Chester again: Day 3

Some unforecast rain early this morning, but generally it’s been a bit brighter than yesterday.  With an unambiguous target, we weren’t quick to get going, setting off about 9.30.  On the other side of the canal from the marina is a big farm machinery place, with some amazing-looking equipment for sale.

After Bridge 114 the Golden Nook moorings begin — an interminable line of boats on the offside.  Last time I counted the boats as we went one way, and timed the passage the other, but this time I couldn’t be bothered to do either.  It’s more than half an hour, I know that much.

There’s a huge amount of floating pennywort in the canal, sometimes appearing to stretch right across.  This morning we passed a cutter boat, which I hope was on the way to collect some of it.

We were aiming for Christleton, and the moorings were much less busy than when we were last here at the start of August.  We moored in pretty much the same spot as before.  This afternoon, we’ve been for a circular walk round the village, which seems quite familiar these days.

5 miles, 0 locks.  (20 miles, 6 locks)

Chester draws us: Day 5

A nice sunny day, although. Bit chilly to start.  We walked down to Sainsbury’s again, mostly to get a copy of The Times, because it contained the print version of a review of my podcast.  It’s always nice to see pieces in the flesh.

Going there meant we also got a fair number of steps in.  We were meeting my sister and family for lunch in Christleton, so walked up to the village and found our table at the Ring O’ Bells.  My brother-in-law’s mother is in a care home across the road, so they’d been to see her first.  We had a really nice lunch — definitely recommended — then had a little walk round the village.  There’s a green with a pump, and a bit further along there is a pond called the Pit, with almshouses overlooking it.

We wandered back to the boat and had tea.  The family had brought with them a couple of parcels I’d had delivered to their house, including a much needed new pair of boots.

0 miles, 0 locks.  (14 miles, 6 locks)

Chester draws us: Day 4

As we arrived here yesterday rather than today, and we don’t really want to be in the centre of Chester on a Friday or Saturday night, we had a non-moving day.  It was showery first thing and the temperature is nothing like August.  We needed a top up shop, so walked along the canal to Greenfield Lock, then onto the main road and down to Sainsbury’s.  It’s a fair walk, so we had to bear in mind that we had to carry everything a mile back again.

I spent the rest of the morning working on an article, and this afternoon Adrian has had more interviews to conduct.  When they were over we walked into Christleton village, which is rather pretty.

The latest episode of my podcast, The Water Road, is out today, and it’s pleasing to see that each episode takes off quicker than the previous one.  This one is about Beeston (the Nottinghamshire one, not the Cheshire one).  Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and loads of smaller platforms including Pocket Casts.

0 miles, 0 locks.  (14 miles, 6 locks)

Chester draws us: Day 3

There had been some more rain in the night, but by the time we got up it was merely grey and a bit breezy.  Over breakfast, I was surprised by how many listens to the podcast I’d had already had for the day, and it turned out there was a review in the online version of The Times.  I knew it was coming because they’d asked for a photo, but I didn’t know when.  This is just the headline and the conclusion — I’ll definitely take four stars!

We got a wash load going, then set off about 9.15.  Much of the next stretch was just a meander across the Cheshire plain.

At Golden Nook, there’s a long line of moored boats on the offside.  And I mean a long line.  I counted them, and there were 111.  And that takes a long time to go past at (just above) tickover.

We made a brief stop at Egg Bridge.  I walked up to the shop and found it sadly lacking, and then it turned out the mooring we were on was reserved for work boats.  So we carried on, and ended up at tomorrow’s planned destination of Christleton.  We moored just off the end of the official moorings.  We needed a decent signal, as Adrian is conducting interviews this afternoon and tomorrow in connection with the charity he volunteers for.  His signal was a bit flakey, but mine was fine.  Between interviews we went for a quick walk round the village.

7 miles, 0 locks.  (14 miles, 6 locks)