Bartimaeus

For our second attempt to visit Beeston Castle yesterday I hatched a cunning plan.  If we had a large brunch and then set off reasonably early, we could probably get to see the important bits before we are driven back by hunger pangs.  I scrambled the rest of our eggs and toasted the remaining bagels and we set off into the bright, warm sunshine. I like irony, so when we got to the castle entrance I was amused to see the sign outside the cafe telling us that it was open – today.

The castle was interesting to walk around, and had open views from the top (apparently of eight counties).  There was almost no interpretation, so it was hard to know what was important.  Was that niche in the wall a guard-post, a chimney or a toilet?  We were lucky to find a member of staff in the reconstruction iron-age roundhouse.  He chatted to us about it for some time before telling us that he was really just locking up.  He clearly viewed getting away as less important then telling visitors about the site.  We had drinks and cake from the cafe before exploring the grounds a little further and then returned to the boat.  I was pleased to see that the batteries were back to 100% – pretty good for a March day.

This morning we decided to move on through the locks.  The wind had picked up and the sun was a little more intermittent, but it was a great day to be out.  Clare had been inside putting the washing machine on as we arrived at the first lock.  The gates had blown open in the wind, so I let the bow drift in before hopping off the stern and leaving her to drive.  It took a couple of attempts to close the gates.  It was important to know that if I started a little water flowing from the top they would close gently and stay shut.

It wasn’t far to the next lock, but I got back on again anyway.  I was not surprised to see cows in a field in Cheshire, but it was a bit of a surprise to find highland cows.

The next lock was the Iron Lock.  The lock was built by Thomas Telford in an attempt to manage to get a working lock to stay put in the sandy soil.  It was apparently based on the techniques he used in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  Both have stood the test of time, though the lock is surrounded by warning notices.  It is now sufficiently misshapen that it can be a risk to boats, so it is important to let the boat rise slowly and watch out for snagging.

When I opened the first paddle I was wary of a construction looking like a pepper pot.  I know from experience that similar vents can spray canal water when the gear is opened.

The vent made a loud swooshing noise as I opened the paddle, but remained completely. dry.  When I went over to the other side however, it was obviously important to treat that vent with more care.  I used the long handle and ratchet of the windlass to allow me to be far enough away from the spray when it came.

We finished the fourth lock just as we were both deciding it was lunch time.  There was a convenient mooring just beyond with no tree cover, so we could continue to get charge.  More importantly, Clare had been using the diesel engine to charge the batteries between the locks, but switching off while in them.  And the engine had restarted without issue each time.  Perhaps the warm-start problem really is resolved.

Another important job was to get to a shop and re-stock.  From our mooring it was a short walk to the village of Bunbury.  I told Clare to bring a bag.  “A handbag?” she asked.  We used a rucksack though – much more practical.  We set off in earnest for the village.