NB Centurion Trips 2005

Carrying on with retrospective posts, we reach 2005. Following many complaints about our Warwick base NB Centurion was moved to Anderton early in 2005, using Alvechurch Boat Centre facilities. The facilities and services where much better and we had our own mooring pontoon.
Our first trip out from Anderton was in Febuary, just myself and dad.
We set out on the Trent and Mersey then Bridgewater Canal towards Manchester, past the lift, through Barnton and Preston Brook tunnels destination Lymm. We had terrible weather that week and spent a few days moored up sheltering from the rain.

Anderton Lift.

Gloomy Bridgewater Canal near Walton Hall.

Dutton Stop Lock.

Head of the queue at Preston Brook Tunnel.

Stop plank crane near Daresbury.

Gloomy mmoring at Acton Bridge.

We made it to Lymm in pouring rain, lovely place, but took no photo's. Then had a wet return trip to Anderton. One of the trials of an out and back journey in a week. The boat was always cosy and warm, so no problems.

Our next trip out was later in the year, in much warmer weather. We left Anderton, through Marbury Park, through the Brunner Mond brine works towards Middlewich. At Middlewich we took the Wardle branch, leading into the Shropshire Union Canal Middlewich Branch, then right at Barbridge Junction, down the Shropshire Union to Chester and then to Ellesmere Port Boat museum.
A few pictures of the trip follow.

Passing Marbury Country Park.

Brunner Mond Works.

Gill taking the turn at Middlewich Locks.

Centurion at Middlewich.

Near Church Minshull.

Bunbury Staircase Locks.

Peacock at Chemistry Lock, Chester.

We well remember the long drag at tickover past all the moored boats at Golden Nook, Hargrave, well over a hundred at the time.

Tower Wharf, Chester

Centurion at Ellesmere Port.

We spent over a day at the boat museum, met Gills mum and dad for the trip round the museum, had a good look around, saw much shipping on the Manchester Ship Canal and also took in a trip to Port Sunlight village. We then headed back to Anderton.

Coastal Tanker on Manchester Ship Canal.

Northgate Cutting, Chester.

Whilst at Chester I spotted some of the Marshall's Buses I helped to design,
a low Floor Dennis Dart on the left and a Mercedes Sprinter on the right.

Golden Nook Moorings, Hargrave.

Near Beeston Castle.

Cholmondesdon Lock.

Weaver Locks viewed from near Barnton Tunnel.

We had time to spare so carried on to moor after Barnton Tunnel before returning to Anderton.

Good time with good weather.

Next 2005 retrospective post will be on the Shroppie.