Devon in a day?

Published a day late because of poor internet signal where we stopped for the night.

It was a bit like a scene from Dad's Army today (Tuesday) with the captain saying things not dissimilar to 'Stupid boy, Pike!' But more of that later.

We set off past the signpost to Llangollen to carry on towards Chester.

As we came near to Barbridge Junction we had to take a picture of this moored boat because this is the exact spot from where we collected Polgara 15 years ago. Wow, how time flies.

Approaching Bunbury Locks it is easily recognised by the, now familiar, stable block by the top lock.

There are two staircase locks at Bunbury and you have to take care to fill and empty them in the correct manner. Going down, as we were, the bottom lock has to be empty.

Safely into lock number 2, captain at the helm.

Looking back you can see the line of Anglo Welsh hire boats. They've been around for as long as we can remember.

Now all the locks are double locks from hereon. These round houses were built for the linesmen to store their tools. A form of man-shed. 

We are at the iron lock, so called because they had to use cast iron flanged plates to overcome running sand below it. 

I spy with my little eye - a café! Worth stopping as it's lunch time.

Moored opposite Chas Harden hire boats.

And here we are inside the café.

Lovely interior design and very good food.

The Lockgate Coffee House.

As we came out of the café I said to the captain 'Look, Tiverton, we're in Devon, that was quick!' She was not amused!

Dominating the canal is Beeston Castle. No time to visit today but we must stop sometime and walk up to have a look.

Our mooring for the night, Beeston Castle one side of the hedge and us on the other.