Four Counties Ring & Chester 

by Chris Hunter 

Friday May 25 May: Chris & Janet Hunter with Val and James (9). Boat looks good with no vibration (apart from the knocking at 1600 rpm and in reverse). The Kirvans/Wiltshires had problems with an overheating aerial plug in the forward location - it has been repaired but we are asked to monitor. Only criticism is the quality of the valet which was barely acceptable - we will mention it to Heritage when we return. Set off about 3pm, moored at Church lock on the T & M.

Saturday: Lots of locks - to wear James out! Moored just through Middlewich on the SU.

Sunday: Heavy showers most of the day. We were locked through Cholmonderston Lock by the SU Canal society - interesting people to talk to. Then onto the heavy broad locks towards Chester, mooring past Beeston.

Monday: Nice lunch at the Cheshire Cat at Rowton Bridge - good selection of beers and a variety of well cooked items on the menu. Locked down into Chester and moored just beyond Cow Lane Bridge under the city walls. Opposite is an old folks home - hopefully not too many late night raves. Mooring feels safe. Walked along city walls and looked down at the Northgate staircase locks - until torrential rain drove us back to the boat.

Tuesday: Spent the day in Chester - an interesting city centre. There's a useful big Tescos and a nearby M & S near Cow Lane bridge. We do NOT recommend the bar/bistro on the river waterfront. It was overpriced and confused our order. Dropped Val and James off at Chester station for their journey back to Heritage to pick up their car. Heritage will provide taxi phone numbers to get back to the marina from Kidsgrove station. The marina car park is locked after 5pm but it uses a padlock unlocked with a standard BW key. Left the city in a sunny evening. At Tarvin lock there is a peacock living on a smallholding. It walked across the lock gate to be fed bread with the ducks.

Wednesday: Tried to have lunch at the Shady Oak at Bates Mill but found it all shut up - then read the log to find the Kirvans & Wiltshires had a similar problem 2 weeks ago. Moored at Hurleston Junction

Thursday: Shopped in the morning in Nantwich (very good pies from the butcher in Pepper St) and lunch in the town. Worked lunch off with the Audlem and Adderley flights (but stopped for water ant a pint at the Shroppie Fly). Moored at the top of Adderley.

Friday 1 June: Lunch at the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Wharf sitting in the garden beside the canal. Standard pub food but well cooked, a variety of ales. Refilled with diesel and a new gas cylinder at Norbury Junction, now the home of 8 Ownerships boats. Staff were very helpful. Bought a new aluminium windlass to replace the one we generously donated to some rural lock. Moored in the quiet 48hr moorings just short of Gnosall.

Saturday: A short queue at Wheaton Aston lock - 22 boats from the Wolverhampton Boast Club who had been on a week's trip to Beeston. Lunch at the Bridge Inn in Brewood - well cooked pub grub with a choice of real ales and cider. Moored just past Hatherton Junction. Had a BBQ on the towpath and managed to knock a fork into the canal. Felt very pleased with myself retrieving it with the magnet.

Sunday: Arrived at Tixall Wide at about 5pm and found the last free mooring in the middle of the Wide. A beautiful position with resident swans and two cygnets doing the rounds of the boats begging for bread.

Monday: Spent the day at Tixall. Lunch in the Loch house tea rooms at Great Haywood with good home cooked food. Then went to Shrugborough Hall and Estate (Nicholsons says it is closed on Mondays but it is not!). There is plenty to see - could spend most of the day there.. another towpath BBQ in the evening.

Tuesday: Sunny day cruising up the Trent valley. Shopped in Stone, then moored by Wedgwood

Wednesday: Spent far too much at Wedgwood Visitors Centre but nice lunch there. Then set off on through Stoke mooring at Middleport Lake.

Thursday: 1 hr wait at Harecastle then back to Heritage by 12.30. Discussed quality of valet with marina - The say they have no other complaints but the lady running the valets has two teenage girls working with her now - they will monitor. We have had no problems the TV. Back home by 5.30 - we are both at work tomorrow ;-(

EOH report:

Diesel top up

Pump out both loos

Valet booked and paid for

Tyrley locks
Greenseaves cutting
On the Shroppie
Tixall Wide
TIxall Wide at dusk
On the Trent & Mersey