Chester to Wrenbury Cruise - March 2015

After a quiet first night in Tower Wharf we moved over to the water point next to the dry dock, not a quick fill, then one of the  moorings on that side became vacant so we grabbed it quickly. I had a walk down the Dee Branch, never having looked when we last passed through. It all looks neat and tidy, however the lower lock to the river is out of use.

Dee Branch Lift Bridge.

Dee Branch lower locks.

Dee Branch-Disused River Lock.

Tower Wharf - Unusual Style Boat.

We then spent the day in Chester, a walk around the city walls, a look at the cathedral, followed by lunch then retail therapy for the girls.

Tower Wharf from the City Walls.

Shropshire Union canal from the City Walls.

We then had another quiet night before setting of back to Wrenbury, the weather was much improved on the return journey, we had all the locks against us as we climbed out of Chester, making progress slower, we reached Christleton and pulled over for a spot of lunch around 1 pm then carried on past Egg Bridge, Waverton, and past the Golden Nook Moorings.

Last lock out of Chester.

Horse to water near Christleton.

Lovely day for cruising.

Golden Nook Moorings.

We called it a day and moored shortly after near Tattenhall Marina.

On the Thursday, after a latish start on a grey day we finished off the rest of the Shropshire Union wide locks, no other boats on the move again today although we suspected something in front as again all the locks where against us. We again had a few paddles out of action, and Bunbury lock seems to have many leaks from the gates and also a fair bit of water drains out of the lock walls. Would not be surprised to see some major work required there sometime soon.

We ended up back at the Barbridge Inn moorings, useful for wi fi from the pub, seemed rude not to pop in for a pint and the password for wi fi.

Waiting for Wharton Lock.

Near Beeston.

Tilstone Lock with one of the round lengths mans huts.

Leaking gates and walls at Bunbury Staircase Locks.

Barbridge moorings.

On the Friday we woke to sunny weather, not too cold either. Last of the boaty fry ups today which is always a shame, back to cereal next week. We took the short trip to Hurleston junction then turned back on to the Llangollen Canal, lock duty for me now, Gill and Toni taking turns on the tiller now we are free of the wider locks which they refuse to control the boat in.

Gill entering Hurleston Bottom Lock.

After Hurleston it was on to Swanley locks.

Entering Swanley Locks

Toni's turn at the Tiller.

Swanley Top Lock.

Home straight to Wrenbury.

Then it was on to Baddiley locks and the home straight to Wrenbury and the end of another good week on the boat, mixed weather, but we all enjoyed it.