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Wednesday 21 February 2018

Ellesmere Port Wednesday 21 February 2018

I can't say I really enjoy mooring in town with people walking past the boat until the early hours, they weren't overly loud, but I was still aware of them. For diner we went to Bella Italia, paid for by that nice Mr Tesco, but I always under estimate and don't get enough vouchers. The town was very quiet when we returned to the boat.

This morning two of the other boats moored here had departed and one of the had left quite a bit of diesel on the water behind us.

We met up with a disabled single handed boater who wanted to go down Northgate Staircase Locks with us and set off at quarter to eleven. Needless to say all chambers were full, so after putting both boats into the top chamber I started dropping the second while Diana was emptying the bottom. I didn't quite judge it right as we overtopped the second chamber gates lowering the top. While we were doing this NB Oleanna arrived below the lock and Pip drew the bottom paddles again to get rid of the excess water. They came up in the bottom chamber while we dropped the middle one and then we shuffled to swap chambers so they continued on up and us down. Our locking college was only going as far as the basin by the Dee locks so we waved him farewell as we continued on to Ellesmere Port in rather pleasant weather. Just before the Port there is now what looks like a pallet manufacturing factory or distribution yard.DSCF0249

I put Harnser into the top lock at the port with help of some children working the gates while Diana went into the museum to pick up the paper work, I do wonder if they would have noticed if we hadn't have stopped. The 2 locks down to the basin are left full in case someone falls in so we had to draw a paddle after leaving.

We moored opposite the end of the hotel, I found a ring for the stern line but at the bows had to run a line out to the other arm as although its all grass between the arms, its only 2" deep and then stone or concrete.

Today's Journey map 059 miles 5 Locks in 4¼ hours

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