Dog Watching

 Trains and boats and cars .... another adventure

Goodbye Beeston Castle - Hello new adventures

We've moved Knot a Yot (our canal boat) to Venetian Marina on the Middlewich Arm.  That means we can do the Cheshire Ring (they said).  That proved too big a challenge (locks out of action) but we did manage to explore bits of the Trent and Mersey and Macclesfield Canals in all kinds of weather.

Our trip, the Cheshire Arc, started in the rain and the cold in early May.  It was so miserable there were no photos of the first leg finishing in Middlewich where he lit a fire and we found a great fish and chip shop and a friendly pub (with dog biscuits) both a short walk from the moorings.  The next day was drier but cold though the sun did appear as we went up the canal and its many locks towards the place where the M6 crosses.  Just out of earshot of the traffic, we stopped for the night surrounded by fields.  

May's a great month to travel with all the wildlife - we saw ducks and geese with ducklings and goslings (which I've got used to now - they're not squeaky toys).  A cormorant followed us for a while while herons waited until we approached then flew further down the canal to watch and wait.  The banks and path were covered in wild flowers including ragged robin and lady's smock with butterflies such as the orange tip flitting from one to another.

The locks were narrow but often in pairs so we were able to go up alongside another boat.  Most were going in the same direction which meant more work for us on each lock.  I assumed that my job was to let bark and let everyone know we were there.  I don't know why it upset them!

Day three was sunny all day - and warm.  We managed over sixteen locks and made it up to the Macclesfield canal.  The locks proved difficult as the boat would suddenly lurch forward, even in reverse gear, and ram into the front gate.  They were relieved to hear it didn't just happen to them,

That evening we stopped near a large stately home between Mow Cop and Moreton Old Hall.  Cheshire has more than its fair share of wealthy properties.  

When we reached Congleton the next day we moored up outside the town and walked to the railway station.  Four trains and taxi took us back home.  We'd have caught a bus but the last one leaves Prestatyn at two so we missed it!  

We had a few days there and then, after going to Leeds to attend a funeral, we drove back to Congleton and moved the boat to a canalside pub which was packed with people enjoying a hot, sunny Friday afternoon.  We'd planned to take the boat up to Macclesfield but decided to explore the area around Congleton and visit some gardens instead.  

Congleton's Physic Garden (free entry) was the first stop followed by the Lovell Quinta Arboretum.  Then we walked to the Bosley locks and realised that it would have been a 

challenge to go up all twelve only to turn round and come back down them.  It was hot and we passed lots of boats in fantastic positions to see the Northern Lights that weekend.  We'd missed them!

On Sunday we left the boat for another short break and returned home (by car) via Capesthorne Hall and Gardens where there was a plant sale.  I disgraced myself by cooling off in the ornamental lake!

A few more days at home then we returned to the boat via Alsager where we parked the car and caught the two trains back to Congleton Railway Station.  Logistics and travel plans are her department! This trip would involve her looking up the bus timetables and maps to work out how to retrieve the car from Alsager, and him taking the buses then driving the car to Middlewich one day and moving it to the marina on the final day, 

While he was cycling back the ten miles along lanes and the towpath, we went for a walk in Middlewich - a town we were beginning to appreciate despite our previous experiences in 2022.