Still hot.

 We crept off the next morning, we had an appointment at Swanley Marina at 9am.  We were a few minutes late due to the number of moored boats along the way, under trees, I couldn't blame them either.

When we got to Swanley the man was waiting there, as events had panned out he had been awake that morning at 5am but had delayed his journey to Hastings (On the south coast ) to see us.  Madness really as my David was awake, up and off before 5am and we could easily have met him then.

Anyway more of that later.  We were in full sun there for a couple of hours and I was already flaking....

We set off again primarily in the search for shade from the afternoon sun, with good 4G as the tennis was on that afternoon. 

A couple of locks to do, which was fine, I walked on to the second and talking to the young male crew member, I asked him where they had been moored previously, Oh out in the countryside above Wrenbury.

Were there horseflies' by any chance?

Yes, dreadful he replied, we've been bitten all over!!

Now Adam had said they had found horseflies' too, so thank you Adam for the heads up.

As we went along we were checking our phones for signal...

Lisa I've got it here!

Moored up, under trees and the boat was fairly cool.

Nothing much more happened that day.  There was lounging, map studying, the boiling of eggs and I managed to do a bit more unpacking of clothing.  I never do all that in one go.

But it was here later that afternoon that I gave up on my Online Book Group book choice.  A prize winner but absolutely not for me, I carried on until page 60 but that was enough.  

I doubt I could give it away to any of my friends.

Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup..... let me know if you'd like this near pristine copy.

Supper was beef salad.

The sun did come around the trees between 4pm and 5pm and golly it was still hot then.  We slept with the waterside hatch doors open and the back sliding hatch and only under a sheet.

Phew.

This was the mooring under trees.

 

 

Mum it's ain't half hot here....

Well well how are you Reader?  We are very well thank you and back on WaL raring to go.

Before we came away I was visiting my mother (Don't tell her I told you but she will be 95 next month) anyway when I got back I was informed by David that he had booked a couple of nights in my favourite place, that is to say the Buxton hotel.  

But I have to tell you that this month is David's significant birthday so I called this his treat not solely mine.

This is the first time we have visited in the summer and oh boy did we pick a lovely day to go walking.

That line above David's head is the main road to Great Haywood.

We were going towards Solomon's Tower, a folly. 

Walking away from it back to Buxton.

The view from the tower of Buxton.

A day later and we drove away in mist and cloud.

So we arrived back at Tattenhall Marina where WaL was staying in our absence.  Loaded up, watered up and off we jolly well popped about an hour away back to the Shady pub and nice moorings.  One side of the bridge there is open and sunny with almost zero 4G and the otherside of the bridge with tall trees has good enough 4G, so how does that work?

Leaving Tattenhall Marina.

It will be an early harvest, just look behind that pink boat...  

Sloes formed already and since I took this I have seen purple ones already although you should not pick them until after the first frosts.  Frosts... I wonder if we'll even get one?

Our mooring that evening, yes taken from the pub.... hic.

 The next morning we set off early to get through the four or five is it locks, I walked along to the first lock around the corner to be greeted with the sight of a couple putting their shoes and the tiller in place.

Marvellous.

Would you like to share the locks?

Oh yes they both replied delightedly.

So grand it was.  We did the Iron Lock separately as that particular lock is distorted so only single boats can use it.  Then joined up again for the last ones.  Charming couple, Tracy and Mike, only had their share of the boat for three years but by golly he was a good helm.  Turned out he was an ex-RAF pilot so he was good at manoeuvring.

Tracy and boats in the lea of Beeston castle.  She didn't keep that jumper on long, it was boiling before 8am.

No not the Amazon but the tow path here, I'm convinced that the huge insect bites on my legs came from here. 

David waiting below for the lock.

 Well we did Bunbury locks together.  Having talked to a CART employee early that morning and him telling us that the water levels here are "okay" but it should be saved as much as possible...

When we got to the double staircase there was a boat coming out, so the locks, so it was set for us to come in the bottom lock.  I walked up to see the situation and there was a single boat on the landing.  I said that we were coming up, we could do three but not four boats, 

that's aright I'm coming in.

Well if you don't mind waiting just ten minutes or so then that boat approaching behind you can come in too...

No I'm coming in!

So Reader this would mean that the approaching boat would have to repeat the lock sequence on his own thus using unnecessary water.

I was staggered and bent David's ear about it for the rest of the day.

We said goodbye to the Mike and Tracy here, we are going to Hurleston Junction and they back to their marina, Overwater, just along the way.

By now it was boiling, sizzling hot.  All talk was of finding shade.  We passed a good spot but by the time I'd said it and David had said "Wot 'ere?" it was too late and the moment lost.  Just like when a man is driving and the woman says can you pull into the next ladies loo, it's Oh I forgot, oh I didn't see it, oh you should have said earlier...  Every woman has had this.

Anyway although I wasn't crazy about doing the locks up onto the Llangollen Canal in this heat, as we approached them I waved to the volunteer at the bottom lock and he prepped it for us so straight in.  As I turned to move up to the next lock all the attendant lockkies had already done the same so each lock had the gates open.  It was marvellous.

I thanked them profusely of course.

We went along to look for shade and found some, just behind NB Briar Rose, with Adam and Adrian onboard.  We had dwinks later on WaL, Reader you may remember that we finally met them both for the first time last year despite all our friends already having met them.  So nice to catch-up again.  I'm just sorry I didn't take a photo.

Supper was breaded fish and peas.  Good to get a bit more space in the fridge.   

Oh my goodness, I do love Chester.

So sorry Reader,  I know it's been a while to keep you in suspenders, but we've been having fun.  We are home now and have been for a week or so. 

So I suggest you make a cup of tea to get you through this post.   

The weather has been hot here at home, bleedin' hot, we've had the most wonderful days on the beach with all the grandchildren who evacuated from London where it was hotter still.

After a good couple of hours on the beach we fled, the adults were beginning to burn so definitely time to take the children home.  After lunch and naps (Adults and children I might add) David suggested the hose.  so here he is in the process of getting a good soaking.

So where was I?  Oh yes, moored up at The Shady, I would have put money on it being called The Shady Oak but no.  During the unplanned lunch, there were two ladies sitting next to us, with the many boats moored up outside, one lady was regaling the other with a tale of when she went on a family boating holiday which ended in disaster, the toilet exploded, (her words), she was ill with flu and had too much medicinal whiskey, got a terrible headache and took to her bed, the rain didn't stop and finally she demanded at 4am to be taken home.  By that part of the story David and I were in fits of giggles.  She confessed that she was now divorced but I felt it rude to ask if the two events were connected!

But I digress.  

Just before we arrived at the pub and the nice moorings, the hire boat lady had said something like roll on tomorrow because we are having a day shopping in Chester, well I knew that Chester was at least 3/4 of a day away, oh no we are getting an Uber into Chester.

Well that seemed like an excellent idea, we had planned to take WaL right into the centre but a day in and a day out wouldn't leave much time for enjoying the city.  Even David agreed and so the next mooring off he went to retrieve the car from god knows where and bring it here.

I was ready and waiting and off we went with Google taking us to a car park.  First mistake of the day,  Google took us to a 

cul-du-sac right next to the canal in what can only be called a seedy part of town.  We weren't alone either as there were other cars with bewildered looking drivers, scratching their heads and turning around.

We did eventually find another car park but it was touch and go that we found the car at the end of the day.

Well I have to say that during the next three days we had a great time, we had a Guided Tour of the Roman remains of the city and learnt a lot about the everyday life of a Roman soldier.  We walked the city walls, visited the Cheese Shop now at home we are enjoying the purchases  (they do online shopping too)

HERE 

We went to the Cathedral and had a guided tour, More Roman history to be had there, went to The Races well actually we went for lunch to The Architect which overlooks the Racecourse, it happened that the Races were on that day.  

Race goers were in the comfortable grounds, when the bell went announcing the next race they flocked to the gate, crossed over the road then leaning on the wall watched the race, David and I even felt the thunder of hooves as they passed by unseen.  It was a bit like Royal Ascot seeing the ladies in their finery but oh what silly billies in high heels for an afternoon of sprinting to watch then back to sit down again.  

I'm no fool Reader, I had trainers on for days of sightseeing.

Oh I nearly forgot, we did the tourist double decker bus tour but as we have already been on it, we by passed the river boat trip, but I would recommend if you are planning a trip, if you haven't ever been I would wholeheartedly recommend a stay in Chester.

Last but absolutely not least we had Afternoon tea at The Grosvenor Hotel.  Oh the joy of that.

On one morning we didn't go into town but decided to have a walk here at Taporley to walk all around Beeston castle which is built on a sandstone ridge, sounds easy doesn't it.

We even took a map.

So down the canal to the first bridge, turn left, though a field, here the first sign of trouble when the path disappeared.  We fought our way through, battling wildlife, and angry lamb, brambles and LOCKED gates on the footpath and knee high grass.  Marvellous. 

Who's that trip trapping over my bridge?

Eagle eyed among you will see that we are now making our way around the castle, all good.

I would not have believed that there are still crossings over high speed railways lines in the 21st century but here there is one.  I peeped around the high undergrowth and ....

Holy Crap, this was approaching but it was silent until it was right on top of us.  Got the heart beating nicely I can tell you.

See the gate?  This was the undergrowth the otherside of the crossing.

The rest of sandstone ridge. 

Around the far side now.

Unmarked path went right though the middle of these cows.  Before you ask our cows were better than these.

Not many of these around.  For the benefit of my Reader in Vietnam, this postbox was from the reign of Queen Victoria, so from between 1837 and 1901.

Prettiest cottage of the day and an old one too in Beeston.

So that pretty much wraps up our time in Cheshire, it's been a ball (Apart from almost being flattened by the bloody train).  I love Chester and if it was near to my family I'd move there in a heartbeat.  

Here below are a few snaps of the best bits.  We will be back on WaL in a few more weeks but for now I'll just say Au Revoir.

These two snaps are two halves of the same building, see the dates of both.... 

Restoration date.

The lovely lovely Architect, overlooking the Racecourse.

David up on the very walkable city walls

Great fun on one of these.  Wherever we travel we always go on one of these.  

A more modern addition onto this building.

Famous Clock as part of the City Walk, see the people right underneath?

Stunningly beautiful sculpture in the Cloister Garden, called The Circle of Life.

Fabulous getting lost around here.

The owner of the Cheese Shop recommended this place with it's uninterrupted views over the Cheshire Gap was it or Plain.  Anyway dinner was good. 

In the basement of Costa I think it was were real life Roman columns, so just 2,000 years of history. Cute Guide too.

Real life column base and an artists interpretation of how they would have looked.  

Fancy Racegoers waiting for the bell.

Afternoon Tea part 2.  I ate everything Reader.

So that's us for now,

TTFN.

Jungles of Borneo

I walked on the next day for the rest of the canal.  Quite a few branches hanging over and the ground was slippery from the rain but I carried on and it got very much worse.

This was last nights mooring, the evening suns golden rays on the grasses here caught my eye but they were very much more golden than here.

Lovely mooring.

Here he comes at Barbridge Junction.

Bit tight but he didn't hit.

Second burnt out hull of the day.

I was way out in front of David but the towpath got narrower and worse.  I slowed down and David fielding a phone call from home, WaL went past me and David oblivious, carried on.

So below is a snippet of the condition of the path here, the canal edge is hidden, the path sloping down to the water, the bushes overhead were roses with associated thorns and my feet were wet.  I called David , engaged, I called again and again, finally he rang off and I got through to him, he was out of sight

"For God's sake STOP" said I gently and lovingly.  

I had everso nearly slipped into the canal a couple of times and by now was having a serious sense of humour failure.

Unlike me I can hear you saying.

I would advise others not to follow in my footsteps.

As I dropped off rubbish at Calveley a hire boat passed us, the chap called over would we like to pair up a the locks?
Oh definitely.

Sadly when we got to the lock a share boat was on the lock landing waiting for another boat.  We were left behind and off went the pair together.

Bunbury staircase locks, and the two disappearing boats.

This is a very attractive stretch of canal for several miles.

Well despite me being alone, we caught them up very quickly even though a boat had passed them so they had the advantage.  Part of the slowness could have been connected to the paddles not being fully opened when they were emptying the lock with the boats in it....

When I got to the next lock, a paddle was still up, the following lock a gate was open.

Well not many judgements from me until at the next lock, there was a bit of a bun fight between the hire boat and a boat owner ascending.

"We know what we are doing you know!  Just because it's a hire boat we do know what we are doing"

I managed to keep my counsel, David says that doesn't happen often.

This is where we ended up, moored up at The Shady in the shadow of Beeston Castle.

We walked over the bridge and had a drink in the pub.  We accidentally ordered supper, Peri Peri chicken and salad, I gave David my chips.

I like it here.

Short wet steps

 Yes first thing this morning we left.  As we were untying a boat arrived, I thought I was being helpful when I said there's a nasty ridge here we couldn't get in close, but down the other end the boats did get in close.

Oh we know, haven't you heard of the Shroppie Shelf?  We've got large fenders and we alway moor at this end.

Well that told me.

I walked and David boated for about 90 minutes, the sky clouded over and as we approached a bridge I got David to pass my new coat, just as well as when I did the first lock the heavens opened, David suggested we go onto our preferred mooring which was another hour or so onwards...

The rain turned harder and I managed to change David's mind of mooring up right now simply by looking at him.

So we stopped there.

The afternoon was spent watching the tennis from Paris

Supper was a chicken mushroom and courgette dish.

The new coat worn in anger.

The next day was a bit of a rinse and repeat, we did move onto the preferred mooring just a short distance before  the predicted rain.  

We watched the men's French final which went on hours.  I finished my book by John Le Carre, the first book he wrote about George Smiley.

Supper was the leftovers from last night dish.