And so the gang set off through beautiful countryside and glorious weather! Today was what boating was all about. Two crews to work the wide locks, people coming out the lock or waiting to come in so only half the gate opening/shutting. The staircase was interesting due to the Angry Welsh (Anglo) hire base at the bottom taking up all the space, moored two deep, and two boats coming out to meet us. But all went well, and up we went. We are now moored on the Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch just round the corner from Barbridge junction. Services tomorrow and on to Middlewich for a shop. Again I hear you say! But remember we need fresh food and have a small fridge and even smaller freezer box in it.
19:59 11/06/2009 14.02 miles 8 locks
What a day - the rain had stopped after at least six hours of it yesterday, and we set off for Chester and the staircase lock, travelling with the same hire boat we came down with. Slight chaos at the locks, they stopped for water which delayed us entering the locks, the boat at the top wanted to come down, and 'new what he was doing'.
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| From 2009 Cruise |
This involved leaving a paddle open and putting far too much water in to the locks, sorted in the end and off we went.
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| From 2009 Cruise |
To Tesco's again! Then to the locks where a young lad offered to help, he was local and had just finished exams. So he helped right through the locks and we gave him a lift close to home. If all youth were like him. We ploughed on making up for lost time earlier in the week and taking advantage
of the lovely sunshine. Arrived at our chosen mooring to find Whistler there before us, having sailed this far and turned around. So the gang are all together again ready for the cruise to continue as planned.
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| From 2009 Cruise |
17:54 10/06/2009 8.88 miles 0 locks
Off down to Ellesmere Port boat museum today, lousy forecast so kitted out with best wet weather gear, no rain at all! Very flat country, looks like a flood plain, excellent views of refineries and other industrial works. Had rocks thrown at us at one point but only one hit.
The museum was very interesting, a huge site with plenty of building and things to see.
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| From 2009 Cruise |
It rained whilst we were having coffee, but the journey back was dry, although since then we have had a thunder storm and lots of rain, too much for the sat. dish, so no tennis.
17:28 09/06/2009 7.69 miles 8 locks inc 3 lock staircase
Off to Chester, a very historic place, the walk around the walls is much recommended - we declined the exercise! Shopped again instead. Fascinating mixtures of old, rebuilt and brand new buildings. The staircase locks under the city wall is something to behold, immediately followed by a right angle bend. Luckily we teamed up with a large hire boat with crew to spare, almost the only traffic along this stretch, must find out when they are going back!
Bella met cows close up today, she was not impressed, tail between legs and a quiet 'woof' as we left them. Where has the summer gone? No rain, but distinctly chilly today.
17:56 08/06/2009 6.07 miles 0 locks
Sat around in the morning enjoying a dry day and views over the fields to Beeston Castle (ruin).
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| From 2009 Cruise |
Curlews in the field at night and apparently a Barn Owl, seen by our neighbours. There are nest boxes for them on the top of poles all along the canal. Then a pleasant run in near sunshine (can you have near sunshine?) along a gently winding canal section. Now moored outside Waverton just outside Chester, so it is an early start tomorrow and off to Chester and Tesco's.
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| From 2009 Cruise |
16:51 07/06/2009 3.63 miles 6 locks.
Good start in bright sky - almost saw the sun! Double locks again, Luckily there was quite a bit of traffic so easy to share the locks, which always makes life easier. Lovely canal with rolling hills and woods. One of the locks was a unique 'cast iron' one (photo on the way back when it is not raining). Although a double, a BW warning says not to use it as such as 'due to the construction' two boats may get stuck!!
We are now moored at Wharton's Lock below Beeston Castle, an an impressive looking crag.
17:39 06/06/2009 3.21 miles 0 locks
Frustrating day spent in the rain, we moved slowly up past Hurlestone junction and the Llangollen to Barbridge junction and the Middlewich Branch of the Shroppie we will be taking later. Nothing much to see as it was so wet and miserable, we soon gave up and moored.
Whistler is still without an alternator so we will be going on without them tomorrow.
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