I've placed a link here to aid with the description of this lovely place. www.overwatermarina.co.uk/
If you click on the web cam, you can see our yellow van parked in the distance!
The owners, local dairy farmers, are friendly people who appear to have done their homework. After 12 years of planning and consultation, they began building the marina in late August of last year. We actually passed the new sign that was advertising the forthcoming event at that time, whilst cruising back to St. Mary's Marina with Harry and Elaine. It was then, that Harry mused about how nice it would be, mooring in this area. Little did we know, that through circumstance, we would end up here and just in the nick of time I may add.
Although completed in April this year (yes, that's completed and in only 8 months), it's beginning to fill up with moorers. Probably, due to the fact that it nestles alongside the famous Shropshire Union canal, which boasts a constant flow of boat traffic, to and from the picturesque village of Audlem and beyond.
Although completed in April this year (yes, that's completed and in only 8 months), it's beginning to fill up with moorers. Probably, due to the fact that it nestles alongside the famous Shropshire Union canal, which boasts a constant flow of boat traffic, to and from the picturesque village of Audlem and beyond.
Audlem parish church, right in the centre of the village
Wooden framed buildings & roads so narrow that they have to warn of oncoming vehicles.
The shop on the corner is an olde fashioned sweet shoppe, just like something out of a Charles Dickens story. Bah Humbug!
Although a relatively new development, how quaint is this little court yard.
On our first day at the marina, we were introduced to the staff and in particular, the plan of the marina, illustrating available mooring slots. We were both keen to secure a place near to the canal and not really overlooked by boats across the marina. Bingo! Chrissie spotted a couple of berths on the plan that were available on pier 'I' (for Ivy) and overlooked the canal. These were on a pier that was much sought after by all accounts. It was only the fact that the 'dot', indicating the initial of the name of the pier, had been inadvertently placed over the two remaining berths, suggesting that they'd been taken. www.overwatermarina.co.uk/about/layout.html If you can make out the dot with the letter 'I' on it, you'll notice how close to the cut we are and also, the island feature in the middle of the marina at our end.
Wooden framed buildings & roads so narrow that they have to warn of oncoming vehicles.
The shop on the corner is an olde fashioned sweet shoppe, just like something out of a Charles Dickens story. Bah Humbug!
Although a relatively new development, how quaint is this little court yard.
On our first day at the marina, we were introduced to the staff and in particular, the plan of the marina, illustrating available mooring slots. We were both keen to secure a place near to the canal and not really overlooked by boats across the marina. Bingo! Chrissie spotted a couple of berths on the plan that were available on pier 'I' (for Ivy) and overlooked the canal. These were on a pier that was much sought after by all accounts. It was only the fact that the 'dot', indicating the initial of the name of the pier, had been inadvertently placed over the two remaining berths, suggesting that they'd been taken. www.overwatermarina.co.uk/about/layout.html If you can make out the dot with the letter 'I' on it, you'll notice how close to the cut we are and also, the island feature in the middle of the marina at our end.
This view illustrates Paddy's play ground. I've had to drive a mooring stake into the earth, with a rope to anchor Paddy in place.
Otherwise, this is what happens!
Looks like he's wrestling with a Shroppie Shark.
He relishes the fact that dogs are allowed to run free, providing they're well behaved and their owners clean up after them. Unfortunately, not all of them do!
The people in these parts are typically friendly countrified folk. We enjoy the weekly visits into Audlem, not just to sample that fire water from the Shroppie Fly, but to witness the activities around the locks that cradle next to the Audlem Mill. A sanctuary for boating enthusiast like us two Hobbits. www.audlemmill.co.uk/
The mill can be seen just beyond the pub in the foreground.
A typical example of the many traditional style boats that pass, or, rest a while. Their crew often take refuge by the famous wooden bar in the pub, only to be offered remnants of the recent beer festival and if they're sensible, choosing something less corrosive from the pumps.
Take a look at the tunnel lamp. Is that
traditional or what?
Anyway, I digress. One of the features here on the marina is the security, a facet of Scarisbrick Marina that we wholeheartedly appreciated. The difference here though, is that you enter the complex through electrically operated gates, you're armed with an electronic 'key fob' that restricts access to moorers only. No ramblers, gongoozlers, or, for that matter, potential thieves to disturb your well earned peace.
Clearly marked, unambiguous signage. It really doesn't take a Master's Degree in communication skills, to get the message across.
Clearly marked, unambiguous signage. It really doesn't take a Master's Degree in communication skills, to get the message across.
Key fob access control.
Entry available from the comfort of your car!
Access to the marina cafe is separated from the moorer's entrance, thus negating the need to do battle for your exclusive parking space. All gates that could possibly allow intrusion onto the moorer's berths, are armed with neat combination shoot bolts. Consequently, the only thing that may disturb us here, are the colony of ducks that live on the island feature seen here to the stern of our boat.
These chatty little creatures appear to laugh rather than quack the night away. It sounds as though they're jollying about the fact that they're exempt from mooring fees and moreover, don't need the combination to the gates, or, a fancy key fob! Who's the clever ones around here then?(except when a new Chinese restaurant opens up locally) I'm quite partial to a slice of crispy duck.
The office building which is open 7 days a week, is situated at the south end of the marina. Within this building, lies the Overwater base for Rugby Boat Sales, also manned throughout the week.
Makes sense really, doesn't it?
The cafe
Somewhat small in comparison to our previous two marinas. Nevertheless, getting busier every week as awareness increases.
The owners recently held a Tappas evening, which was held as a great success. Next stop, the local Indian restaurant is sending some of it's staff along to create a Biryani bash.
The Boat house and Chandlery.
Equipped for all of the usual tasks on your boat, but, with the added facility where you can buy anything that is listed online from the mainstream chandlers, without any surcharge!
Shimple!!
The diesel & Pump-out pier. Well away from berths so as not to disturb moorers.
Pump-out charges average out at £12.50 if you buy two tokens. It's a DIY facility that suits us fine. There's also a separate water hose for flushing purposes, ideal!
Situated near the marina entrance, this facility is practical not only for moorers, but also, passing boaters. The pier can be accessed from both sides, to allow a couple of boats to enjoy the services.
All in all, the marina has many advantages over others we have encountered. It seems that this next generation of mooring complexes are evolving in their design. Not before time!
It would also appear that increasing competition has woken the present and potential owners of marinas, to the fact that they will no longer hold a captive market. Boaters are becoming increasingly transient when it comes to berthing facilities (most of them, anyway) and act accordingly if their needs are not met!
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