Saturday 9 July 2016

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Sorry I have had no internet connection for the last couple of days so have not been able to keep up with the blog but have finally found a connection!   Thank you all for continuing to follow us.


We had a long hard day today we left Ellesmere port at about 9 o'clock and made our way back along the weedy canal.  There was not a lot to see on the way down there but we are really glad that we made the effort to go.

The weather was also kind to us today we had a little bit of cloud but also a bit of sun.

When we got back to Chester we called in at the boat yard where we left the boat last week and picked up some more diesel.  We also spoke to the guy who ran the yard about the bleeping that we have when the engine is hot and we go into tick over and he recommended an oil change. Unfortunately he didn't have the time to do it for a couple of days so Steve decided he would have a go so we bought the oil and the filters.  After a couple of hours he emerged from the engine bay with a pinch on the finger, a bang on the head and a cut on the arm but he did it - well done Steve!

We got back on our way at about 3.30pm unfortunately this meant that we had missed the lock keeper's help at the Northgate staircase again, so armed with my windlass I emptied the bottom lock and filled the top two.  We started the journey up the staircase.  Once we were in the middle pound another boat arrived to come up, unfortunately they hadn't arrived 20 minutes earlier when we could have gone through together.  But we did have some onlookers today as the weather was good and there are usually a couple that are keen to get involved.  Overall it only saved us five minutes compared to the journey down the staircase but it was a bit less hard work having some young lads help open the gates!

We carried on through the next five locks.  The locks here are double locks and the water flowing into them is quite vicious which makes it slow going as we have to tie up front and back rather than just use the centre line.  

We decided to find a nice quiet spot today for tonight because we didn't want to be near a road so we found a lovely spot in the middle of the countryside and settled down for the night.

I took this photo last night - I could see that the sky was a lovely mix of pink and orange at about 9pm so stood out the back to take this picture and....

looked over to my right to see a ship coming along the Manchester Ship Canal - it would have been a shame not to have seen one - I'm also glad that we are not allowed on there - can you imagine that coming towards us!

First prop clear out!

That won't be the only time you spend in the engine bay today Steve!

Leaving Ellesmere Port looking out across the Mersey you can see Liverpool Airport.

Over the Deva Aqueduct.

I wonder if this is the same lot I saw on the way down - they seem to spend more of their time on the towpath than in the canal!

More evidence of people living on the side of the canal. 
One man and his butty!


Oil change complete and second prop clear out!

Arriving at the bottom of the Northgate Staircase - looks like the bottom lock needs emptying!
Out the top of the Northgate Staircase.

Leaving the City Wall of Chester behind.

and back along the cut.


We had supper in the Thai restaurant last week!

Town Heron - outside a busy supermarket with bikes riding past and he doesn't bat an eye! 

The last of eight locks today - phew!

Help!

No road, no railway and away from villages and towns so nobody walking or jogging past = peaceful night!

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