it was the 24th April 2010...

OK, this is a honeymoon cruise, so here’s some photos of the nuptials that proceeded it…

It was an early start, no photos of the activities on the Rufford branch of the L&L, but there was busyness there, cleaning, scrubbing and allsorts.

Meanwhile, it was a hive of activity at the Beesleys. Many folks buzzing around; David Bee managed to fly back from the U.S., Stevie Bee did the brother thing and stuck pins in him, Jennifer smiled to see such fun.


The Patriarch WHB looked yonder, top o't'moss...
He was concerned to see that although his youngest daughter looked ready for a day’s work, the terrain looked a bit radioactive
Superheroine JCH did her bit and turned the landscape back to normal, all was well once more.

Jen’s fairy Godmother (sorry Don!) had done her stuff and a cheeky wedding car awaited...

A lovely refreshing journey in that there 1949 LandRover took the wedding party to Rufford Old Hall, where began the long walk down the aisle

Where the groom was waiting
in the Grand Hall















He knew that she would get there, no matter how long the walk!

The fiddler spotted her first

She got down the aisle

the handover would have shamed an olympic relay race medallist.

Vows and rings were exchanged

The register was signed and witnessed

Job Done!

Many thanks to family and friends

Did they have to throw that confetti with such gusto?

Not forgetting the photographers!

oh yes, those photographers

A quick (?) getaway was made

For food and rations at the blood tubs

Not a black pudding in sight! But there was cake!

and fizz

The troops were revived!

No horses were spared as the groom took the helm of the good ship Maya

He threw her a line, she looked like competent crew

stowaways were removed

men were at work

and the honeymoon cruise was underway!

to magnificently meander at will…

Another canal, another country

Well not quite. We've made it onto the Llangollen canal, but not into Wales yet.




We moored overnight at our quiet mooring south of Chester last night under the watchful gaze of Beeston castle.





Though it wasn't so quiet this time round, FIVE people and two dogs came past, the cheek of it.

Almost ruined the inaugural firing of the ships new BBQ.




Then we had to go up the Bunbury flight, not as easy as going down. Takes a bit more thought going up. Which chambers need to be full and which empty for it all to work.



Then we turned onto the Llangollen, and promptly got stuck! Apparently it is the narrowest lock in the country. We got fast up on the vent for the fridge. Must stick out, ohh a half of an inch. More than there was spare room to play with.



On the plus side the lock gates have walking boards on top of them and if you're brave or daft enough you can step across the open gate.




After clearing the first run of locks we moored up for the night. As usual we've managed to find the most remote for a quiet night.

Tomorrow, so the good captain tells me, is a day of locks a lift bridges.

Chester

This time I made it over the wall. I cunningly hid the boat from sight.



Then scaled the city walls.



Undetected due to my skillful use of camouflage. The captain was much more lady like and used the stairs.



We then played tourist and saw the sights, even had an ice cream.




In fact time got away from us, so rather than rush we'll stay moored up under the city walls and set off again in the morning.

We are still at the museum. Being so close to home it's given our families the ideal opportunity to come out and visit. So we've spent three days here in total. On the Thursday we met up with Mum & Dad D.

On Friday we were on our own and had another look around the museum, and did a bit more ship spotting and walked down to the ship canal.




The captain has now decided she wants a boat THIS BIG!



Being locked in the museum at night meant we had to make our own fun. We are getting very resourceful / sad. Delete as applicable.






Today we had a visit form Mum & Dad B, Big sister and the kids. We put the young'uns on a boat handling course.



It didn't go well..............................



So we tried the young fella with some manual work, ahh well we can always use him as a fender.



While Mr B caught up with an old relative?



For tonight's entertainment, we cut a length of rope free that had wrapped itself around the prop.



Between us, good teamwork and determination.



We were VICTORIOUS ! and a little wet and mucky.

End of the line.

And a step back in time. We've arrived at the boat museum at the end of the Sropshire Union where it meets the Manchester ship canal.



Look, see a ship and everything.

Visiting boats to the museum usually moor in the lower basin. However the water levels were very low, so we were moored up with the boats in the museum.



Then we had a look around the museum, very interesting place, friendly too.



In fact there is so much to see we are going to stop another day or two and have another look, there is stuff we are bound to have missed.