Blacon, NW of Chester

After months of rural bliss on the Llangollen Canal we found we'd reached our fill of the city quite quickly. We cruised on down to Northgate Locks; a triple staircase lock lying in the shadow of the city walls. These locks were deep and as the water emptied you could see the lowest parts were hewn directly from the rock.

We passed through Chester Canal Basin and earmarked it for mooring on the way back. Before long we were in the suburbs, much of them quite run down and rough around the edges. A lot of rubbish floated in the water and goodness knows how much lay below the surface.

A tall metal fence and gate with spikes on top closed the towpath for repairs but we cruised on until suddenly there was a sign saying
'Stop. Canal closed 100m'. With a hard reverse we ground Rainboat to a halt and used the centre rope to haul her back to a point we could moor her to the closed towpath.

Will keeps a very close eye on canal closures but any planned work on this section was due to have been completed already and there was were no emergency notices to be found online. It being late Sunday afternoon there were no workers around to ask so we just stayed put, moored on the closed towpath. The following morning Will went and talked to the fluorescent vested people arriving on site. It turned out they'd completed the work as planned and the canal was open. They'd just forgotten to take the sign down; could Will do it on his way back?

We may not have chosen to stay there otherwise, but with the towpath closed there were no passers-bys so we enjoyed the peace and quiet for a second night!Read more