The Shropshire Union Canal - Ellesmere to Chester.

So our journey down the Shropshire Union Canal begins. 66 1/2 miles to Autherley  Junction, Wolverhampton.

Its nine miles to Chester and with no firm opening date for the Northgate Staircase Locks we begin to slowly meander our way down.

First moving boat we have seen for days.

Canal side art and walkers keep us entertained.

Just love it when the trees are in blossom

Hard to imagine Stanlow Refineries and Cheshire Oaks retail complex lurk beyond this gorgeous green corridor.

Stoak Church 

Now the plan was to travel to bridge 134 where Chester Zoo is within walking distance. Spontaneity  took over and we visited the excellent pub - Bunberry Arms. The staff very welcoming and friendly serving real ales and food to die for.

We awoke the following day to glorious sunshine and after an hours cruising we are moored at Bridge 134 ready for a the Chester Zoo visit.

Chester Zoo is half a mile walk from this sign post, that is if you turn right down the path and ignore the pink sign!!!!  We had a lovely day at the zoo and it was well worth the entry fee. 

Leaving the zoo we enter remote pastureland and linear moorings before reaching the outskirt of Chester.

Approaching Tower Wharf

The Telford Warehouse

now a vibrant bar

The ever popular canal side apartments

The historic boatyard at the head of the arm leading down into the River Dee

The dry dock very much still in use.

The arm leading to the River Dee is now permanent moorings.

now named Williams Moorings.

Waiting patiently for the lock to open again.

A Taste of The National Waterways Museum

The museum is established in the old Ellesmere Port basins and along with Gloucester and Stoke Bruern it is one of three National Waterway Museums sites.

We got up on Wednesday morning to a stoppage notice, the Northgate Staircase Locks in Chester had failed.  The middle cill needs replacing and could take around 10 days!!!!

There is an extensive collection of old working boats, some waiting to be renovated 

The art of the Blacksmith is still alive.  Exhibits, models and photos trace the history of the canal system.

Moving on up to the upper basin for water, elsan and rubbish disposal.

Trev uses the time to catch up on a few odd jobs.

We are starting to feel like a museum piece ourselves so after 5 days its time to move on.

2 Locks.

"Arkholme cross the Mersey"

After being consigned to dry land in 2016 due to illness and our 2017 route south blocked, until late May at the earliest, by the Bridgewater Canal stoppage at Boothstown we embarked upon the River Mersey escape route.

The Mersey escape route begins at Brunswick Lock at the end of the South Docks system, Liverpool, crosses the river to the Cheshire side, travels along the coast to Eastham Lock which is the entry to the Manchester Ship Canal. Passage is then made down the canal to the Ellsemere Port Boat Museum which gives entry to the Shropshire Union Canal.

As we were making the passage solo we employed the services of a pilot, Stuart Wood, who was invaluable.
A unbelievable amount of organisation has been done to get us to this stage.
Firstly Arkholme had to undergo a sea-worthy certificate carried out by a MSC surveyor (£120)
Brunswick Lock is booked through Liverpool Marina (£40) Permission to transit Eastham Lock and the Manchester Ship Canal is granted by the Marine Supervisor, Paul Kirby.(£65) He needs application form, seaworthy certificate, copy of insurance and payment 48 hours before prior to transit.
There is a swing bridge before the Ellesmere Port lock which need to be opened by arrangement with Ellesmere & Neston council. 
Finally Canal & River Trust need to be aware of your intention to use the lock in the lower basin of the Boat Museum.

Raising Brunswick Lock bridge.

That's where we are heading!!!

We felt a good swell for about the first 5 minutes 

Looking back at the lock......

and the Liverpool skyline.

Passing craft.

45 minutes of making excellent progress and Eastham is in sight. We could not have asked for better conditions, very little wind and a calm river.

Keeping right of the bouy.....

and so is this monster with whom we have to wait for before we are allowed to enter the lock.

So we nestle into the outer lock wall and wait with baited breath and afternoon tea!

Small by container standard but well big enough to dwarf Arkholme.

First attempt at entering the lock could have gone better!!!

Now its our turn, Trev is at the ready with the front rope.

All ready to rise up the lock.

Bring on the Manchester Ship Canal

As the container was turning and docking outside the boat museum our pilot negotiated with the container pilot for us to go ahead.

The canal itself is wide and tree lined 

Gaining speed the container passes us.

Passage from Eastham to Ellesmere Port takes about 45 minutes.

Ellesmere Port Lower Basin Lock.

Safely moored.   A awesome adventure , well worth all the planning and a wonderful start to our 2017 cruising season!!!!