June 26th

On Tuesday 18th we boated through Chester, passing directly under the City walls and then dropping down through the daunting staircase locks (cut through solid rock) which drop the level of the canal by 33 feet in just 3 locks!

Roger dwarfed by the huge Chester locks

Chester City Wall

Over the next couple of days we made our way to Ellesmere Port, the end of the Shropshire Union canal, and home to the National Waterways Museum.
www.nwm.org.uk

We moored in their basin (thus becoming one of the museum's exhibits!) for the next 5 nights.

National Waterways Museum

Vincent Joseph just visible among the relics!

On Friday 21st we travelled to Leeds for the grand opening of the 'Crowd of Favours' http://www.crowdoffavours.co.uk/

Leeds Brewery's latest pub which is managed by Robert Young, no less! (Jean's son)

Robert's opening night.

Quotation which inspired
the pub's name

Museum exhibit - 'legging' through a tunnel

On Monday 24th June we left Ellesmere Port, having spent many enjoyable hours exploring the museum.

 Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the waterways!

Over the next couple of days we made our way back to Chester (ever more slowly until Roger plunged into the weed-hatch again to remove another mass of vegetation, plastic bags, and nylon rope!) 

We made an unscheduled stop to rescue a Jack Russell, struggling to climb out of the canal while her owner marched happily on, unaware of his dogs narrow escape!

Wednesday 26th and we have arrived at Taylor's Boat Yard, Chester where we are having our seats welded on to the stern deck.