Chester

A much quieter night last night out in the middle of nowhere. This morning we were off a short time before eleven as we are in no rush with nowhere particular to go. The Beluga flew right over our heads again, but a couple of hours earlier than yesterday. As I still haven't seen a towpath closure notice from CRT with the hole in the towpath I sent them a photo before we set off. There has been hedge set along the back of the towing path, so not all paid for by CRT.

Coming back into Chester there is a foot bridge decorated similar to the on on the Coventry are, but not so ornate,

Next on the right is Taylor’s Boat Yard with a few wooden boats sitting lengthways on the side slip.

Through the basin and under the bridge to the bottom of Northgate locks and the lock started draining as we arrived, there was a Volockie on duty and he drew a paddle as we arrived but explained CRT had a boat in the middle chamber doing something so we would have to wait in the bottom one for a few minutes. The old steps are still in situ in the mouth of the lock. The only reason I can see them being there is for people to try to climb out of the canal after falling in. I can’t see why a boatman would want to use them considering how low it is to the water.

The feral pigeons were having a great time in the overspill weir at the end of the bottom chamber, they left well before the water reached that level.

The work boat moved up out of the locks and the middle chamber topped the gates into the lower one until the Volockie drew the paddles. This is something to watch for going down if another boat is following you as you can end up under a waterfall.

Once the middle and bottom locks made a level we were able to move up a chamber, at this point 2 boats arrived behind us, so as soon as the gates behind me closed they were able to drain and enter the bottom chamber. Sitting in the middle chamber the view was slightly different with ornamental fountains ahead . Something else to watch out for going down if you don’t want a wet neck

Once this equalised we were in the top chamber and just needed to fill that to leave. These locks are quite slow as one of the two paddles are constantly locked off. Even with the slow fill from one people get it wrong and flood the towing path. We just went through Cow Bridge and moored for the night in the same spot as we were in going down, I wonder if we will get a ticket for overstaying?

Today’s Journey

 

4 miles with 3 locks in 2¼ hours