Nantwich to Chirk

Hurlestone Junction to Poveys lock (approximately one mile from Grindley Brook), total cruising time 7.5 hours.  A nice quiet part of the canal with plenty of moorings, courtesy of the Shropshire Canal Society.

One of the many lift bridges

Saturday 29 July - Martin, Shirley and Alex came to visit us and help us up the Grindley Brook Locks, including the staircase lock which is under the supervision of a lock Keeper.  The locks were very quiet so the ascent took a mere 1.5 hours leaving plenty of time for an ice cream at the wonderful canal side cafe.   There are plenty of pleasant moorings above and below the locks.  The nearby Horse and Jockey pub is well worth a visit - dogs, children, muddy boots are made welcome.  The food was delicious.

Sunday, we cruised from  Grindley Brook to Platt Lane Bridge - total cruising 2.5 hours, pausing on the way to rescue a narrowboat which had run aground near a bridge.

Blake Mere - view from the moorings





Monday - We cruised through to Blake Mere, there are some fantastic moorings at the side of the mere with breathtaking views.  After pulling another boat to safety, we had a short walk into Ellesmere and enjoyed the afternoon sat watching the wildlife on the mere. 

Tuesday - After a short 30 minute cruise, you are in Ellesmere, where you can moor up in the arm in town next to Tesco - handy for stocking up.  The town has everything you need.  and after stocking up on provisions we resumed our cruise before mooring at bridge 7W. 


Ellesmere Basin

Wednesday  - a mixture of sun and showers all day.  We cruised through from Bridge 7W to   bridge 21, Chirk - total cruising time 3 hours. 

There was a tailback of 14 boats waiting to descend the New Marton locks, luckily we were going the other way!  In the afternoon we had a lovely walk over the Chirk Aqueduct and into the town centre.  Nugget had a run in the large park and we had a look round the Parish Church of St Marys.  Chirk is a Welsh border town and its main road was constructed by Thomas Telford. Chirk is now bypassed by the main A5 trunk road into Wales.