Beeston Castle



approaching Calveley

The day promised to be fair with light clouds. As we cruised the sun came out but it was cold due to the strong wind. When we reached Nantwich we had good views as the canal ran along a high embankment high above the town. However our progress was slow as we toddled past miles of moored boats. We continued towards the turn off for Wales with the Captain still unable to decide which way we were going or where he would pump out the toilet tank (essential task done approximately every 20 days).

Calveley boat services

As we approached Hurlston Junction a row of cars appeared to be sitting on a hedge. They turned out to be piled neatly in a scrap yard, hidden in the farming landscape. I thought the Captain would head for Wales with its dramatic landscape but we chugged past the four narrow locks climbing the steep hill.

“I can’t remember The Shroppie from when we hired our first boat,” the Captain murmured. “We can have a pump out at Bunbury. The Shroppie was wide after Hurlston Junction

approaching Bunbury



We moored for lunch early at 11.20 at Barbridge Junction. It wasn’t a restful break as the busy A51 ran alongside the far bank.

approaching Beeston

When we moved on the noisy road accompanied us for a couple of miles. Soon after it moved away we reached the Bunbury staircase locks. These two locks lead straight from one to the other making queues longer, but the lock keeper was on duty and had it ready for us. Immediately at the bottom we had to pick our way past an upcoming boat which was waiting opposite the hire boat service point where we wanted to pump out.

As we headed on the ruin of Beeston Castle perched on its steep sided hill dominated the landscape. We had climbed to this ruin when on a hire boat over 15 years ago and had found the views splendid. The Captain made it clear that he wasn’t interested in slogging up the steep hill path for the view this time.



Beeston Castle

We reached the next wide lock to find a boat in it, but they opened a gate for us and waved us on. We worked this and the next lock as an efficient team - our boat crew (me) closed the gates for both boats and they went ahead and opened both lock gates so that the Captain could drive straight in. However that happy partnership ceased at Beeston Iron lock which was signed as single boat use only due to its warped sides as paired boats had got caught up on the iron struts.

After working through Wharton lock alone we moored up for the night within easy reach of the Shady Oak pub.

our view for the night.