A good cruise ...

We are currently moored at Tattenhall Marina where we shall be hiring a car to visit friends, family and the shops in the Chester area - brill! 

I’ve spent a couple of hours this morning in the marina's reception area trying to get on line via their wi-fi and although it wasn’t what I’d call ‘fast’ it worked - took 2-hours to upload the photos below - I’m now back on Rock n Roll and the signal is still holding strong - let’s hope it continues!

Going back to Saturday 2nd February at Calverley ...

… 09:15 in the brilliant morning sunshine ...

… reflecting off the bridges, boats, water and hedges.

I especially liked these muted colours on the field beyond the towpath

Half ten saw us on our way again to the double locks we shall descend into Chester.

No ‘shuffle’ today on the staircase ...

… at Bunbury as I on went on my own from the top lock down the stair into the bottom one ...

… looking back at the huge gates towering above me and the spumes of water leaking through them over the cill ...

… whilst George removed some debris from the water - wouldn’t want that around the prop!

Tilstone Lock with it’s wharf side building now a residential property - the date over the door states 1838.

Bridge 106 Tilstone Mill Bridge where  you can see the overflow from the lock is holding me against the towpath …

… as I wait for George to close those heavy gates and watch the water pouring in from the top making the task even harder.

A lake not far from the towpath decants its water into the River Gonwy

Approaching Beeston Stone Lock past a couple of well cared for working boats and its distinctive round lengthman’s building on the left ...

… and leaky gates!

We’ve often looked at this ‘structure’ and are not sure at all what it is.  The arch and building at the top appear to be old but you may be just able to see the air vent which suggests something underground - any idea’s out there?

We moored up just above Wharton Lock.

I contacted some old friends to see if they are free to join us as The Shady Oak pub tonight - and they are!

So we walked down to check the pub out as we would hate to arrive tonight and find that they wouldn’t let Molly in.  A strange sight in the pub garden - a peacock and chickens!

… I need not have worried, dogs are welcome in all areas - thank goodness!

… and the peacock was on the towpath when we walked back to the boat! The towpath was so muddy in places that we decided to move RnR down Wharton Lock to moor opposite the Shady Oak.

Couldn’t resist sharing these pictures taken at 6 pm.

We had a great evening at the pub catching up with Andy and Jen and arranged to meet up again next weekend when we’ve got a car available. A really brilliant day!