The weedy way to the past

Ellesmere Port

original buildings and pump room

Once the pub had quietened down it was a peaceful mooring in the basin. The weather was warm but the sun was hiding behind thin clouds. We set off for Ellesmere Port which was at the end of the Shroppie canal. To go further we would have to arrange a passage on the busy Manchester ship canal.

 

top water level at the canal Museum

old narrow cargo boats

The canal wove through gentle countryside but we progressed slowly as it was very shallow. The path alongside pointed to places of interest, one being Chester Zoo. I half expected to run alongside the zoo but the ½ mile sign pointed away from the canal. Still there was no roar of lions from beyond the brow of the hill.



Locks to the lower basin with view of Runcorn behind

large barges

We moored for lunch early at a pleasant spot before busy roads and industry crowded the canal.



the lower basin

Waiting for restoration

After an hour’s break we set off again. The Captain was gently perplexed by the increasing amount of weed as we approached Ellesmere Port. At regular intervals the thick long weed tangled round the rudder and the Captain had to hang over the stern deck to pull it off to stop it obstructing the rudder. He also kept reversing to clear the prop of weed. We had two failed attempts at mooring near the museum but the water was too shallow so we went right up to the museum visitor moorings.

Beyond restoration?

Down to the Ship Canal with ship in dock

as we moored a group of children wearing high visibility jackets were shepherded to the lonely coach in an empty coach park. did they really need those jackets to go round the museum and board that coach?



Porters Row



Large engines



Lottie Lurcher inspecting an engine

Fortunately the museum allowed dogs to go everywhere apart from the cafe (unlike the outdoor museum at Dudley) so we were able to enjoy looking round together. There were many old boats in varying conditions and old engines as well as the museum exhibits. Lottie was quite happy to wander round the grounds and galleries until we went in one where the recordings of the works were being played. She found this spooky and kept trying to find the source of the squeaks, bangs and rumblings.



Bridge notice

I found the row of porters cottages fascinating. Each one was decorated in a different decade covering the simple decor of when they were first built to the latest. They were tiny with no electricity and outside loos but at the time they would have been luxury for the occupants.

Across the ship canal



across the ship canal and the Mersey to Liverpool

After our museum tour we bought ice-creams and went across to look at the Manchester Ship Canal. We were stood by The Shroppie but could see over the ship canal to the river Mersey beyond. The two Liverpool cathedrals stood out on the skyline to our left and the massive mile-long ICI factory (built on the river Weaver) could be clearly seen to our right.

The journey back was slow with lots of weed clearing and the wind got up and blew in our faces. By the time we moored in a quiet spot we were cold in spite of the sunshine.