Monday 20th July

A day off from boating as we took the train from Nantwich to Ellesmere Port to visit the National  Waterways Museum. The journey involved 4 trains and therefore 3 changes each way. You can sail to Ellesmere Port from Chester but I'd heard that the journey was not particularly pretty so we decided to go by train instead. We had never been to Crewe and it certainly is a big station. Although we were told 2 different platforms and times by different members of staff.

The area in Ellesmere Port where the museum is based is within 10 mins walk of the station. It is a huge site with many old working boats being restored when funds become available. It was a very busy commercial port right through the 19th Century and you can see all the buildings needed to supply the businesses such as stables, a blacksmiths, pumping station to work the hydraulic cranes etc.

One working boat was fitted out as it would have been with a family living on board. Such a small space to fit everything in.