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1 lock, 281 in total.
We had a lovely time late yesterday evening watching the deer from the farm – they were outlined against the horizon and the young fawns were frolicking and racing around, then going back to their mums for a feed. Part of the deer farm is on top of an underground bulk oil storage facility, set up in WW2; the pump house is all remains today. (We assume the facility is on solid sandstone rather than the quick sand around the iron lock.) Anyway this oil facility was linked to the south coast P.L.U.T.O. (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) which was instrumental in the D-Day landings – quite a distance when you think of it.
Some other facts I found out after I wrote yesterday's blog:
•
The round tollhouses by the locks were called Length-man's huts. They stand on a clay base – no other foundations whatsoever – and are unique to the Chester section.
•
The iron lock was constructed to a design by Thomas Telford. Iron pilings were sunk around the lock edge to the iron
plates were attached. In 2002-03 these pilings were excavated to check for rust/decay which might explain the distortion of the lock sides. All appeared to be in apple pie order and it was then suggested that the warping was probably caused by geo-morphic movement – so now you know!
This morning we motored a little way before mooring and heading off by footpath to Beeston Castle, 30 minutes walk. Building started in the 13
th century and more was added a century later. It stands at the end of a sandstone ridge which dominates the surrounding lowlands and was almost unassailable, helped in part by having one of the deepest wells in Britain at 370'. The whole site is bunny country and doggie heaven, particularly when we ignored the injunction to keep Hattie on a lead; honestly, large open spaces and no-one in sight – I don't feel guilty! There really isn't a huge amount left of the castle but the views from the top are outstanding, even through the heat haze.Lower down the hill were caves – big disappointment as there were iron railings across the entrance. Any caves into hillsides always
put me in mind of
Tom Sawyer. Hattie had a splash and paddle in the very small R. Gowy which crossed the footpath near the canal; lovely sandy stream – so much better than mud.
Lunch was at
The Shady Oak (we were eking out the food, ok?) after another short motor and we even found space on the pub moorings so we didn't have to close up
Dunlin. It was more a menagerie than a pub – ducks, chickens and cockerel, peacock and 2 springers – and the food was good too.
It's just as well that John can take the heat – he helmed for 2 hours this afternoon whilst Hattie and I stayed below, catching some breeze but not the sun's rays. I could feel my skin burning even with oodles of sun block. We're now moored at Waverton by a largish grassy area with plenty of shade - the village shop exists but is rubbish and I've managed to book a haircut for tomorrow.
Plans have changed yet again – we're obviously learning to live
dangerously! We will now continue to Chester before turning round and returning to Barbridge Junction – it seems a pity not to visit when we're so near, we have time in hand and it solves the food shopping dilemma.
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Chester
Chester is lovely, I hope you enjoy it. In the park on the Dee there is a statue of the Marquis of Westmonster with words carved by my great great grandfather, master stonemason. The canal we have seen, too. Exciting that you are planning you trip as you go.