Between Ellesmere Port and Chester

We had a lock free cruise, stopping at mooring rings midway between Ellesmere Port and Chester. On the opposite bank were stables and an outdoor arena where we enjoyed watching a young horse being schooled. Halfway up a hill on the towpath side we could see a very tall, strong wire fence, behind which lay the grounds of Chester Zoo. We heard some very unusual animal noises but didn't see any of the creatures making them during our stay.

We spent a couple of days here to slow down and rest before heading back into the city. Rainboat's engine had clocked 250 hours of running time so
Will carried out a service with oils and filters he'd picked up from Nantwich Canal Centre in February.

Apart from melodious Spring birdsong it was a quiet spot and the towpath had been recently layed, meaning it was dry underfoot. A border of close-planted Hawthorn saplings had become well established. Their trunks had recently been sliced in order to bend them over at 45° and weave them into a hedge. It was great to see the technique in practice to replace some of the many miles of hedge the UK has lost in recent decades.Read more