Aqueduct Marina

To Aqueduct Marina on the Middlewich Branch today, for a boat test.  It's an attractive marina, not too big, and with great facilities including a cafe.  And the sun shone.

Ellesmere Port and Chester

A fantastic day today, which started with a quick visit to Ellesmere Port. The Waterways Museum hadn't opened yet, but a gate was open so we had a look round the basins. We're planning to come this way in September, and wanted to work out the lay of the land.

We then went on to Chester for a look at the Northgate staircase locks, and the canal below the city walls.  Our return route took us up on the walls, looking down on the canal.

We had lunch at The Boot Inn at Willington with my sister and my little neice, before a walk with them in the afternoon.

More pictures when I've got a better connection.

Foxton

We left home at 7 this morning, heading indirectly for Cheshire.  Actually, our final destination was past Chester just into Wales.  But first stop was Foxton for a boat test, which included an all too brief spell at the helm up to Debdale Wharf, in lovely sunshine.  We walked back to Foxton for lunch at Bridge 61, then an ice cream at the top of the locks.  The whole place was swarming with people as usual.  In the afternoon we were back in the car, driving further up the M1 and cross country towards Chester.  En route, thanks to avoiding an accident on our intended route, we crossed the Caldon Canal at Froghall, and the Trent and Mersey at Stoke.  Then it was over the Llangollen at Hurleston and the Shroppie at Barbridge.

Apsley

A visit today to Apsley Marina on the Grand Union.  It's an area I've neve been to before, and it looked lovely in glorious sunshine.  The marina is quite small, and surrounded by attractive housing.  There's also a small supermarket, a cafe, and a pizza restaurant, in addition to boaters' services.

Out on the canal itself, there are to contrasting bridges.  In one direction, there's a striking modern footbridge.  The other way, there's an attractive traditional bridge, painted white.

In spite of the weather, we saw very few boats on the move, although the working pair Bletchley and Argus did go past.