The late May Bank Holiday weekend

Almost a fabulous bank holiday weekend at least the sunshine was superb.

Managing to reach Marbury Park around 17:00 hrs on Friday evening, the weather today hasn't been that good but it didn't rain during our trip.

Saturday morning, the sun was out nice and early and the decision to wear a fleece on Busters walk was the wrong one as I ended up carrying it most of the way.

A paddle in the stream to cool little paws down.

Unfortunately Saturday was spoilt from about 10:00a.m onwards by the local farmer adjacent to Marbury Park who had decided to spend the full day shooting, what was being shot I dread to think. 

Buster isn't good with loud bangs and his day was spent hinding inside the boat, an attempt to venture out turned into a disaster when I was forced to carry him about a mile back to the boat when he refused to walk any further, not a large pooch but over that sort of distance he feels like an elephant. 

Poor Busty scared stiff, refused to walk.

We had read somewhere that a sequoia tree was planted in the parkland and we decided to hunt for it, It shouldn't be that hard to find, these Americans giants have tunnels carved in them and cars drive through, well after unknowingly walking past it a few times we finally found it, what a disapointment I could have put my hands around its truck, it can t have been more than six inches circumference, apparently it had only been planted in the 1990's.

Buster didn't leave the boat again until Sunday and then he refused to go back to Marbury park. All I could do was to walk down the canal past the Saltworks museum and back around to the nature reserve that heads back towards the boat, it was a good fifty minute walk and we visited the bird spotters hide on the way to see the views.

Overlooking the mere.

Mid-morning we moved further along the canal to Anderton boat lift, Buster was slowly becoming his usual happy self now that we had moved away from the bangs. 

After tying-up the boat, Corinne eyes lit up when she noticed the Fudge boat was moored just in front of us. 

Swans by the lift, a boat on the Weaver and a Fudge boat, perfect.

A walk to Asda for the first time took us about 25 minutes and was a nice stroll with views down onto the River Weaver, quite a lot of boats heading upstream today. The river is something we haven't tried yet. Maybe next time.

Buster happy again.

On the way home Buster was falling asleep in the car, head resting on the window.

Easter Break...

Our first trip of the year. The weather forecast for the Easter weekend wasn't that good so we were a little bit unsure what to expect.

We managed to get down to the marina on Thursday evening, a little too late to venture out onto the canal so we lit the stove and spent the night in the marina.

Friday we arrived at Marbury Country Park, all three of us love it here, the park and it's surrounding walks are excellent for dog walking and Mr B certainly likes his walkies.

Shared mooring at our favourite spot.

Having great fun exploring the woods and playing ball.

Saturday we moved down to Anderton boat lift turning around at the winding hole and finding a spot just past The Pirate boat, this is another great place for walking. 

Sunday's early morning walk was beautiful in the sunshine, and as usual lots of dog walkers here. 

The Pirate boat at Anderton Boat Lift.

Heading back to the boat.

An old wheelbarrow, looking very heavy and that's before anything goes into it.

Looks like a lot of work has gone into pruning and trimming back the vegetation ready for spring.

Spotted these red mushrooms on our morning walk along the River Weaver.

All snuggly and warm, time for a rest.

Today we headed back to Marbury, stopping off at the services on the way and managing to get stuck, very silly of me I should have known better, obvious signs of land slippage that I missed and the water is apparently lower because of the breach at Middlewich, and because of water getting pumped from the Trent and Mersey up to the Shropshire Union.

Monday's weather wasn't so nice we awoke to rain, that as usual sounded worse than it actually was. Our walk this morning was definitely quieter we only met a couple of doggie's willing to brave the rain.

The rain stopped for us just before lunch and we had a dry and quiet trip to finish off a wonderful weekend.

The Adventure Begins.

Exiting the entrance of the marina looked tricky but was in fact quite easy, or maybe just beginners luck. It was early afternoon. The weather is lovely now lets hope it will continue.

It wasn't long before we were passing the old Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI) now owned by Tata India at Lostock, the place is looking in bad shape, some of it almost in ruins. Its been about twenty years since I did some work there.

Passing some marinas and the lovely smell of freshly baked bread coming from Roberts Bakery a short distance away. 

The Lions Salt work museum has opened up since we last passed here, there didn't seem much room for us to moor so we carried on by, but I would definitely like to call in again sometime for a visit. 

We moored up for the night at Marbury Country Park late afternoon, it is beautiful around here. The Hall has long since gone, demolished in the 60’s but the walks around the old grounds are great, and ideal for dogs.

Creamfields music festival is taking place in Warrington today and the noise coming from it could easily be heard from here, Buster refused his last walk before bed at just after 22:15 because of all the flashing lights in the sky. 

Our view from the side hatch tonight.