Middlewich to Chester

After a couple of days larking around, playing pool in Middlewich, it’ll be time to cast off and  continue our route  towards Chester.

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Guests will arrive approximately 1.30pm on day one and after an introductory blah blah (and most probably glass of something fizzy) we’ll chug off to begin our adventure.​.. probably taking on water before turning on to the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union.

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This stretch is much underrated and generally used as a transit route – as such, many folks miss out on the lovely woodland ramble down to Church Minshull.  The downside of mooring anywhere along this section however is the underwater shelf which sticks out.  Ellis has a couple of old space saver spare wheels (from a Vauxhall Vetra no less) that live on the roof, getting in the way all year  round  - they do however come into their own to create a spacer keeping the hull from banging all night long!

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After we’ve finished with the Middlewich branch, we’ll turn right at Barbridge Junction and chug along to Calvely services (water, rubbish and perhaps a pump out) before descending Bunbury Staircase… this can often be a bit chaotic as there’s a hire base just at the bottom with virgin boaters having a baptism of fire.

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Beeston Castle will be looming soon enough as we chug along this charming section of canal… at times it feels like we’re in the middle of nowhere.  It’s a slow journey however as we have to go past several miles of long term moorings before we reach to top of Chester's locks. 

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On our final days travel, we’ll go down Northgate Staircase locks and hope to be able to moor up near the student accommodation.  It sounds noiser than it actually is – in practise, it’s really pleasant place to moor up and end this trip.  If we’ve timed it right, there should be a free afternoon to explore Chester.

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As usual, following breakfast on our final morning we expect guests to depart around 9.30am whilst we prep ‘Ellis’ for the next leg of her adventure.

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This is a trip of 26 miles  and 21 locks.