Narrowboat Serafina: Serafina High and Dry in Nantwich

We arrived in Nantwich on Monday on schedule. Since we weren't moving for a while we dropped into the CRT Services for water on one of the slowest taps on the canals. An hour later and we were mooring just near the marina. Nantwich is always a busy centre with lots of hire boats moving through but there were still plenty of moorings available.

Shopping was the first thing on Rachael's agenda, first in Nantwich then, having picked up the car on Tuesday, we went further afield. Wednesday morning we were up early to drop Serafina in for blacking at Nantwich Canal Centre first thing. I was sure she would make the turn into the arm that the marina is on; even though it turns back on itself. Having been told at the chandlery that a 57 footer would make it, I didn't allow for the 18 inches of fender over the rudder. Close! but off I went up the canal for a one hour round trip.

After dropping off Serafina we headed off over to meet last season's cruising partners Kevin and Carole, NB Dunslavin, who were sticking close to home this year and were moored on the Staffs and Worcs Canal. We spent most of the day with them and had a nice lunch at The Lock Pub in Wolverley. We haven't cruised much of the Staffs and Worcs Canal and it is lovely around Kiddimister.

The 'Man burger' was quite a pile

We moved into The Crown Pub in Nantwich for a few days now that we are boatless. I wanted to check out Serafina once she was out of the water before heading up to Scotland for a week or so. The Crown was rebuilt by Elizabeth I not long after being burnt down in 1583. There weren't too many straight lines in the building.

We dropped over to check out how the work on Serafina was going. She was high and dry in the dry dock, she had been pressure washed and was getting the tunnel bands touched up while we were there.

We headed over to Stoke on Trent for the Etruria Canal Festival. As we passed the Calor Gas Centre I noticed these pictures etched into the dust on some large gas tanks. Not a bad job!

Sunday (today), I sent Rachael off on a Virgin Train up to Scotland a few days ahead of me. I plan to do a few bits and pieces on Serafina once she has been re-floated. I headed off over to Beeston Castle afterwards and spent the day watching re-enactments of the storming of the castle by the Walsh in the early 13th Century.