Monday 23^rd March 2020

The loo was emptied and the water tanks filled, before we moved off. Normally, at the basin service point, it would just be a short walk across the Dee Branch top lock to the Elsan point. But with the lock shut, and fencing around it, it is a 200 yard walk along the towpath and a residential road, to reach it. People do give funny looks at you, trundling along with a wheeled toilet cassette.

The CRT contractors were about to start work on the lock and so we had to take water before they started, as they would have to block access to the water point in order to move their equipment on a barge, across the canal.

It was then a case of crossing the basin and start the ascent of the Northgate Staircase Locks. Unfortunately, while we were watering up, a boat had passed and started up the locks. We called across to them to share the locks, but they were already gone.

Passing from the basin, to the wide area of canal below the locks, we had, strictly speaking, passed from one canal to another, from the Wirral Line of the Ellesmere Canal to the Chester Canal, although both now form part of the Shropshire Union.

The Northgate Locks, a staircase of three, are very heavy, both the lock gates and the paddles, so we had a role reversal with Brenda steering the boat and myself on the locks. Many people comment on the fact men steer the boat, while women tend to do the heavy work of operating the locks. The reason, in the main, is very few women will handle the boats and so are left on the locks. We are fortunate, Brenda, for her size is strong and very few locks defeat her, whereas a lot of women are seen really struggling and it is rare the menfolk will leave the boat to help.

We passed up the staircase quickly although they were very slow to fill, and Brenda did a good job of handling the boat. Progressing up the staircase, the views across the River Dee towards the Welsh Hills, open out and are quite spectacular. 

          

Brenda steering up through Northgate Staircase Locks

Beyond the locks we passed through the deep rock cutting below Northgate Street and the city walls, before, once again, mooring at Cow Lane Bridge at the foot of Frodsham Street and just a hundred yards from the Eastgate Clock.

Once moored, we went once more into the city, shopping, picking our mail up from W H Smith’s and into Tesco’s. Once we leave Chester, we will be out in the countryside with no villages close to the canal and want to ensure we do not run out of stores. Tesco’s still have no pasta items in stock and most of the beer has gone. If anybody wanted to conduct a survey on the most unpopular beers in the country, all they would have to do is visit.

We later walked with the dog through the city centre. The streets were almost completely deserted and the majority of the shops are closed until further notice. It was great for taking photos though.

Chester probably ranks as one the most visited cities in Britain, popular amongst tourists, both home and overseas. The actual city centre of Chester, within the city walls, encompasses the majority of the shops in a small area, the main streets being named after the city gates: Northgate; Watergate; Foregate and Bridgegate.    

Chester City Centre

Some of the attractive buildings are Medieval, mock Medieval or Georgian but by far the greater number, including most of the black-and-white buildings, are actually the result of Victorian ‘restorations’. The ‘Rows’ are an interesting, unique feature of Chester, double-tiered Medieval shopping streets along the main streets. 

Chester Town Hall

     

Chester Cathedral

The Town Hall, opened in 1869, is a prominent building in Gothic Revival style with a tower and short spire. Directly opposite lays the Cathedral with sits in the centre of the city. The architecture of the Cathedral dates back to Norman times although there have been additions every century since.

We had been looking forward to exploring the tourist side of Chester but were very disappointed, although maybe not altogether surprised, to find the Cathedral shut on account of the Corona Virus. The place has most probably been open every day for over 1,000 years. Until today.

Weather: a cold start, but a lovely, warm sunny day.

Day Total: 3 locks; 1 mile; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 2.3     

Overall Total: 894 locks; 1574 miles; 53 tunnels; 61 Swing Bridges; 17 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 1063.4