A miserable cruise

Friday 29th

I know, I know! I keep harping on about the weather, but for goodness sake, its nearly May and sooo very cold. Winter has us still very much in it's grip. Today we had everything thrown at us, rain, sleet, snow and strong icy winds that went right through you. Got very chilled during our 4 hours cruise. (that's a lot for us!) Took all day mind, because a 30 minute stop at Aldi above Chemistry lock for a shop and then an hours stop when the sleet and snow got so bad it was beyond a joke, then having to turn all the locks which took forever even though we did have a locking buddy today. Met him at the Aldi mooring and he said he would wait. (such a nice couple) And what of the mile and half of moored boats. That took us 36 minutes today. We did have to go slightly faster at 950 rpm because of the wind (850 is normal for us passing boats), it knocked 3 minutes off of the time. Although we didn't moor until 3ish this afternoon having left around 9ish this morning, it seemed like a long, cold and horrible day. Couldn't get warm even after cranking the stove up and throwing loads of wood on. Resorted to wearing my thick socks, calf length fluffy slippers and extra jumper. No doubt later tonight I will be too hot and have to strip off. Poor Ian is already sweating cobs because he never feels the cold! Anyway we are moored by bridge 109 on the visitor mooring by the Shady Oak, being buffeted by the wind and the manic boaters (two trip boats, 1 hire boat and a privately owned) tearing past that made no attempt to slow down! (No excuse because the wind is blowing straight down the canal and not on the side so the revs do not need to be that high!)

Leaving Chester

Locking buddy Ian and Jan on Penny Wise

We are part way along length of moorings and that black cloud in the distance, full of rain and sleet has just passed us making us very wet!.

Boats, boats, loads of boats!

We still have to get to the next bridge before the moored boats stop. Cant even see the bridge from here.

Wow the sun!!!! Beeston Castle looking resplendent.

And on route,

Sorry we missed you Paul and Glennis. No one home as our blast on the horn didn't bring anyone out.

An unusual bird seen on the towpath.

Common Sandpiper

At one of the top locks in Chester a pigeon made it's nest in the lock beam.

 And passing Tattenhall, Swans making their way toward the Marina