UPDATE 11 May 2004 (Day 4):
We drove from friendly Venetian Marina, where they'd made us very welcome, to Bridge 100 on the Shropshire Union where we had finished yesterday. The weather was dry and overcast, which, after yesterday's sunshine, we've learnt is ideal for walking. It wasn't long before we wondered if this is turning into Mark and Peter's wildlife tour, as we spotted a peacock in full display, rabbits, geese and a beautiful young foal on the opposite bank.

Peacock

Foal

We soon reached Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal begins the journey into Wales. This provided the ideal opportunity for a panoramic shot to show off one of the features of Mark's new camera.

Hurleston Junction - right to Wales on the Llangollen Canal

We continued on to Nantwich Junction, where there is a branch off to Nantwich Basin. Here we were presented with some great reflections on the undisturbed canal surface. 

Speed boat?

Nantwich Junction

Nantwich Junction Bridge

When we later passed through the village of Hack Green our nature tour continued as we discovered the real hiding place of the Loch Ness Monster! 

Nessie on Hack Green

John on Burrows Bridge

We had decided to split the day into three sections and met up with John for our first brief stop at Burrows Bridge, near Hack Green Locks. We had a sandwich and cup of tea before setting off again in the direction of Audlem, where there is a flight of fifteen locks. This proved to be a trial for tired legs as the hard tow path surface is particularly difficult going. Before reaching the locks we passed another target of 60 miles so far. At around this point we came upon what must be Swan Heaven as we counted as many as fifty swans in a nearby field.

Swan Heaven?

Busy Audlem Locks

Before our second stop of the day we had to negotiate a further flight of five locks at Adderley, before meeting John again at Adderley Wharf Bridge. The sun came out again as we left Addlerley but fortunately we only had about 3 miles to go before we reached today's target of Market Drayton and the tow path was perfect for walking on. 

Adderley Locks

Perfect tow path

Despite only being 3 more miles it seemed an extraordinarily long way from bridge 64 to bridge 65, which is called Victoria Bridge and marks the approach to Market Drayton, where we will stay in the yard of Holidays Afloat this evening. Market Drayton looks a very attractive town and it would be nice to spend more time here, but the Iron Bridge beckons.

Victoria Bridge (65)

Nearly there

Market Drayton

We were very pleased to find that the Talbot Hotel, a Marston's Public House, was less than 25 yards from our spot in the Holiday's Afloat yard and delighted to be able to report that their beer and food is excellent.

Today's walk was almost exactly 15 miles, taking our total to 67 on the pedometer. The bad news is that today we re-estimated the remaining mileage and we think it may be more than 90 to the Iron Bridge. Never mind, we're getting the hang of it now!