We are back at the boat and getting ready for our last trip of the year. Most of the drought closures are now being lifted so there are more options. Ideally we would go up the Macclesfield and Peak Forest, but Bosley Locks show no sign of opening. So we have two routes we are considering.

We could go North, up the Trent & Mersey, across the Middlewich and then up the Shroppie to Chester. We love Chester and haven’t visited for a couple of years. We usually moor in Telford Basin, overlooked by the city walls, and near the racecourse. And on the way we often moor near Beeston Castle with some of the best views from any canal. But much of the route is the same as we did at the start of the year. And some of the locks to Chester are very heavy for Autumn work.

Alternatively we could head South to Worcester. We haven’t been that way on the Staffs & Worcester for a while so it would make a nice change. There is also a chance that we could do a loop, travelling back through Birmingham.

So North or South? We could just toss a coin I guess. Either way would be lovely to it’s a nice choice to have. I’ll let you know next week.