We arrived in Ellesmere Port today. OK, I confess, there’s no storm but it has been raining non-stop since about 9:30 this morning and we were glad to moor up when we got here!
We departed to grey skies and in no time were running alongside the bottom of Chester’s city walls, seeing them today from a very different perspective compared to yesterday. The rusty old bike someone’s pulled out magnet fishing hasn’t endured quite so well as the walls have.
There’s a short 3 lock staircase flight down into the basin at Chester. Sarah checked they were all set correctly and we started our way down. As we entered the second lock, a volunteer lock keeper (aka vlockie) turned up to help – very apologetic that he hadn’t been there to help us through the first lock. We hadn’t expected any help so it was a nice surprise. As with most vlockies, he was paid in flapjack currency. The big gates plus cill of the staircase make me look very small in comparison.
We spied out potential moorings just before Chester for our way back, and were happy to see lots of nice pilings and straight sections so there’s plenty of options for our return leg. The rain then set in, and Sarah and I took turns steering whilst the other went below. I feel a bit guilty that I sat and read the newspaper in my time below, whilst Sarah did all the clothes washing!
We reached Ellesmere Port around lunchtime. You have to pay a small charge to moor in the basin, and there’s not much choice as the only two moorings above the basin look suspiciously like they are in permanent use by two other boats (despite the 48hr mooring limit). The mooring comes with museum entry included too – which makes sense when you realise the basin is all part of the museum! We’re moored just in front of one of the larger boats in their collection. And yes, that is weed in the middle section, not grass!
The carpentry workshop made us think of Sarah’s Dad, Barry, who was a chippy by trade. They had a whole raft of different tools on display, including a rather fine looking hand-cranked drill press. It also had this lovely brass fire extinguisher on the wall.
Carpentry Workshop 
Brass Fire Extingiusher 
Slipway
There’s a good view from the museum, across the locks into the basin, with the Manchester Ship Canal in the middle distance, and the Mersey in the far distance. We’re hoping to see some passing ships on the MSC tomorrow.
Sarah’s been busy plotting the last stages for our adventure; the original plan didn’t take us beyond Birmingham but now I think we’re nearly sorted all the way home – though there are still a few possible variations on how to go through Birmingham! Old Line or New Line? Do we detour down little-used side loops or stick to the main canals? Who knows!? Find out later…
Shame about the weather – a big change in the last few days.
Just to the south east of your mooring, at Stanley, is a really large oil refinery that up until 2011 was owned by Shell. It is one of the largest in Europe. I hope you can’t smell it. It’s only a couple of Km away.
Blasted spell check! Stanlow NOT Stanley.
Hi both, enjoying reading your adventures, it’s lovely walking the walls we did it (5)ish years ago, the basin looks much worse now with weed. Hope the info was ok Fred sent as he does most of it for us, Birmingham is a great place to visit, so don’t be put of by part of the transit getting there. I await with baited breath on your choice as to what you do xx