And so to Ellesmere Port

Time to move on; we’ve managed George has managed to rub down, rustproof and black gloss above the gunwales whilst we’ve been here so Rock n Roll is now ready for the summer

Leaving Tower Wharf yesterday after filling the water tank ...

… heading under the turn-over bridge 126 past all the new apartment buildings which have sprung up since we were here last 4 years ago.

It was a cold day, cloudy with the occasional brighter interval and brief snow flurry

Approaching the very stylish disused railway viaduct bridge 132A with it’s lovely arches on both sides of the bank

and passing the busy M53 charging up and down to our right

and NB Badger Sett who was moored behind us at Tower Wharf and is also on it’s way to Ellesmere Port

Past Cheshire Oaks which is unfortunately not accessible from the canal and where our son and family were shopping a as we passed

Signs of huge industry lining the Manchester Ship Canal

and a cormorant which appeared to struggle to get above those wires

C&RT contractors busy at bridge 144

cutting back the overhanging trees and bushes on the offside

and it’s times like this when I wish we had a multi-fuel fire!

Skinny snow sticks on Molly’s bedding for a fleeting moment

We’ve arrived - we need to arrange for the trip boat to be moved so that we can drop down into the lower basin

descending Whitby Top Lock at the National Waterways Museum

and the view to my left as I go

Whitby Bottom Lock - this is what Geoff calls a ‘pisser’ and it really did … all over me, Molly, the and the back deck … and it seemed to take ages before the lock was ready for me to move out of the p*****g way!

Just as soon as we finally moored up there was a phone call from son Mark to say they were in the car park so the day ended with a visit from them and a fish supper - lovely!

Views from Rock ’n’ Roll this morning

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.