The year of the snake

Chinese New Year celebrations in Chester on Saturday

The firecrackers frightened Molly they were so loud and unexpected! 

We left the moorings at the Chesher Cat this morning ...

Waiting in Tiverton Lock for share boat Vulcan to join us

It’s so much easier to do these wide locks when they’re shared

The Bridge Inn is closed for business but it looks like there is work going on at the front

but this Focus store isn’t so lucky on the other side of the canal

Entering Chester, we’re filling up with water and Vulcan is waiting at Hoole Lock for a boat to come up

I wonder what this warehouse building was used for in times past - perhaps the globe is some sort of a clue??

Approaching the bridge of sighs and Northgate staircase locks.

We’re currently moored at Tower Wharf for a few days before cruising on to Ellesmere Port and the boat museum.

We spent a great evening with friends Andy and Jen over a meal on Saturday in The Cheshire Cat, when we were here last (I think it was during late summer 2008) dogs were not allowed inside, so we were surprised when we rang to book a table and they informed us that small, quite dogs who will sit under the table are welcome in the bar area, so Molly came too!

Yesterday morning (Sunday) we set off to walk into Chester along the towpath ...

… passing Tarvin Lock House on the way now up for sale. Check out this website for a look inside this fabulous grade II listed building with a price tag of just under half a million!

This is as far as we got, just short of Chester town centre and stopped for lunch which was very nice indeed.  The Old Harkers Arms used to be a chandlery owned and run by a Mr Harker; the new owners have done a great job inside.

Whilst walking we received a call from friends Libby and Al who asked if they could spend an hour or so with us in the afternoon - we were delighted to see them again with Poppy and Maisie and look forward to visiting them on the way back from Ellesmere.

15th February 1969

After reading my blog post of yesterday my sister Sandra sent these pictures to me …

Gosh, we were so young!

A good news day

44 Years ago today (15th February 1969) was the best day of my life!

I’m a bit sad though that we don’t have our wedding album on the boat with us, I would have loved to look through it today!

 But never mind I’ve got George here instead!

Yesterday was a good day too - eldest grand-daughter Louise was 18!

and this morning at 3am Victoria Poppy was born - the daughter of our nephew Mat and partner Anna.

We’ve also moved on today from Tattenhall Marina ...

… this is the clock that’s in reception there - the large cog revolves anti-clockwise … 

… it reads 3 mins past 1

The Beluga Aircraft on its way from Broughton Airfield with aircraft wings for Toulouse 

It was so lovely with the sun on our backs as we cruised slowly past the 2-mile line of moored boats at Golden Nook

The towpath though is atrocious - he was peddling like mad and fortunately didn’t fall off!

Daffs!

Currently moored outside the Cheshire Cat where we saw this cormorant drying his feathers 

A couple of pictures of the River Dee in Chester

on one of our retail therapy days.

Cooking an anniversary meal this evening - got the bubbly and the chocs and a lovely man to share it with.

Into Tattenhall

We decided on Sunday morning that we would go back up the locks and moor for a few days where the towpath was in better condition

and as we set off Mr Peacock was showing off on the other side of the canal.

On Wednesday, a beautiful but extremely cold day we decided we’d move back down the locks.

There are some very pretty houses ...

… on this short stretch, but maybe a bit bleak in bad weather.

Maintenance is being carried out on the railway embankment which runs alongside the canal.

A support has been secured to the top edge and heavy plastic sheeting attached, over which the hardcore is placed above caisions 

The top soil that had been removed at the beginning of the job is returned to the bank and what looks like hessian sacking is overlaid.

I’m assuming that another layer of soil will be used for planting and ‘bobs your uncle’ job done!

Although we did glimpse snowdrops under a hedge a week or so ago, this pussy willow at Tattenhall Marina has been the first proper sign we’ve seen that spring really is on its way - lovely.

Terns in the sunset sunrise at 08:40 [edited 12/2/13!!]

and Beeston Castle over the moored boats at Tattenhall Marina

Wow!

The ducks here are cheeky blighters - they jump onto the pontoon and knock at the window then walk up and down following you as you move about inside looking into each window! Right characters they are!

We’ve hired a car, Tescoed, had a bit of real retail therapy (not groceries), had a lovely meal in the Sportsman’s Arms last night, off to visit family today and friends for a meal tonight and tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be back at the Sportman’s for yet another meal.  Life is good!

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!