Previous Year : 2015 The Bona Boater's Trips Following Year : 2017

2016 - The Shropshire Union Canal.

Crew : Pete W, John, Nursie, Stan, Alan & Pete M

Boat : Riverdance

From : Anglowelsh, Bunbury

Route : Bunbury > Chester > Ellesmere Port (Boat Museum) [w] > Stoak > Chester > Barbridge > Audlem > Market Drayton > High Offley > Brewood > Wheaton Aston [w] > High Offley > Market Drayton > Audlem > Barbridge > Bunbury.

Coverage : 82 Locks and 128 Miles

Notes : The only suitably large boat available was a Friday - Friday hire. A place would also be held for Dave (BTS1), although he did say that it would be unlikely that he would be able to go this year.

Unfortunately, Peter Macmillan (Sharon's step-dad - See Shazza - known to many as 'Hector' ) died suddenly shortly before the trip. This meant that Pete W would have to leave the boat on Monday to travel back to York for the funeral on Tuesday, and then travel back to rejoin the boat on Wednesday.

Bunbury Staircase Lock

A sign to remind the unwary how to operate a staircase lock.

Friday 20th May

Noon : Bunbury. Alan having booked the boat, rang the boatyard earlier in the week to find that the boat was not out on hire the previous week, and that she would be ready earlier on Friday. We agreed to arrive at the Boatyard by noon, though Pete M who was coming by bus would not arrive until about 12:30. After loading, and having the obligatory walk-through, we left the boatyard at about 13:00 and headed for Chester. We initially made good time, until we hit Ossies Boatyard... (see 1996) then had to crawl past 1.3 miles of moored boats.

The first lock of the trip - Tilstone Lock.

Warning sign at Beeston Iron Lock.

Beeston Iron Lock.

The lock is slightly out of gauge and the longitudinal ribs can snag paired boats, so narrowboats are are required to lock singly even though it is a wide lock.

Evening : Chester. On arrival in Chester, we descended The Northgate Staircase and had moored opposite Telford's Warehouse by about 19:00. Stan had arranged to meet us in Chester at The Mill Hotel & Spa. When we went in we found it to be rather posher than we were expecting, and so much so that we even wondered whether it was the right place where Stan was due to meet us... but there were four decent beers on, including Coachouse Gunpowder Mild, so we got a round in anyway. A little later, Stan duly appeared, and he was also a bit surprised. It turned out that it had been seriously done up since he was last here, but as the beer was fine and there was no loud music, we stayed and proceeded to drink them out of the Gunpowder Mild. After several more rounds, we finally left in search of food. Both Pete W & Nursie had noted a nice curry aroma when arriving in Chester, so we set off in search of it. We initially found two curry houses - the first was shut and the second was take-away only. Almost by mistake, we found a third called The Chester Tandoori which was open and we had an excellent curry there. We then repaired to the boat for port & Stilton. As we passed by The Lock Keeper, it appeared to be still open, at least judging by the amount of noise emanating from it. It was that same noise that was the main reason why we didn't actually go in.

Northgate Staicase Locks, Chester.

Instructions on how to operate them.

Pete M, Nursie & Alan at The Chester Tandoori.

The paired locks down to the basins below...

...but boaters entering the lower basins should beware of the sunken boat !

Saturday 21st May

Morning/Lunch : The National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. We left Chester relatively late as it was a reasonably short run to Ellesmere Port. The early morning's sun soon gave way to cloud, then rain then torrential rain. Pete M took the tiller as he was the only one who had a wide-brimmed hat, and could actually see where he was going. The initial plan had been to go to The National Waterways Museum and descend the two locks down to the big basin and moor in there. On arrival however, we found the Museum's trip boat blocking access to one lock and an MSC tug blocking the other, so we winded above the locks, moored there and went into The Museum. Having never been before, the common conception was that it was much bigger than any of us had imagined. After several hours in The Museum, we decided to have some lunch.

There would have been plenty of space to moor in the lower basins if the trip boat and the tug hadn't been blocking access.

During the run up to Ellesmere Port from Chester, Pete W had been frantically scouring the internet for a decent sounding pub in Ellesmere Port, but he had failed dismally to find one. Nicholson suggested The Bunbury Arms at Stoak, about an hour back towards Chester, so we left Ellesmere Port and stopped at Stoak by Br.138 for a late lunchtime stop, eventually leaving the pub about 16:30.

The Bunbury Arms, Stoak.

Evening : Chester (again). We arrived back in Chester, and after climbing The Northgate Staircase, we moored by Cow Lane Bridge (Br.123E) at about 19:00. We had intended to visit The Albion, however on arrival there we were greeted by signs proclaiming a 'private party'. Pete W went in to see if we could have even just one pint there, but we were refused. It seems they were holding a ticket-only evening including a meal and entertainment for The Queen's 90th Birthday. Disappointed, we went looking for another pub and found The Cross Keys, a Joules pub just round the corner. There was no food available, apart from a tray of nibbles left over from an earlier party, to which Pete W helped himself liberally whilst buying a round. We did have numerous pints of the various Joules beers. We finally left The Cross Keys in search of food, passing a couple of restaurants that were either closing or already closed. We eventually found our way back to The Canal and found that The Slowboat Chinese restaurant, right next to the boat was still open, so Chinese it was. Having entered, Pete W was convinced that this was where we ate in 1996 , even though no one remembered the name of the restaurant at the time.

The Albion, Chester.

We weren't allowed in as they were holding a private party for The Queen's 90th Birthday.

Sunday 22nd May

Lunch : Barbridge. As it was going to be quite a long slog from Chester to Barbridge, we decided an early start was in order. We agreed that we should set off at 07:00 but after Stan's valiant struggle with the weed hatch, it was nearer 07:30 when we finally set off. The weedhatch haul included the usual plastic bags and blue rope but also included a mop head - no idea how we got a mop on the prop. After a relatively uneventful morning, and having to crawl past Ossie's Boatyard again, we finally arrived at Barbridge at about 14:30. Luckily, we were able to moor on the patron's mooring at The Old Barbridge Inn. We could not have moored any nearer to the pub door ! After an enjoyable afternoon, we set off for Audlem.

It was going to be a long slog to Barbridge, so we left Chester at 07:30 on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.

The Old Barbridge Inn, Barbridge.

When we arrived in Barbridge, we managed to moor right outside the back door of the pub.

Evening : Audlem. We left Barbridge and arrived at Audlem at about 19:00 where we moored between Locks 13 & 14. We passed The Shroppie Fly which was proclaiming 'fine wining and dining' - not really our 'thing', and we went into The Bridge Inn. Unfortunately, their kitchen was closed that day, so there was no food to be had there. There was however some rather nice Marston's Bitter. Later, John, Stan & Pete W went to the local co-op to get something to eat - mostly pork pies, and a chicken wrap for Pete. Whilst Pete was eating his wrap outside, Stan appeared and Pete & Stan then went to explore the other pub in the village, The Lord Corbemere. A modern looking pub with a good range of beers on, though slightly pricier than The Bridge Inn. After a quick pint here, Pete & Stan repaired to The Bridge Inn for a few more pints of Marston's Bitter.

The Bridge Inn, Audlem.

Monday 23rd May

Lunch : Market Drayton. We decided to leave Audlem at about 08:30, but realised we really should to take on some water. We climbed the lock and pulled into Audlem Wharf. Due to a combination of a badly placed water tap (..placed near one end of the wharf, and sod's law says it was the wrong end..) and a short hose, we had to stop at an angle blocking the lock until the tank was full. With a full tank, we left Audlem at about 08:45. We arrived at Market Drayton at about 12:30, moored up and walked into town. On previous visits, we had not found a good pub, but this time we were recommended to go to The Red Lion, which is also The Joules Brewery. After several pints here, Pete W would have to take his leave of us and return to York to attend Hector's funeral. This would involve a bus from Market Drayton to Hanley, a couple of pints in The Coachmakers Arms, a bus from Hanley to Stoke, a train from Stoke to Manchester Piccadilly and another train from there to York. Pete said his goodbyes and left on his epic journey.

The Red Lion, Market Drayton with Joules Brewery behind it.

After Pete left, we had another round in The Red Lion then returned to the boat, having first got supplies from Asda. We were aiming for The Anchor Inn at High Offley in the evening where we knew there would be no food. We were also aware that The Wharf at Shebdon (where we had eaten once in the past) was also now closed, so we would need to eat on the boat tonight. After a quick visit to Asda, we set off for High Offley although the going was rather slow at times due to the number of moored boats.

Climbing Tyrely Locks

Tyrely Top Lock and Bridge 60.

Evening : High Offley. On arrival at High Offley, we moored up then tucked into the Asda steak & ale pies, chips and mushy peas on the boat before heading to The Anchor Inn. We spent a splendid evening in front of a real fire chatting to Olive and other local luminaries including Mal Edwards MBE. After a lock-in, we returned to the boat at 00:45 to enjoy our port - tonight's portion would have increased to 1/5 bottle each as Pete W was missing, however as Nursie had also retired hurt before the port was served, it was in fact 1/4 bottle each.

The Anchor Inn, High Offley.

Mal Edwards' boat 'Becky' moored nearby.

Tuesday 24th May

Lunch : Brewood. As there were no locks on today's route, we opted for a leisurely start, and after greeting Mal Edwards on his boat, we set off for Brewood. On arrival in Brewood, we moored up and went into The Bridge Inn where we had a pint. Meanwhile, Stan went off for a reccie, and on his return we went for a few more in The Swan. On our return to the boat, we continued towards Autherley Junction, but decided to wind before the junction, and after winding we moored at Wheaton Aston.

Evening : Wheaton Aston. Tuesday evening turned out to be a rather abstemious affair. We moored up and walked the full length of the village, which judging by the number of warning signs, appears to have a problem with recalcitrant dog owners failing to clean up after their pets. We went to The Coach & Horses, but found the Banks's Mild to be rather poor, in fact it was 'on the turn'. We had only one pint before going upstairs to The Momtaj Spice restaurant for a curry, though we did have some 'lager' with the curry. After the curry we retired to the boat relatively early, being somewhat 'tired and emotional' after the lunchtime session. We did consider going into The Hartley Arms, but it looked quite uninteresting so we returned to the boat to again indulge ourselves in another 1/5 share of the port & Stilton.

Wednesday 25th May

Lunch : High Offley again. As there were no locks on this section, we opted for another leisurely start, and arrived at The Anchor Inn shortly after noon. Officially, it doesn't open until 12:30 but Olive and her daughter Elaine kindly served us anyway, due to the fact that Olive had an appointment and Elaine was driving her to it and the pub was going to close early. They also opened the gift shop so that John, Stan and Pete M could buy sweatshirts, tee-shirts and a mug, all to parade in front of Pete W who had planned this route so we (..and he..) would have two chances to visit the pub.... Little did he know. Whilst in the gift shop, a tragedy was narrowly averted. Stan who was on The Token, had removed it to try on a tee-shirt and had inadvertently left the Token in there. Disaster ! Luckily he realised when the next round was called and he was able to get Elaine to reopen the gift shop so that he could retrieve it, buy the round and pass it on. Olive allowed us to buy a final round at 12:55 just before closing, and said we were welcome sit outside to finish it even though the pub would be shut.

Evening : Market Drayton. Again, as there were only the five locks at Tyrely, it was a rather leisurely afternoon before arriving at Market Drayton, and mooring up by Br. 62. We walked to The Red Lion again to find that Pete W had only just arrived there back from York some five minutes earlier. Pete M, John & Stan were all wearing their 'Anchor Inn' shirts - much to Pete W's dismay as he'd missed both visits to The Anchor Inn. He then recounted how, that due to traffic in York, he had missed the wrong train that he had wanted to get, and therefore had to get off the right train at Huddersfield to get onto the wrong train in order to visit Stalybridge Station Buffet. Several pints of mild, a superb pie, peas & mash and two missed trains later he made it to Manchester, then to Stoke and on to Hanley. After another hour, several more pints in The Coachmaker's Arms and two more missed busses, he finally made it back to Market Drayton. In The Red Lion, we had numerous pints of Joules, some excellent food and several more pints of Joules before returning to the boat for what was now only a 1/6 share of the port now that Pete W was back.

On his epic journey back to Market Drayton, Pete managed to call in at both The Stalybridge Station Buffet...

... and The Coachmaker's Arms at Hanley, although he did have to miss several busses and trains to do it.

Thursday 26th May

Breakfast : Pete W, Stan & Nursie were up first as usual. Nursie made some tea which she made sure was served to Pete W in John's new 'Anchor Inn' mug... much to Pete's dismay.

Lunch : Audlem. We left Market Drayton fairly early at 08:30 as there were quite a few locks to do before lunch. There would be the five at Adderley and fourteen of the sixteen at Audlem as we intended to moor above lock 14. The weather was cold and overcast but at least the rain held off. We arrived at Audlem at about 13:00 and went to The Bridge Inn for several pints of refreshment. Suitably refreshed, we set off for Barbridge. On the way to Barbridge, a most unusual occurrence took place... in fact, an occurrence so unusual that we only have one photo of it in the last 25 years of The Bona Boaters.. Nursie took the helm. She can drive the boat perfectly adequately, but says she hates doing it, and would rather be doing locks...

Nursie at the tiller !

Mooring up at Barbridge.

Evening : Barbridge. On the way to Barbridge there was a little discussion as to whether we might go straight back to the boatyard and walk from there to the Traveller's Rest at Alphram (a CAMRA National Inventory pub about a mile from the boatyard) or to stop at Barbridge. In the end, we plumped for Barbridge. As we passed the pub, we found there was no space available on the pub's mooring so we moored up where we could, and walked back to The Old Barbridge Inn. After numerous pints, an excellent meal and several more pints - including some rather nice Coachouse Brewery Plum Bitter, Pete W & Stan opted to stay in the pub while everyone else returned to the boat. Pete W went to the bar to get himself & Stan a pint, but was kept waiting by several elderly gentlemen who seemed to be buying several glasses each of double measures of small Scottish things. Pete eventually got his & Stan's pints. Some time afterwards, the three gentlemen left, slightly the worse for wear, while Pete & Stan settled down to another couple of pints of plum bitter. Meanwhile, back at our boat, John was pouring out the final six measures of port and Pete M was outside having a little puff when the same three gents from the pub tottered past our boat and went onto the boat behind us... then... SPLASH ! one of them ended up in the water. He was rescued safely by the others, but not before he'd lost his glasses and his hearing aid. Let that be a warning to all of the dangers of small Scottish things !

Friday 27th May

Morning : Bunbury. It was about an hour's run to Bunbury and as we had to have the boat back by 09:00, to allow for moored boats or other hold ups we set off at 07:30. On leaving Barbridge, Stan noted that The Jolly Tar was totally gone. It was as if it had simply been erased from the face of the Earth, but whoever had erased it had forgotten to erase the pub sign which now stood in splendid isolation at the side of the road. We eventually arrived at the top of the Bunbury staircase at about 08:45 to find the three gents from the pub just starting to fill the top lock. We locked through with them and moored up at the boatyard just after 09:00. We unloaded the boat and loaded the cars. Whilst this was ongoing, Alan was given a chit and sent to The Office. It turns out that within the price of the hire, we were allowed 90 litres of diesel, but as we had used 108 litres, we had to pay for the extra 18 litres. In all our years hiring from Anglowelsh, I'm sure this is the first time we've ever been surcharged for fuel. Having sorted out the fuel and the luggage, John took Stan to Chester Railway Station while Pete M decided that he would go to Bradford with Pete W so that they could have a curry, then he could get a train back to Nottingham from there.

Previous Year : 2015 The Bona Boater's Trips Following Year : 2017

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