Congleton.

After suffering through yesterday's weather today dawned bright with a stiff breeze so it was time to move on. Not having shopped for over a week we were running short of some essentials so it was off to Congleton.

We soon passed Ramsdell Hall, it was built by the Lowndes family around 1760 and is still a private residence. Not a bad little country cottage, mind you the hoovering must take for ever.

First clutch of goslings we have seen this year, posing with the proud parents.
As you approach Congleton you come across the first of the Macc. "snake" bridges.

Virtually all English narrow canals have examples of roving or turnover bridges, they were designed so that when the towing path changed sides the horse did not have to be unhitched from the boat. The Macclesfield ones are just the most elegant design of a roving bridge. They also give you a chance to get all posey with the camera.

Good eh?
The forty-eight hour moorings are opposite the old wharf,

the warehouse of which has been turned into? You guessed, des.res. Seems to be the fate of all old canalside industrial buildings.
After a quick cuppa we grabbed the shopping trolley and headed for the fleshpots,

under Dog Lane Aqueduct and down Canal Road. Ten minutes later we arrived opposite

the fine town hall. Congleton seems a town worth spending an hour or two exploring but we were on a mission so I just managed only

a quick shot up the appropriately named Little Street and one of an old silk mill being converted into,

yes, once again. These have a splendid view of the back of the shopping centre and Morrisons car park, well worth paying £110K for.
It takes a bit more than ten minutes getting back to the boat, dragging a shopping trolley that weighs a ton up a hill that has doubled in length and gradient since you tripped merrily down it. I've noticed this strange phenomenom  on other hills.

Watch this space.............