Stuck at Audlem

OOPS! Canal traffic around Audlem ground to a halt Friday morning, writes Dave Martin.

Lock cill came apart

On Lock 2, the one nearest the top, the lock cill has come apart, probably due to old age and infirmity. The cill is the equivalent to the doorstep in a house. Unfortunately, there's too much hazard-tape around the lock to get a photo of the offending item.

Until it's repaired, no boats can use Audlem Flight. There's no indication yet as to when it will be fixed, but hopefully it won't be too long... 

27 boats waiting at lock

By late afternoon there were 27 boats moored up on either side of the lock, and probably a good few more down in the village. Photograph by Dave.

The queue contains seven boats heading for the floating market at Market Drayton this weekend: undeterred, the blacksmith has his wares on display, and it looked liked the pizza boat might be going to start cooking.

No doubt the farm shop by the top lock will have done a roaring trade. Every cloud has a silver lining!