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Latest - The final part of the story is a summary of the holiday and I'm currently working on this (9 June) Should be published in a few days or so

Day fourteen of the trip now updated (updated 9th June)

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I started to increase content on the pages I've posted in a random way and now realise it has to be done more methodically. I'll now start adding more content to each page from the handwritten notes I made and will also add more photo's. I shall start on day one of the holiday and work through to the end. That sounds practical and logical. In the meantime, thanks to everyone for following the Blog

This makes a change from the canal

The Wanderer Returns

I am now back at my home address following this fantastic canal holiday. I will be updating the Blog with a lot more information and photo's. Also I will address the comments that are awaiting moderation. I have also reset the times of posts to GMT. (They were USA Eastern Pacific which accounted for some strange times appearing)

The Olympic Challenge

The Olympic Challenge

Did we meet the challenge? Read on

The Cheshire Cat looks on in admiration at the medals

Taking each element of the challenge it was fairly even. I (Malc) took no part in the Fishing but made up for it in Relaxing. As for Curry, Pies and Beer. It was too close to call. So we all did our bit in true team spirit. We feel we emerged as winners

As to the question of finding the missing Drink. We did our best but failed

It may well be that we shall have to try again

We had some excellent real ales and so our efforts were not in vain

Back at Base

Pic of 'Misty Dawn'' safely moored and unloading has commenced. Tried to post this yesterday without success. Gremlins in the phone I think.

Sadly there was no real ale available or I would have asked Dave and Trev to stand at the end of this pontoon with a pint in their hand and with the caption -

'This is probably................the best pier in the world'

A fitting finale to a great story

Back to Base

Early start and boat returned to the Marina. End of the holiday but not the end of the story. If you have left any comments I'm sorry they have not appeared. I cannot access them from the mobile blog app I'm using. When I return to my home next week I'll have full access to the blog and will edit and add more content from the written daily account I've kept. In the meantime, thank you for following the blog.

Coole Pilate (day 14)

Hack Green

Interesting bit of recent history here. There's a 'secret' bunker within easy walking distance. It's a well kept relic of the 'Cold War' days and it's open to the public

Take a look at their informative website.

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker

Hack Green locks

Coole Pilate

Moored here for the night at the excellent facility  provided by British Waterways. Several bench type picnic tables, each with a barbecue stand alongside. We would have tried a barbecue but for the fact It's raining heavily. A pleasant meal on board awaits then.

Note: I'm reminded that this facility was provided, and many more besides, by The Shropshire Union Canal Society with support from British Waterways. I'm happy to put the record straight and also acknowledge the wonderful works undertaken by SUCS and other similar organisations

here's a link to the excellent Shropshire Union Canal Society website

Sculpture (day 14)

Early start today. Heading toward Bunbury with a stop at Calveley, on the way, for water. Turned at the winding hole just before Bunbury lock then moored for breakfast at Calveley. Very relaxing start to the day

The view below is at Barbridge junction and the building you see is I believe the only remaining part of what was at one time a large transshipping area that straddled the canal. I'm going to do a bit more research on this if I can

A nice paint job methinks

The entrance to the Llangollen canal at Hurleston junction. I took the picture with my phone and just guessed how it fitted into the frame because the sun was shining and I couldn't see the screen

Never let it be said that we ignored the arts. This sculpture of a dog was carved from a tree and is one of several along the canal embankment at Nantwich. Wonder if Its bark was worse than its bite!

Nantwich appears proud of its Riverside community area, and why not. Those responsible have done a very good job

Nantwich is the kind of place that has kept it's heritage and managed to fit the old and new together in a way that gives its population and visitors all that they may need in a pleasant environment

This is a perfect place for boaters to stop for it has good and plentiful moorings and the town centre is just a short walk from the moorings

Nantwich Civic Hall

Classy building

Later in the afternoon we set off for the leisure area at Coole Pilate

By Canal to the 'Indian Ocean' (day 13)

A visit to the 'Black Lion' and a few pints of 'Cheshire Cat' prepared us for a meal at the 'Indian Ocean' Nantwich.

Real ale and a fine unspoilt pub and next door to an Indian restaurant. What more could you wish for

A fine place to eat - we agree it's the best in town and there are at least four others to choose from

so how's that for an endorsement

A Fishy Tale (day 13)

Still at Barbridge
Dave's caught a fish. Trev's caught a fish. Malc's caught a cold.

After the excitement of last night at the Alex a quiet day seemed a good idea and so we took the bus into Nantwich and had a wander around calling in at Harrisons for a spot of Lunch. Then a wander along the river walk (see previous post) before returning to the boat for a spot of fishing

What awaits? Already got that one covered it's an evening in Nantwich calling at the Black Lion for a couple of pints and then next door to the 'Indian Ocean' for the best food in Nantwich

This really is an ideal location with the excellent bus service. Had we realised a little earlier we could have travelled into Chester for the morning for the bus company offer an all day ticket at a fixed price and you can make as many journeys as you like - really good value that - cost of an all day ticket £4.80

en-route to Nantwich and the 'Black Lion' followed by a meal at the 'Indian Ocean'

Not sure why I've taken a photo inside a moving bus other that to perhaps advertise the fact that it's an excellent service with a bus to Nantwich or Chester every thirty minutes from the canalside at bridge No 101

A Quiet Corner (day 13)

We had a walk into Nantwich for some provisions and came across this memorial stone. A poignant reminder of a distant time.

I tried to find more information on this airman's grave and came across a local Nantwich website that tells the story in some detail. The link is below

More information about Lieutenant Arthur L Brown

click to enlarge

This is the walk by the River Weaver where the airman's grave
is immaculately maintained in a quiet area

Crewe Alex (day 12)

The previous post on the subject only scratches the surface. We had moored close to the main Nantwich Chester road and had a convenient bus stop less than two minutes walk from the boat. The buses are frequent, every half hour during the day. The bus took us to Nantwich and then onto Crewe where we planned to eat before the match. Prior to kick off a visit to the Bombay Indian restaurant was deemed appropriate. This place holds many happy memories from a long past misplaced youth.

A fitting start to an epic night. At the ground the atmosphere was electric. The big screen and crowd of about 400 in the lounge gave a real match feel to the occasion and we were pleased to have made the effort to see the game here.

It was nice to meet Andy, Wendy and Sean. As well as being dedicated Alex fans they are also following the blog. Nice people. After Crewe won it was clear the celebrations were going to last for some time. However, we had to think about returning to the boat whilst there was transport available. We had a taxi from Crewe station because the buses had finished their scheduled runs toward Chester. Taxi cost us £21 but we agreed it was money well spent

All in all a most enjoyable day and one that will remain in the memory for a long time

The question in our minds at this time is Will Crewe win at Wembley in the play-off final?

Crewe Alex (day 12)

Covered a lot of ground for a very good reason. Needed to get to the 'Alexandra Stadium' so that we could watch the 'Alex' in the second division promotions play off match. It was being shown on a big screen in the Executive Lounge. Crewe won and now go to Wembley for the final. Well worth the taxi fare to get back to the boat.

Aquaduct Marina (day 12)

Started the day at 05.30hrs. Top rope was frozen to the roof of the boat. We moved a couple of hundred yards to the water point unable to tie the boat because there was no flexibility in the frozen ropes. Nothing for it then other than to just hold the boat until the tank was replenished. Didn't take long and then we were on our way. Not really May weather. Long day but one with a purpose. More next post.

Just reached Middlewich. The Kinderton Arms looked a little forlorn as we passed. left us wondering if it will reopen at sometime. Hope so for it had a reputation for being a most welcoming place to spend an evening

The village of Church Minshull lies in the distance and in the valley before it runs the River Weaver as it gently meanders to its ultimate destination of the River Mersey. Strictly speaking it joins the Manchester Ship Canal first

We called into the Aqueduct Marina for a pump out (won't go into detail on that subject) First class service by the way.  Whilst there we took advantage of the excellent catering facilities in the 'Galley' All in all a fine and welcoming place to break your journey

Misty Dawn looking at home in this superb setting

This got me to thinking. If I had a boat this would be the place to moor. It's a perfect setting and it's got everything. It's so good I'd probably stay on the boat and never leave its confines

here's a link to the website of Aqueduct Marina

This was one of the few days when the sun did appear from time to time. No time to dwell on this because we had destination Barbridge on our minds

Just passed bridge No 2 and soon will be at the junction where we intend to moor for the night

Our mooring on the main line and close to the busy road between Nantwich and Chester

Cheshire Cheese (day 11)

Utopia

Called this place Utopia in the last post for a very good reason. Here's a pic of this canalside pub. Call In the night before you do Heartbreak Hill. It will be ideal preparation. Of course if you've just completed Heartbreak Hill then call in anyway - you deserve a rest. Note: Heartbreak Hill is the old boatman's term for the 26 locks that take you from Wheelock to Stoke on Trent.

Good atmosphere as soon as you walk in. Fine beer and a good choice of food

These photo's don't really do justice to the quantity of food we had

The landlord actually seemed to enjoy running the pub and he'd a nice line in humour

 

So there you have it

 

The latin name for Wheelock

is

Utopia

 

well it ought to be

Utopia. The Cheshire Cheese at Wheelock

Cheshire Cheese

What a great pub. Nice atmosphere as soon as you walk in. The food is amazing value and there's a lot of it. When the holiday is over and I begin to edit this Blog I will have more to say about this village. No pictures yet due to the link on my phone being a tad slow.

this brief video captures the end of the shower

We just moored and suddenly the heavens opened and down came the hailstones. I only caught the tail end of it as it didn't last for too long. The hailstones were massive and we certainly felt fortunate to have missed that particular shower

Proper Fish & Chips (day 11)

Wheelock

Just stopped at Wheelock. Smashing little village. Found a great traditional English Fish & Chip shop. Good food and value. It's just a few yards from the canal. The name, 'Liz's Plaice'

We called in at lunchtime for a feast. It was a pleasure to see a proper Fish & Chip shop. Big choice and even bigger value. Nice friendly staff as well.

Popped in briefly in the evening and met Liz. It's clear she's very proud of the awards she's won and the certificates on the wall indicate a quality business. We couldn't believe how good this place was, or should that be plaice?

See what the local newspaper had to say

An interesting information sign. Carefully thought out and well placed

View of the wharf from the main Crewe to Sandbach road

Thurlwood (day 11)

Thurlwood

Site of the now vanished steel lock at Thurlwood. More at a later date.

Lock No 53 at Thurlwood on the left. Whilst on the right is the now vanished steel lock that was built to combat the effects of subsidence. It seems it was not successful and there is no longer any visible trace of it. Just a piece of waste ground

Photo's of the steel lock were taken in 1971 when Dave and his wife Brenda were with me and my soon to be wife Kay as we travelled the Four Counties Ring in a small fibreglass hire boat

Those really were the days

An impressive and probably very expensive structure. Wonder what it cost?

'Britains got Summer'

It's 05.30hrs and hammering it down also very windy. Welcome to summer!!! You got to laugh

We'll be on our way after a cuppa.Heating is on and we are very comfortable.

Harecastle Tunnel (day 10)

Etruria

Moored here close the the site of the former Festival Park and went in search of provisions and something to eat.  Came across a Morrisons store where we ate well and shopped a bit and then back to the boat and prepare to go through Harecastle Tunnel

This short arm just past the Festival Park Marina was once a hive of industrial activity. For it is around this area that the mighty Shelton Bar Steelworks complex was spread. I recall passing this point in 1971 when a large canopy that was a part of the complex covered a part, or maybe all, of the canal

Travelling along toward Harecastle tunnel the area looks quite rural and yet the reality is it's mostly urban beyond the canal banks. The various bodies responsible for the area have done a decent job, I think they have anyway

The old and the new or perhaps history and progress in these two photo's. I don't know anything of the history involving the now derelict building but suspect many years ago it would have been turning out goods on narrow boats made from materials that were delivered by narrow boats

The vast Westport lake gives a nice feel to this section and many boaters choose to moor here either before or after they pass or have passed through the tunnel for it is not too far from this point

Waiting for the tunnel keeper to give us safety instructions and clearance to enter the tunnel.

About to come into daylight as we approached the north portal. Dave steered the boat though in a very respectable thirty-three minutes. We were the lead boat

Nice looking pub as we entered Kidsgrove but not for us this night for our intended mooring location was just past the British Waterways wharf between locks 44 & 45

We had a relaxing evening with Dave and Trev doing a spot of fishing between the rain showers