The Bearwood Boster

Just in case you're in Ellesmere again,Meze Cypriot restaurant really is fabulous-we're having yet another meal tomorrow.(They won Greek food restaurant of the year in 2021).The Chinese opposite the main car park is good,the Thai is shut at the moment due to a family death in Thailand -we've not tried it as not keen on Thai grub & we haven't tried the Indian as it gets mixed reviews-we've said we'll give it a whirl in the new year.Quite a few other eating places including a pizza takeaway on the Ellesmere hotel car park.*Vermeulens make their own bread,it's not from Chatwins & the butcher next door(Hawkins) make even better pork pies.

When we lived in Bearwood,there was a snooker hall in the old theatre at the top of the road-no noise for many years.Our 80 + neighbour who'd lived there from birth didn't remember late night noise during its time as a theatre,roller rink,ice rink or disco.Then all of a sudden we had live music Thurs,Frid & Sat nights.We didn't mind at first & even went a fair few times.Then the sound ramped up so much you couldn't get away from it.So bad that you could feel the vibrations in every room,It also went on to the early hours.It got to the stage I hated weekends.When we sold the house,we told the buyers & they weren't bothered Where we live now is really quiet,just right for old farts like us.😊

Hignetts was the best Chippy in Chester when I was little.The second best was Les & Rita's,I've heard that their family run a chippy in Rhyl(I think).

Love to cook lamb shanks in the slow cooker,I do them like Cypriot lamb Kleftiko,look on line as there are loads of recipes.The lamb just melts in your mouth & falls off the bone.The spuds in there taste glorious too.The reason I suggest looking online is that I've adapted the recipe to suit what we like.Slow cooker lamb is just gorgeous.

One of the fun things about boat travel is visiting local butchers.It's just a tad annoying when you realise that your fave bacon,sausages,pork pies etc are all in different places which are miles apart !

When we were in Braunston on the weekend of 19th to 21st August-'Miles Away' was moored almost opposite(on the towpath) Midland Swindlers on Friday & Saturday.When we left Braunston on Sunday morning,it had moved across to moor outside Swindlers as they were closed on a Sunday.Taking the mick when you think about the nearby mooring notices concerning fat **e boats & mooring...

We came down as a pair last Thursday & the male volockie at the bottom lock seemed a lovely bloke,but was struggling with the gates etc.What did amuse me was the female lockie who suddenly appeared(no help).It was a shambles at the bottom lock with boats coming up in the way of us coming out.We came out together & then I let the other boat go first through the waiting boats.The lady lockie then looked at me & said,"Now you follow him".I did say what else would you expect me to do,go back into the lock ??🤷🏻‍♀️I know it was sarky but I couldn't help myself after such an obvious comment...

I remember the boat well,the owner used to pootle off to the Weighbridge pub on it & then (I assume) home again.

Pancaking-is that when you're tossing & turning trying to get to sleep ?🤔

Ellesmere is well worth a stop.Tesco next to the canal,plus Coop & Premier in town.Great butcher with bakery almost next door plus a café which sells home made cake & sossy rolls etc almost next door to that ! Great pubs,some good charity shops &...The Mere at Ellesmere.Plus,the best Cypriot restaurant ever-Meze.Ellesmere is a great,friendly little town where we actually live when not afloat.

Love that last line,best laugh in ages...

I'm originally from Chester & used to cross those locks every day during term time(aged 11 to 18).It felt really strange the first time I was actually in them on our boat-me on my own & Paul with a volocky up above.It felt an awfully long way down...

👋👋Hello again !

You recognised our boat's name !😁