Looking back from Marbury footbridge
We headed off through the woods alongside the canal, Meg having a good look around for squirrels.
You can see why this area is so popular for dog walkers…
The track through the woods takes you to the edge of Budworth Mere.
Looking out over the mere.
The tower on the skyline to the right belongs to the impressive Great Budworth Church of St Mary's and All Saints.
Great Budworth across the mere.
The church dates from the 14c, with improvements in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Marbury Country Park used to be the estate and grounds of Marbury Hall. The hall itself was demolished in 1968, but the grounds have been taken over by the local authority and are open to the public.
There had been several houses on the site, the earliest dating from the 13c. The latest incarnation dated from the early 18c, and was the family seat of the Marbury, Barry and Smith-Barry families until it was sold to be used as a country club in 1932.
During WWII it was requisitioned by the War Department and became a POW camp. ICI then bought it and used it as dormitory accommodation for Polish workers, until it deteriorated.
Marbury Hall circa 1898
Picture from England’s Lost Country Houses - http://lh.matthewbeckett.com/houses/lh_cheshire_marburyhall_info_gallery.htmlA stone platform with steps leading up are all that remains of the hall…
Out of the woods, onto the parkland around the hall.
A stroll across open pasture, vacant at the moment, takes us back to Marbury Lane Bridge.
Cattle will often be grazing here later in the year.
Last chance to find a squirrel before we get back to the boat.
We pulled pins at around 11:00, with no particular rush as we weren’t going so far.
Lots of lambs in the fields….
You’d have thought that the farmer would have removed the corpse from the hedge behind, though.
Around the right hand bend at Wincham Turn.
The house has no road access, and, I’m told, the short tug-style narrowboat Almond was built with an oil tank under the foredeck, to supply the central heating boiler in the property. What a good idea.
Unusual design, NB Yolanda near Orchard Marina.
Sign-written on the cabin side – “Mercedes-Benz CDi 85hp” With that size of engine she should be good for towing skiers!The new marina just further along is slowly taking shape.
Half a bridge to nowhere….
…..and a glimpse of mooring pontoons taking shape in the basin.
We pulled in at south flash, and, after lunch, I set to and sliced up the wood we’ve foraged recently. Hopefully, this will be the last lot this winter.
On our last
Locks 0, miles 4½
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