Saturday lunch in Nantwich

When we arrived yesterday the boater ahead got out of his boat and walked back to tell us he considered it too windy for him to cruise.  OK, the breeze was rustling the leaves.  But too windy to boat.  I think he likes his mooring on the embankment.  Today we have passing light showers so I guess it’s too wet to move!

Here we are on the embankment on the end of the 48 hour moorings just past the aqueduct.

The aqueduct is currently being renovated and the towpath has been closed.  Consequentially it’s a rather quiet spot.  Last time we were this way I photographed the aqueduct and mentioned the small shrubs growing out of the brickwork in the arch and abutments.  The roots were starting to cause cracks.  No doubt this will be rectified as part of the refurbishment.
This morning I gave the Refleks stove burning chamber a thorough clean using the circular wire brush on the end of the electric drill.  It probably didn’t need a clean but with the onset of colder weather it seemed an opportune time.  Meanwhile Jan started a load of laundry knowing we will be topping up the water tank tomorrow.  The inside of the saloon now looks like a Chinese laundry with all our smalls hanging from the rails under the gunwales.
We have an appointment above Hurleston Locks tomorrow so the weekly lunch was moved to today.  The chosen location was The Cheshire Cat on Welsh Row.  Jan chose the chicken and ham pie whilst I opted for the steak and ale.  Both pies were hand made and the meal was delicious.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to remind me how lucky she is to have such a considerate husband. 
The Cheshire Cat wasn’t always a pub. It started as a row of Almshouses for widows.  To quote wikipedia.
The almshouses were founded by Roger Wilbraham in 1676–7 in memory of his deceased wife in three existing cottages built in 1637; they were the earliest almshouses in the town for women. In 1705, Wilbraham also founded the Old Maids' Almshouse for two old maids in a separate building (now demolished) on Welsh Row. They remained in use as almshouses until the 1930s. The timber-framed Widows' Almshouses building, which is grade II listed.
We ate inside the glass conservatory which has been added to the rear.  From this position you can see the framework of the renovated rear wall.

I noted how the framework for the wattle & daub had been inserted into the lower half panelling of the upper floor.  You don’t see wattle & daub in NZ.
We wandered off to Aldi for a few essentials and then returned using a circular route which took us to one of the local butchers.  Along the way we passed Sweet Briar Hall on Hospital Street.

Nantwich has many of these Tudor style buildings and the only reason why I noticed this one was the plaque above the lower window.  It’s a mansion built for the Wilbraham family some time in the 15th century.  It’s the oldest building in the town that has not subsequently had brick infill to the panels. Hospital St used to be on the main London to Chester road so Sweet Briar Hall would have been well known back then. It’s Grade II listed. More information on wikipedia here.
This post is early because one of us will be writhing on the bed at 4pm playing the 16th man in the All Black team.

5.55pm   YES!   Final here we come..............