June 14th to 17th

The joys of summer boating!

Fri 14^th

Very wet and cold descent  through Hurleston locks to leave the Llangollen and re-join the Shropshire Union Canal and make our way through 5 heavy, double locks as far as the Shady Oak pub near Beeston Castle.

Sat 15^th 

Walked to Beeston Castle, a 13^th C ruin perched high on a rocky outcrop with panoramic views for 30 miles around. We finished off with a meal at the shady Oak to celebrate Roger’s birthday.

Fantastic views from Beeston Castle

Beeston Castle

Sun 16^th

We moved on a further 7 miles – a lock free stretch! We took advantage of the first sunny day for a while to do some washing, but discovered that having a rotary clothes line full of our smalls on the front of the boat did not aid steering! Moored at Christleton, very pleasant village on the outskirts of Chester.

Mon 17^th. 

Ornate hinges on a
Cathedral door

Caught a bus into Chester. Embarrassingly discovered that Roger’s bus pass had expired last March! Chester is a fascinating city dating from Roman times, with an extremely well preserved City Wall which we walked around. Also visited the 1000 year old Cathedral and took a bus tour in a vintage bus which started life in London in 1914.. 

Chester Cathedral

1914 London bus still at work