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Five go on a canal barge
  • Ant Travels
  • Ant Travels

Five go on a canal barge

Somewhere near Nantwich and we’re off to Chester ! And back ! Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 14, 2026
    Ant TravelsFive go on a canal bargeAnt Travels

    And we’re off after Schooling !

    September 14 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Well we eventually find the marina , the sun shines and we are moving!
    And it’s quiet !
    Time for a beer !
    It’s a slow trip up/ down the canal .
    A house …. Some horses …,sunshine and well… it appears as if we have our first stopping point .. and we moor .. it’s 3pm !!!! Supper is as 7 ! Oh dear !

    A walk down the canal ? Back to see what we’ve seen or Up ….and well that’s tomorrow’s excitement ! Tough choice !
    It’s great to chat and the camaraderie!

    We’re back …,keeping out of the sun !
    There’s a barge in front of us and it’s making a bloody noise ! Music for whom?

    It’s sunny and hot !
    Early supper across the canal!
    That music is still on ! Why ?
    Drink!
    They have stopped the Hendrix at 8pm!    Read more

  • Ant TravelsFive go on a canal bargeAnt Travels

    Onto Beeston Castle and who knows!

    September 15 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    So a night with some rain but we all survive! Very odd !
    Some late night chat over old family events !
    It’s a sunny day again !

    So today’s challenge is a staircase lock !!! It’s a double header and takes some time !

    Then it’s a leaky lock !

    Then Beeston lock ..,it’s a rare steel lock !

    Beeston castle looks remote up there ! Ruins of a 14th century castle , on top of a hill which was almost unassailable ! It’s a short walk up there on my own …thankfully the walk is up the gentle side ! Impressive views!
    On the way down are some Bronze Age remains and a replica hut ! Impressive !

    I catch up with the gang in the pub and it’s an early supper!
    A night of games maybe ? An earlier night too!

    Further to my previous survey of reasons for barge / canal holidays … it’s surprising that open and closing locks is never mentioned ! Odd ….treasure or irritant ?    Read more

  • Ant TravelsFive go on a canal bargeAnt Travels

    Chester or bust!

    September 16 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We’re off to Chester and its ancient Roman remains! That’s the thought!

    Today is unfortunately rainy and occasional sun!
    It’s slow going as there are reeds aplenty despite the weedwacker action!

    We pass slowly down a stretch which is barge to barge for over a mile ! It’s a strange off world / off grid arrangement! Some are just boats , some have huts and some …well everything …even a lawn and all manner of stuff!!! Odd !
    It is so out there it’s probably occupied by famous folk .. a bit like Stella Street of old !
    https://youtu.be/iXBj5iGk29o

    Finally it ends …the open canal and then an actual flash of blue …. A kingfisher!
    Excitement over and it’s a slow boat into city ….and a long stretch of houses to pass !

    Btw
    Why Are Canals Such Great Film Locations?
    Atmospheric Settings: Narrow waterways, historic locks, and old bridges provide a visually rich, often nostalgic backdrop.
    Symbolism: Canals often symbolize journeys, transitions, and hidden depths — perfect for storytelling.
    Versatile Landscapes: From bustling urban docks to quiet rural stretches, canals offer diverse scenes for filmmakers.
    Authentic British Charm: Canals capture a unique part of British heritage, culture, and community life.

    Btw a film!
    Must watch the Bargee! HarryHCorbett!
    “A lock-keeper entrusts his daughter with a canal Casanova, and she soon falls pregnant. He refuses to open his locks until the guilty party confesses.”

    Back to the canal….
    Jerry does a 360 with the boat in the turning circle - it’s a big boat but it’s a perfect circle and we’ve turned around ….

    We moor just outside Chester and it’s lunch at the Cheshire Cat ! Beer and food and …. We decide to not visit Chester .

    It’s the slow boat home now!
    Back to where we moored - the Shady! Hmm!

    Pub supper tonight and it’s game night!    Read more

  • Ant TravelsFive go on a canal bargeAnt Travels

    Homeward bound

    September 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Homeward bound so retracing our route !
    Lovely sunny day
    It’s probably going to be slow as other boats heading home too ….
    Not much to report !
    Some randoming from Hugh- odd people from Nova Scotia who bought a barge and are going to come and go …..odd!

    So now it’s … ditto ditto

    Oooh we double up in some of the locks …. Cosy !

    It’s a slow boat home ..maybe we will see the giant Paddington bear statue in Snug bury Farm!!! Oooh !
    We peer …. And there it is …visible on horizon before the trees hide it!

    The Slow cruise continues !

    And we’re back in the room and early so a wander down to Nantwich to see the sights and buildings and food !

    Oh Jayne has bought a charity game for tonight !    Read more

  • Ant TravelsFive go on a canal bargeAnt Travels

    Nantwich and Snugbury!

    September 18 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Time to pack up and part our ways ….an interesting trip!

    Weather on the turn !

    We have a quick diversion of five minutes up the road to Snugbury and ….Paddington!
    It’s a bizarre set of wicker statues/ models of odd things - dinosaur to Dalek to …. A huge Paddington Bear in a field of cornflowers and sunflowers !
    Plus some ice cream!
    How bizarre!

    The end

    FOBB
    Redgrave !    Read more

    Trip end
    September 18, 2026