On the move at last

We were going to start heading towards Chester yesterday, but the weather was so awful that we decided to postpone until today.

We made rather a late start and it was lunchtime before we had finished dumping our rubbish and taking on water at the services but then it was off down the cut, which of course was when it started raining. Luckily it didn't last long and we were soon cruising in alternating shade and sunshine on towards Barbridge. It was a bit unusual for me to be cruising somewhere that I know better by car, but until we got to Bunbury we were in what was my area while I was working on the census.

The Shropshire Union is uninspiring between Barbridge and Calverley as it keeps close company with the A51, if I wanted HGVs for company I would use the car! After Calverley you escape the road but are soon joined by the railway, but at least there aren't too many trains.

The canal banks are a herbalist's delight with a great variety of plants growing wild, they could also be a poisoner's delight as I spotted foxgloves and belladonna!!

After an uneventful journey we moored above Beeston Stone Lock for the night. Nimue and Gwyn decided to go visiting other boats as usual but unfortunately decided to jump on one which had only stopped to pick up their crew after coming up through the lock. They both had a slight panic when they realised the boat was moving off, as did the lady on board. Nimue managed to jump ashore but Gwyn jumped and missed so ended up a soggy moggy!!

This evening the cats are spending their time stalking ducks and hunting, Gwyn managed to catch a young rabbit, it appear unharmed and there wasn't enough meat on it so we made her let it go. If she can catch a full size one it will be rabbit stew for dinner

We plan to visit Beeston Market tomorrow before we move on so probably won't get very far.

Today's journey was 8.4 miles and 3 locks


This year we have travelled 67.2 miles, 68 locks and 13 lift bridges.


Since Ray retired we have travelled 805.6 miles, 710 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.