Mike Stevens' UK Inland Waterways Pages

TRIP REPORTS : THE YEARS BETWEEN BOATS

THE FOUR COUNTIES RING ETC.

August 1983

Part 4 : Tyrley to Chester

All four pictures are in Tyrley locks

We started at 07:42 and had a lovely run down Tyrley locks with Ian steering because nobody else felt sufficiently intelligent. This was our first encounter with these beautifully-kept locks between picturesque rock cuttings. By Market Drayton we moored at bridge 62 and walked into the town to find a launderette (Wendy) & excellent shopping (the rest). The afternoon brought more well-kept narrow locks.

Morning checks
	Adderley locks

At the flight of 5 at Adderley there were pretty flower-beds and a lock-keeper very much in evidence keeping everything ship-shape. The Audlem flight was very busy. We moored at 19:05 near Nantwich aqueduct and ate dinner outside again - so much pleasanter when conditions permitted, since on this boat putting up the table inside required the front doors to be shut.

	All five pictures are in Audlem locks

Joddrell Bank

Barbridge junction

Hurleston junction

At 06:54 we made a wet start. At Nantwich basin we watered before passing onto the Chester Canal section, where we were back into broad lock territory - big, heavy & slow-filling. We stopped opposite the Barbridge Inn for breakfast on board, as it was still raining, but the weather cleared up about an hour later.

		Beeston Castle
Bunbury staircase locks

Christleton

In the afternoon we met a trip-boat pulled by a grey Shire called Snowy. We let them go ahead as they were working. Peter cooked home-made biscuits, quiche, pie etc as well as producing all three meals. We moored for the night at 18:20 in Chester, just by Dee junction and walked down the Dee Branch. Tower Wharf is interesting.

All six pictures are in Chester