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Good to know, I’m heading through there in June. I think the CRT man those locks between 9am and 3pm?

First lock I arrived at after hiring from Anderton last year was Big Lock. Raining a lot so was single handing whilst kids sat looking out the windows. Took me a good while before I cottoned on to one of the rear paddles being a fraction of an inch open by the boat that vacated as we arrived. Was waiting and waiting for an age to get out ….with so much distance between things hard to notice everything especially at the back of the lock. Always carefully check previous occupants have indeed lowered the paddles to the max everytime now.

Easily a dozen in each of the basins, upper and lower. Lots dotted around, hard to estimate, maybe another dozen. The fuel boat Halsall kept very busy. Car parks full, loads of visitors. Very pleasant atmosphere, everyone friendly and enjoying the sunshine.

What an absolutely sublime day today in Ellesmere Port. Weather perfect.

Will do yes! Going Saturday I think.

Yes I’m looking forward to that!

This is truly heroic!

That was a fascinating read, beautifully evocative of a vanished world, you had me transported to a time and place I’ve never been.

I’ve become slightly fixated. The evening I passed by the turning for the Llangollen on my way south it was truly sublime. About 8pm on a beautiful late June evening. Church bells were ringing in the distance as we drew round the reservoir. The Hurleston locks looked so picturesque I’ve not been able to loose the image and the pang of regret for not heading that way. What is it about canal junctions? I’d love the freedom to change plans on the spur of the moment. One day.😊

Yeah, well if it was just me I’d swing left for the jolly. However, I’m not alone and considering a significant other I could end up with Mutiny on the Bounty. Yes I hear about the miles of boats tethered along that stretch…2mph….

No because now I can say I’ve done the Hurleston flight….😜 This has been an interesting process. At the outset I was casually thinking go south to Audlem and beyond…but going north is better…in this instance.

I’ve still got a family ticket valid for a return to the museum from last summer. It’s a clincher!🙃

Money..time. Etc. wife’s job…in Sweden…other commitments…when we can fly… think we’re going to Chester anyway from Wrenbury and that’s not pushing it. Agreed though, down to me I’d take stacks of time…desperately wanting my own boat!

Thanks Alec, June 24 is longest day of the year…give or take….won’t be dark until after 10! Suits us. My eldest son very capable as well. Now we are spoilt for choice!

Three into two with sideways movement… ? I just watched Silver Foxes demonstrate with a hire boat alongside. 😬

Thanks all for the input and suggestions. I’ve slid my booking over to Wrenbury now instead so I have an option to stay on the Llangollen but I’m now more persuaded to go to Chester and turn around at the boat museum. Canal plan has that down at a sedate 3 days and a couple of hours….the south end of the aqueduct remains possible should I choose to go the other way…🙂

Yes, I could actually just hire from Whitchurch instead? Or Wrenbury…would you recommend it? I’ll ask the kids…only have the provisional booking just now. actually if I show up early Monday they’ll let me out a bit earlier…they’re quite nice. We did six hours as soon as we got the boat last year before stopping…

picking up Monday return Friday morning. I did the same time frame last year from Anderton to Nantwich and back. That was very easy. My Swedish wife had concerns initially about 18 century ‘elf and safety. Kids loved it. I’ve done this before but all new to them. I’m not keen on going south now so it’s either venture as far as we can get along the Llangollen or just head to Chester as Arthur suggested. thanks for all the input. One day I will have my own boat…I figure in about 2 years…Al least now my kids are hooked.😊 the boat museum we’ve seen a number of times…. I’m in Liverpool half the year when I’m not in Sweden… That’s a shame. I’d happily cruise 12 hours a day. My wife is unlikely to sanction that….

Mmm, Chester return is tempting… That’s a shame. I’d happily cruise 12 hours a day. My wife is unlikely to sanction that….

Yes, it’s lovely along the Middlewich branch but I’ve already covered that from Anderton Marina. It’s a shallow draughted boat so I think we will be fine once on the Llangollen. I plan to buy a deep draughted boat eventually so may well only ever see the Llangollen in a hire boat.

Ah yes the current. In that case I’ll go up in order to come down. Less diesel on the way back then?

My last hire trip out terminated at Nantwich. Now I plan to start where I left off. I regret not taking the Hurleston flight and going down the Llangollen. They tell me it’s nice down through Audlem though and beyond. I only have 4 days. So which do people vote for and suggest I do…Llangollen or head south of Audlem? I’m planning my trip mid June…8 hours a day cruising, return to Nantwich.

Still great value for money. The mortgage rate on my modest apartment goes up about £400 a month as of this month. 😨

I did a 1973 Rover P5B coupe in that some years ago! The rover like a railway locomotive or a narrowboat suited being coach painted. I also got part the way in with a 1950s Opel Rekord and the German guy who came all the way over with a trailer to get it off me will have had a tricky job dealing with the special primer I’d used for that stuff. Not compatible with conventional auto finishes for a top coat. I’m not sure I like the trend for auto paint finish on narrowboats. Pearlescent burgundy anyone? I know there are I’ve seen it…each to there own. I realise I’ve probably annoyed people now.😳

Well as they say who needs enemies?