Blogs from Nantwich, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Day 11: Manchester to Nantwich. Woke up early (too common), with just me in the B & B, and a young Scot, upstairs, who had started a new job here and was awaiting an apartment. I could hear the rain before I peeked through the blinds. Weather check done, I decided I would be cycling on anyway, as the weather report hinted at the sun poking out later in the day. After a quick breakfast, I loaded the bike, and then I proceeded with my Manchester exit. This proved more difficult than it should have been. Again, rain splattered GPS, rain splattered glasses, and busy, noisy, wet traffic. Something on my GPS setup wasn't right as the routing arrows looked like tangled spagetti, and the UK streets rarely seem to finish in the direction they start ... read more

I'm very lucky to travel ... I'm also very lucky to live in a town frequented by tourists! Hope you enjoy a little flavour of a trip around town!... read more

The Holly Holy Day. Nantwich was the site of a crucial battle in the English Civil War when, in 1644, the Royalists lay siege to Parliamentarian Nantwich. By the end of 1643, Cheshire was in the hands of the Royalists with the exception of Nantwich, which was a Parliamentarian Garrison. For six weeks, the village was under siege until Sir Thomas Fairfax and his army of 5000 Parliamentarians arrived on the scene. Finally, on the 25th January 1644, a battle lasting for two hours culminated in the capture of the Royalist baggage train together with several senior Royalist officers and the siege was lifted. Fairfax's success led him to command the New Model Army just over a year later but in celebration of the lifting of the siege, the locals wore sprigs of holly in the ... read more

We had heard of the Anderton Boat Lift but had never seen it in action or visited the site. It was very well sign posted and when we arrived, we discovered there was a whole Information Centre dedicated to explaining the mechanics of the Anderton Boat Lift, giving the history of the local site. It was very well led out and the historical exhibition and explanatory "hands on" notes were excellent. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the boat lift was not operational (had we arrived a week later it would have been) but the day did have it compensations in that there were fewer visitors around and we had therefore access to all of the facilities without any queuing. But do check the opening times and when the lift is available before you go by going to: ... read more

Bangin Sounds Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of the speakers going in, though it was a right mission. Had to take the side panels off to jig saw the holes in, which also meant taking the units out to get the driver's side panel off. As the recesses were not deep enough to house me bangin speakers I had to make an extension ring for both sides. Fortunately I'd left enough excess in the carpet to wrap neatly under the speakers. Finally had to trail the cables under the roof and down the passenger side door frame. With plenty of help from Steve, we managed to get the job done in about 7 hours. Well worth it though! Curtains Sourced some sweet curtains on ebay from a good man called Reza from Van-X in Stoke. ... read more