuttings and trees, which proved to be the case. Apart from occasional spits of rain, we got all the way to Grindley Brook dry. John did keep his wet weather gear on, though!
John tested the new led headlamp in Ellesmere tunnel. Blake Mere looked lovely as we passed.
We passed scores of moored boats, and quite a few oncoming boats, one of two in bridge holes.
A lovely surprise was to see John and Barbara Lower on their boat Madeley Wood. John is coauthor of that excellent book “Boating on the Trent”, available online from the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
John Lower sent us this picture of Annie. Thanks, John.
Mooring near the water points, we saw the lockie and mentioned we would be going down the locks in the morning. They start at 9am, we were told.
After a good coffee and cake in the Lockside Cafe, we adjourned to the boat.
Wednesday 20 September Grindley Brook to Wrenbury (6 miles, 10 locks)
Rain poured down during the night and woke us up. We had very early coffee before sleeping again. NB Ivannreminded us of our lovely brother in law Ivan, who died recently. God Bless him.
We awoke about 8am to clouds but no rain, so moved to the services to empty loo cassettes, then moved Annie onto the top lock of the triple staircase, made ready by the CRT Volunteers.
The rain just about stayed off as we travelled to the three moor locks, passing a number of boats. 
That tree was actually down 50 yards before Willey Moor lock, but we squeezed past in light rain. John spotted a CRT crew sat in their truck in the pub car park, so we didn’t bother to alert CRT!
We waited at Marbury lock for a boat to come up.
The lift bridge by the small garden centre was very hard work for Liana. 
Once through the electric lift bridge at Wrenbury, we moored up and eventually had a decent meal at the Dusty Miller (the first meals were tepid, so we sent them back. The second attempts were hot and fine).
Later, we heard Wrenbury church bells, so John walked over and joined the ringers at their practice. He was made very welcome, so thank you!
Thursday 21 September Wrenbury to Barbridge Inn (8 miles, 9 locks)
Liana had a bad night coughing, so was left to sleep while John made breakfast for himself and tea for us both. Eventually we set off after 9am in bright sunshine. John was in shorts and short sleeved shirt for the first time in days, so hurrah!
Our friend Jan has just had a major operation, so we were very pleased to hear of a good outcome. God Bless.
Once through Church lift bridge, we enjoyed the sun on the way to the three Baddiley locks. We crossed over with two boats there, so pleasant chats were had this lovely morning.
Liana made ‘fancy coffee’ from sachets on the way to the two Sxxxxx locks. We kept passing hire boats and one or two liveaboards on the way to Hurleston.
The CRT volunteers helped us down the four locks at Hurleston. We crossed over twice with boats on the way down.
Turning North, we pootled along a couple of miles in the sun to Barbridge, where we moored outside The Barbridge Inn.
After making pasta bolognaise, John went to the pub for a pint and to use their Wi-Fi to watch Liverpool FC on his iPhone. Klopp played a young team against Austrian side LASK (I hadn’t heard of them, either!). After falling behind, they won 3-1 after bringing on some senior players.
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