A trip to the big city

Here's me and Her on our July trip to Manchester. I had to make it clear to her that she wasn't welcome on my lookout post. Of course, any seat is mine. He's okay with that. She isn't!

After negotiating the Middlewich Arm and going through the locks at Middlewich (including the notorious Big Lock - see my earlier blog) we headed north along the Trent and Mersey Canal towards the Bridgwater Canal.

We stopped for lunch at Bramble Cutting and passed the lakes where the heron ignored us.

Then, we went through a winding dark tunnel to emerge in an idyllic spot where kingfishers flashed past then posed in the trees (sadly no zoom lens so no proof).

The next day, aften anothe dark crooked tunnel, we went past a dry dock that looked like a railway awning and then into a big tunnel nearly a mile long.

We were now on the Bridgewater Canal and our next stop was Lymm. This canal proved to be very attractive with lots of wild flowers along the tow paths and pretty villages and towns.

In Sale we were joined by Her schoolfriend and young grandchildren who helped with the steering.

Then it was onto Manchester passing interesting architecture and Old Trafford before entering Castlefields where we spent a noisy night. After the nightclub noise and the sirens came the geese.

There was a lot to see in the city - Piccadilly Circus (good food!), Viaduct National Trust Gardens (dogs not allowed) and a suffragette statue - but I was glad to get back to the boat.

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Dog Watching

I’m sat here in the back of the boat dog watching. The little yappy ones I don’t bother with. Those my size like the spaniels and collies are more interesting. Occasionally I see another beagle, good looking like me, but, if I see something large like a German Shepherd or a Labrador I’ll really bark. That’s when I get shouted at. They brought the boat round from Tattenhall Marina on Friday, stopping at the top of Beeston Iron Lock on the first night. On Saturday we entered the Llangollen canal so I got lots of interesting walks along the towpath. It rained on Sunday but we had lunch in a pub in Wrenbury and I got the scraps. By Monday night we’d reached the top of the staircase locks in Grindley Brook (thanks to the helpful volunteers) but had to go home on Tuesday for appointments. As they’re having a new shower fitted, we came back here to Whitchurch that same day and spent yesterday at Cholmondley Castle Gardens where there were loads o...

Prestatyn to Llanddulas

'Come on,' I barked. 'Let's go before the gulls wake up.' We were on a walk along the promenade from Prestatyn to Llanddulas, 12 miles away. The sea was still a bit choppy after the storms on Monday and the wind was breezy but there was a blue sky. I met another beagle (off the lead!!!) but it was old. There were lots of other people with dogs or children or on bikes. He was on his bike and met us half way at the Bike Cafe by the Foryd Bridge in Rhyl. Had a long drink and got some biscuits. He stayed with us for a while as we passed lots of work on flood defences along the seafront passing the funfair on the way to Pensarn Beach. There we stopped for a rest and listened to the bingo caller in the amusement arcade. The joys of a seaside holiday! He cycled back to the car and we followed. She had to be pulled most of the way.

Wet and windy walk to Abersoch

We left Hell's Mouth and looked back at the waves crashing on the beach. It wasn't promising. As we walked over the top of the headland we got close to the edge. It was steep. 'I don't think I want to go any further.' She didn't listen. We headed on in the wind and the rain. Sometimes we nearly got blown over. See that headland? That's where we were heading. Oh no! That's miles away. 'Please can we go back,' I woofed as the wind blew me against the fence. She didn't listen. Then we reached this field. I couldn't see 'breeding bulls' anywhere so we continued. Notice I'm the one in front. Eventually we reached the top and started walking in the direction of Abersoch. We never actually got there. Ian was waiting in the first carpark by the sea. I enjoyed having a rub down and a drink. She had to wait to get back to get out of her wet things.

Life's a Bitch by Stitch

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