Nantwich.

We set off, but only round the corner to the services. We stopped to dump our garbage and top up with water. I also took the opportunity to pick some more red currants and black currants. I was surprised that there were any left but it didn't look like any had been picked since we passed on the way to Chester a week or so ago.

We were soon approaching the Barbridge Junction with the Middlewich Branch. I was expecting it to be heaving with boats but it was surprisingly quiet.

Barbridge Junction, Middlewich left through the bridge.

After the junction there was more traffic than we had been used to but I'm sure we will get used to it again. Well we did before we stopped for the night! Quickly Hurleston Junction arrives. This is the route to Llangollen and is usually very busy at this time of the year but was again quiet with just one boat in the first lock going up.

Signpost at Hurleston Junction.

It wasn't too far until our mooring on the embankment at Nantwich. The canal was supposed to go to the west of the actual route but the owners of Dorfold Hall refused to allow it through there land so a very large embankment had to be built and with civil engineering methods it took years to stabilse the bank to stop it slipping and breaching the canal. It is a bit of a walk from where we are moored, near the aqueduct over the Chester Road aqueduct. The walk into the town down Welsh Row passes a school built in 1921, pubs built in 1676, Georgian houses built in 1740'ish, alms houses built in 1870 to replace some from 1676. Once in the town centre there are still plenty of things to see. Streets radiate from the Town Square. We walked to the station to get my tickets from the machine ready for my trip home next week. We then got some bits and pieces from Aldi's and then walked back into the town to explore a little.

Town Square. Nantwich.

War Memorial, Market Square, Nantwich.

St. Mary's Church Nantwich. Most of the building dates from the 14th Century but there are parts that were part of a building of 1133AD that was the Abbey of Combermere.

The Crown Hotel on High Street, near the Oat Market. This property was built in 1585 after the great fire of Nantwich of 1583 where are large part of the town was reduced to ashes by the fire that burned for three weeks. The upper storey is a long gallery where ladies could promenade in all weathers and i believe an early form of tennis was played too.

Shropshire Union Canal Aqueduct with the embankment around Nantwich. The Battle of Nantwich was fought on land to the right in 1644. The town was held by Crowell's men. After 10,000 troops fought it out and the Royalists were defeated and the siege lifted. We are moored a little to the right of the aqueduct.

We paid a visit to the Tourist Information at the Civic Hall to gather information as Helen will be visiting here several times next week I feel. She saw the bargain of the day, a pinny for a pound! I feel that several will be purchased so beware if you have a birthday in the near future!!