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!

The internet and the blog

Yes, we are still in the land of the living!

We’re currently in Cheshire; the 3-mobile wi-fi informs me that we have an H-4bar signal, but can I load photos onto my blog? NO!!!

I have some great pictures to upload - but no chance and it’s been like this now for 3 days, before that there was no signal at all!

Can’t understand why 4G is being tested when the larger parts of rural areas can’t even get a basic service.

I’m feeling rather frustrated!

A couple of miles

Moving on towards Calverly today, just a couple of miles

She loves to be wrapped up warm in her favourite cruising place

Now moored up for the rest of the day  

with much better views than we had yesterday!

Visitors

Diane and Ray came as arranged to collect the self-pump-out kit to transport to NB Waiouru

A very pleasant couple of hours was spent getting to know each other and talking about the usual boaty things - toilets, secondary glazing, toilets, 2013’s cruising and other plans, etc., oh and did I mention … toilets!

Great to meet both of you and we look forward to our next meeting somewhere on the cut in the not too distant future.

After Ray and Diane had left we went for a walk along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union.  The wind was rather fierce again today and the return walk against it was a bit difficult at times! 

Not sure what they were doing - perhaps repairing a breach waiting to happen ...

… or just adding an extra stretch of piling?

No, this is not the sea, just the wind on the canal!!

Working boats Elements and Telford moored near the junction

A good day today!

Cheerio Nantwich

Yesterday (Tuesday) - 

Lucky to catch a glimpse of this flying narrowboat!

It’s time to go, new batteries fitted, ice gone and the forecast for Wednesday is 

gale-force winds of up to 40 mph

After popping into town to get last minute groceries and having some lunch we moved off to the water point; we needed fuel too but there was a boat already on that pontoon so we reversed back once the tank was full

Crusader shared ownership Venus with Colin on board moved forward for us to pull in behind to top up the diesel tanks and we were away.

We moved just 3 miles to Barbridge and were hoping to have a meal at the pub but the towpath was far too muddy to negotiate in the dark.

Sunshine today but the forecast was correct, the winds are ferocious - glad we hadn’t planned to move on again!

George had arranged to meet Colin in the Barbridge Inn this afternoon so we decided that we would have a meal out at lunch time. Instead of walking on the towpath over bridge 100 we walked towards the Middlewich branch, then over the next bridge, turned back on ourselves onto the pavement and arrived at the pub with clean shoes!

What a complete waste of time!  We’ve called in at the Barbridge for about 35 years both when passing by boat and by car whilst living near Chester and we’ve never been refused entry because we had a dog with us.  I was gutted!

Their loss ... and they must lose a lot too, from passing boaters and towpath walkers.   George walked me and Molly back to RnR and then returned for his pint - while I had a root round in the freezer for something for dinner tonight! Not a happy bunny!

A snow day that didn’t happen!

Yesterday the forecast was heavy snow starting around 1pm.  We were due to collect a hire car at 3 to enable us to get to Rose Narrowboats to pick up the new batteries so we contacted Enterprise Cars to get the car at about 11 to avoid the bad weather.

Taken at 9:30 yesterday morning - and that sky certainly heralds bad weather of some kind!

(I’ve even managed to get 2 buzzards in the picture - top let - click photo to enlarge)

The canal did freeze overnight but only very lightly and soon melted away with the shower water and the snow came eventually but in the late evening.  When we awoke this morning there was a fresh 3” on top of yesterday’s ice, but the air soon warmed up and we were good to go and set off down the M6.

We are now the proud owners of 4 brand new sealed unit batteries which George will fit on Monday after returning the hire car to Crewe.  Tomorrow is a visit to family whilst we still have the transport.

C&RT need boaters comments ...

Email received yesterday - if you are concerned regarding the overstaying on visitor moorings in the south of the area please read and comment.

Talk to us! I’m sending you this email because our records show that you are a regular or occasional user of the canals in our south east region.  It’s to invite your comments on proposals for changes to the maximum stay times at 22 of the most popular visitor mooring sites.  Jeff Whyatt, the waterway manager discussed these at his local user group meetings over the past couple of years and Julia Moore helped him with local discussions with representatives of boating organisations.  This resulted in a detailed schedule of proposed changes which we would like to start putting in place for April of this year.  More recently, our new board of Trustees and the Trust Council considered national policy relating to casual mooring along the towpath and confirmed, amongst other things, the importance of measures to improve compliance with visitor mooring rules. I hope you will take a few minutes to go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/consultations, read the South East Visitor Mooring proposals and send us your feedback using the special form.  You have until 1st March to do this. We cannot easily reach boaters without internet access so would be really grateful if you could help us communicate this message to others you meet over the coming days.  We can post out paper copies of the document and feedback form to anyone on request to 03030 404040. Many thanks and best wishes Damian Kemp Boating Communications & Consultations Manager Canal & River Trust