Nation Railway Museum

On Sunday we walked from the hotel to the National Railway Museum along the city walls.   Walked our feet off round the museum.   The best exhibit being the streamlined Duchess of Hamilton..

In the afternoon we made our way back to the city wall where we had left off and continued such that by the end of the day we had walked the full circuit.  This also included a short section walking along the River Foss towards the lock near Clifford tower.

The Waverley

Walked as planned to York station well in time to catch the steam special due out at 8:51.
http://www.railwaytouring.co.uk/index.php/the-waverley---sundays-240711-to-040911.html
The weather was fine and we both took a risk and carried no more than a small umbrella - no waterprooks or coats to carry. The train was booked out and showing as 'on time' when we arrived at the platform but 8:51 duly arrived and departed and the train was not to be seen.  However just about 9:00am it reversed into the platform...

defeating any attempt to get a first photo of 46115 Scots Guardsman way down in front of the twelve coaches.

Everyone piled on and we were off.   We were travelling first class in the chocolate and cream Pullman car

all the other eleven coaches being LMS maroon. Whilst the acceleration out of York was not electric it very soon became clear that the crew were not going to hang about.  Booked to arrive in Leeds at 9:47 I made it that we arrived four minutes early!  That really set the scene for the day.  Each time any delay occured due to signalling or whatever the crew managed to quickly claw back time and arrived at the next scheduled stop on time or early.

We had brilliant weather all day although it was a little warm in the coach at times, eventually persuaded others to open some windows, let the air in and hear the sound of Scots Guardsman working hard up front.

We met Simon in Carlisle for lunch and all too soon were making our way back to Carlisle Station for the return journey..

When we finally got back to York we went to take a look at the engine and thank the crew who were in need of a good shower...

Visiting York for Steam trip on Settle and Carlisle

Today we set off to York by train Wigton-Carlisle, Carlisle-Newcastle and Newcastle-York.   We have decided that given our new status in life, and the fact that we have purchased Senior railcards, we should leave the car at home and 'let the train take the strain'!  Apart from the rather poor condition of the local Northern stock from Wigton to Newcastle (especially the old Pacer unit to Newcastle) the service was good and on time for all three legs of the journey.

Once arrived at York station we walked to our hotel.  The main reason for electing to carry two bags an unknown distance to the hotel was to get our bearings as we have to retrace our steps in the morning to catch the steam special.  It also gave us chance to get our bearings, see the sights and enjoy the fresh air.  A taxi ride might have been less strenuous but could have confused our sense of direction.

We had prebooked at Lady Anne Middleton's hotel http://www.ladyannes.co.uk/ on recommendation from my sister who had recently stayed there. Our navigation (using a Google map) was spot on and we were all too soon at the hotel which was not yet prepared for us (it being about 1:30pm).   However after a coffee we were soon established in our accomodation.  This included bed room, livingroom (TV in both!) as well as a bathroom,  Our room is bottom left window...

Soon ready for our afternoon playing tourist in York, first the Shambles..

and then the Minster and then St Williams College...

Then we made our way to the Museum gardens and decidedv to take a brief water diversion on a trip boat which took us up and down the River Ouse to see the sites from the River. This allowed us to see the mooring possibilities should we ever get Prairie Oyster to this side of the Pennines.

VSOE Northern Belle trip to the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

Had a great day out (thanks to our sons) on the Northern Belle from Carlisle to Knutsford where we transferred to coach for the connection to the RHS Flower show at Tatton Park.

The food and service on the train was something we had not experienced before - absolutely fabulous!  Even the tickets came in a genuine leather wallet!

Our seats were in the Pullman coach Chatsworth

and everything was so plush and comfortable it wasn't real.

We really fell in love with the exquisite marquetry panelling.....

The onboard team that looked after us included three specifically for our coach with 'Joe' in charge (a self confessed exile from Scotland brought up in Liverpool) and two girls.  One was Claire from Paris (on the right - just completing an 11 week work experience with VSOE).

 

The team also included the sous-chef and other kitchen staff who prepared the wonderful food that kept arriving at our table throughout the journey..

Of course the RHS Flower show was excellent too, although we would have needed far more than the 3hours we had, to have seen everything (3 days would have been more appropriate)! 

Not only masses of flowers for Bridie but water features to keep me happy too....

It did rain for a while but we managed to escape into the large tents for the flower displays and it couldn't spoil our day.

Overwater

Short cruise from Cool Pilate moorings to Overwater marina with reasonable sunny weather although it was a bit breezy, especially for manouvers in a strange marina.  However plenty of room and no problems getting into allocated berth.

Engine service booked, so now for all the hard work tidying up, packing and loading the car (when it gets here!) after two and a half months cruising.  Then back home for about six weeks to try and catch up with household chores like gardening, painting etc before we move on.

So signing off until September......................

Cool Pilate

Yesterday we had a short cruise up through the two Hack Green locks next to the SECRET nulear bunker which we have visited in the past.  We moved on a short distance to the excellent Cool Pilate 48hr moorings provided by SUC.  These have picnic tables and barbeque stands at each mooring and nice wide grassy towpath - no tarmaced cycle race track here!

The weather has improved again and whilst there is a cool breeze a lot of the time we have had plenty of sunshine and no rain!   I spent the afternoon reblacking the port side of the boat as there were a couuple of bad scratches above the rubbing streak and they will only rust while we leave the boat in the marina for rest of July and August.

We intend to stay here today.  As Simon is bringing car down to us on Saturday we can go into Overwater marina tomorrow.  Plenty of chores to do before we leave the boat,  need to leave it ship shape for next cruise.

Nantwich

Monday morning and Warrior and Resolution depated north about 7:10.  The other boat next to us departed south ten minutes later and we were on our own. It was about 9:30 before another boat came past and we eventually set off heading south through the locks.  Pleasant cruising through Wrenbury as far as bridge 13 before Swanley locks.where we moored for the night near Stoneley Green.

This morning we set off first through the two Swanely Locks on to Hurleston where we watered up and disposed of rubbish etc before descending to the Shropshire Union and turning right.

Arrived about 2:30 at Natwich  moored and went for a quick shopping trip in Nantwich for milk and bread etc. Now heading south on the Shropdhire Union again.   Moored overnight just south of Nantwich near the railway bridge.  Plenty of Arriva trains passing between Shrewsbury and Crewe even saw a class 47 hauling four coaches painted in Arriva colours. 

Marbury Moorings

48 hours up in Whitchurch so move on down the staircase at Grindley Brook and three locks following. Weather not to bad so far in fact looked and felt promising but then as we progressed towards Povey's and Willymoor locks the heavens opened and we got wet again. So we had little choice but to moor up below the lock and go for lunch in the Willey Moor Inn out of the rain!

Good lunch and refreshments enjoyed with tales of canal adventures from crew at next table one couple from Vancouver Island and another from South Africa. 

Eventually moved on and through Quoisley lock to then meet up unexpectedly with Warrior our neighbour from Fettlers Marina.

Decided this was as far as we were going and moored up in same spot as we moored on the way out.  Pleasant evening without much in way of clouds to spoil the evening.   Even managed a second coat of varnish on the hatch door and seat over stern locker.

Today started a bit grey with very minor showers not enough to get wet (yet).  have decided to stay put and chill out again.

Whitchurch Arm

We moved on from Ellesmere through the tunnel and past the meres in rather mixed showery weather weath sunny periods. Umbrella up and down, waterproofs on and off. We moored up at Whixall Moss near the junction to the Prees branch to go for a walk first on the moss  ...

and then down the Prees branch....

Here Sally decided to go for a drink anf fell in and we had some difficulty getting her out.  Needless to say when we finally got back to the boat she needed a bath.   This was bridge where she fell in....

Next day moving on through Whixhall we then stopped at Viking marine for fuel just before Whitchurch (actually advertised as Fame free) and purchased some new mooring pins at last.  Then went into the Whitchurch Arm winded and moored facing out of the arm.   There was only one other boat in the arm other than on the permanent moorings however as the afternoon and evening wore on it slowly filled. Steve went into Whitchurch to get paper and magazines. No evidence of further progress extending the arm yet and the old wharf is now a building site for 'retirement living'.
Friday started wet and miserable (again) mand we decided to stay put and watched as the arm slowly emptied and then filled again in the evening.  Ragnor a Viking marine boat we had already been moored next to in Llangollen moored in front and ran its engines most of the evening, alternator must be packing up because it was doing same (but different crew) in Llangollen.

Despite showery weather I managed to sand down one of the hatch doors and revarnish (first coat only) trying to remove some of the staining in the wood gained when wet seeped in last year.

Queens Head and Ellesmere Arm (again)

Yesterday we moved back up the Aston Locks from Maesbury as far as Queens Head where we moored up and called at the (you've guessed) the Queens Head for lunch.    Afterwards we took a bus to Shrewsbury for a brief tourist tramp round the town to see castle, station, shops and English and Welsh Bridges over the River Severn.

Today we moved back to Lower Frankton by midday to return up the locks to the Llangollen canal and a short one hour cruise back to the Ellesmere Arm.   The weather turned and just as we set off the rain started and got quite heavy before we got to the locks. Although it improved later it still not a sitting outside sort of evening.  Afternoon was spent on domestic chores and Tesco shopping

Maesbury Marsh

We stayed at Lower Frankton for two nights.  The three other boats on the moorings went up the locks on Friday and we were left with the moorings all to ourselves enjoying a lovely summers day.  Mac and I walked down past the new Graham Palmer lock to the aqueduct and back.  Then on Saturday (another beautiful day) we proceeded down the Montgomery via Queens Head and the three Aston locks to Maesbury.  The first section has 3mph posts and then just after Queens Head there are 2mph posts.   The canal is designated an area of special scientific interest because it has a lot of rare plants and insects hence the limited numbers and slow speeds.

First priority when we moored at Maesbury just before 2pm was to go and book a table at the Navigation Inn for evening meal (last time we arrived on a day they were not serving food).  Spent the afternoon exploring the towpath ahead in the un navigable sections currently being restored between bridges 82 and 85.  Interesting meeting with local supporters and were offered a copy of Brain of Monty 2012 quiz to try and complete.   Took a look over our meal at the Navigation but the beer and wine must have dulled the senses!  Need more time to work them out.

On Sunday we moved on down through the lift bridge to turn in the winding hole at the end of the current navigable section and retrace or steps back through the lift bridge to moor on the final 48hour mooring of the Montgomery Canal.  Initially intended to chill out for the day although later on I took Mac for a walk to Llanymynech Wharf a little over three miles away where the next section in water starts.