A dismal start to the day, as we set off for Ellesmere Port.
The Cheshire countryside gave way to the industrialized approach to Ellesmere Port.
The very first view of the National Waterways Museum.
We pulled in alongside a moored boat outside the reception, and I went to book in. Unfortunately everyone was in a meeting so whilst we waited we topped up with water. It wasn’t long before Martyn arrived and saw us down through the locks to the bottom basin, and a mooring. Whether this will be our mooring for the Easter weekend, we will have to see, as we may get moved around a bit.
After some lunch we took what was supposed to be a brief walk around the museum, to get our bearings, which ended up be more or less a full tour. There are many boats of all descriptions, in various states of disrepair, being restored and completely restored.
This is the wide beam trip boat, which we had to wait to be moved so we could get into the top lock.
We found ourselves alongside the Manchester Ship Canal.
This ship was unloading, it looked like coal from this distance, but could have been anything really.
The Lighthouse.
Back to the locks within the museum, and the Holiday Inn.
Hadar moored on the island opposite the Holiday Inn.
A concrete barge, like the Purton Hulks we saw on the Gloucester & Sharpness canal last year.
Inside the Island Warehouse we came across Friendship, the mule drawn narrow boat which belonged to Joe & Rose Skinner. We both wondered what they would think of their boat being inside the museum?
There are some cottages you can visit called Potters Row.
And finally I came across both a National 2DM, and a Russell Newbery DM2 and from the two photos the differences between the two engines can be seen.
National 2DM
Russell Newbery DM2
No doubt whilst we are here for Easter we will get to see lots more, as this was only supposed to be a brief tour!
Keith.
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