Towards Market Drayton

We have had better weather than expected, with only a few showers during the day, so today, Friday. we moved on to Audlem. 

A view towards Overwater marina (below Audlem) where nb ‘Barolo’, who beat us into second place at Crick!, now sits having some maintenance carried out.

We worked our way up the Audlem flight of locks (15 in all).  Here is a view of the pound between locks 12 and 13 outside the Shroppie Fly pub.  This is a modern reproduction of a traditional ‘butty’ (no engine). 

nb Chance and nb Niamh (opposite) moored at Audlem while we visited the Shroppie Fly for a pint.  Very hot and sunny.

A chance for a quick lie down – “they work me to the bone!”

We’ve come through the Adderley flight of 5 locks and found this delightful spot at bridge 66.  The water is deep enough to get into the bank here but a lot of the Shropshire Union canal is edged with concrete which carries on under water and, annoyingly, reduces the water depth.  It means you can’t always moor up where you’d like – it’s known as the ‘Shroppie Shelf’!  Weather not too good today but the evening has turned out well. 

Lyn and Chris enjoying the sunshine on their rear deck at bridge 66.  Good idea these cruiser sterns!

After a walk into Market Drayton for some provisions this morning and a pint in the pub at lunchtime, we have decided to stay put for the day.   Just as well as the rain hasn’t stopped since we returned to the boat!!!!  Tonight we are having a roast dinner on board nb Chance with Lyn and Chris.

Its been a busy few days!!

 

We left Wrenbury on Wednesday and headed down the Llangollen canal to Swanley Marina where we booked in for the night. It’s a very nice marina and at only £9 it gave us chance to catch up on the washing with the electric hook up and for James to do a bit of touching up of the paintwork.

In the evening we were joined on board by friends Lyn and Chris of nb Niamh (pronounced ‘neeve’)  for an impromptu dinner. We now plan to travel with them for the next few days as we head towards Wheaton Aston.

On Thursday morning we left Swanley (nb Niamh being followed by nb Chance) and headed off the Llangollen onto the Shropshire Union Canal before stopping for lunch at Nantwich.

We walked into the town to see the Flower festival in the church where they had over £7000 of flowers displayed.  The pictures don’t do it justice but some of the arrangements were amazing.

In the afternoon we carried on to Coole Pilate where we moored with nb Niamh for the evening and who should already be there but Lyn and Paul on nb Ellen of Melford!

Here we all are – it’s difficult to get 160 feet of narrow boat  into the same shot!

We had a BBQ on the bank with Lyn and Chris and later were joined by Lyn and Paul.  We sat out until 10pm as it was a lovely evening and a good time was had by all.

A lovely summer evening by the canal…..

Return to Wrenbury.

We left Ellesmere (Monday) and moored up in the Whitchurch Arm.  Not a lot happened on the way but we were held up for a few minutes when we got to Whitchurch due to collision between two boats.  After spending our time in Llangollen moored next to Paul & Lyn and and Sam & Chris on nb ‘Ellen of Melford’ ,  we seem to have bumped into them every day since.  Whitchurch was no exception!

Here they are next to us at Ellesmere.

A glimpse of “The Mere” just leaving Ellesmere

Leaving the Whitchurch Arm today we passed nb ‘Constance’  whose owner told us he followed our blog.  Thank you ‘Constance’ we hope we are still of some interest!

Grindley Brook locks were our main ‘highlight’ in today’s short run to Wrenbury.

A view of the inside of the top lock at Grindley Brook staircase on the way down.  A positive Niagara which we had to keep well away from!  Damage had been caused by a hire boat hitting it according to Gary the ever friendly lock keeper.

A moment to contemplate the exit of this lock at Grindley Brook.  The spill weir from the right hand side is fearsome and can easily push you into the boat waiting to come in.  A “cork out of a bottle” technique seems to work.

Moored up at Wrenbury.  Some boat maintenance and a walk into the delightful village took care of the afternoon.  A meal at the Cotton Arms in the evening was excellent as usual!

Llangollen To Ellesmere

We moored in Trevor on Saturday afternoon next to Lyn and Tony on nb Cheddington.  We were the only two boats moored in the Trevor Arm!

In the afternoon we took a circular walk over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct through the village of Froncysyllte and then back under the aqueduct.

After dinner (roast lamb) on our boat we spent the evening with Tony and Lyn sitting out on the deck of Nb Cheddington.  It was a lovely warm evening and we all sat out to nearly 10.30pm.  Hope to meet you both again soon.

Sunday 10th July

We set off on Sunday morning across the Pontcysyllte aqueduct.  Tremendous feeling entering with no other boats in sight.

Doug calmly at the helm 127 feet up in the air and 1000 feet of channel ahead.

James not so calmly at the helm!

After some heavy rain around lunchtime, we passed through Chirk tunnel and then Chirk Aqueduct. It’s an easier journey back as we’re going with the flow of water.

The rain just starting around mid day but we continued on to Ellesmere to meet up with Jan and George on nb Mr Bo jangles.  As we arrived the sun came out and we were welcomed by Jan and George with a bottle of champagne on the towpath!

nb Mr Bojangles with nb Chance moored behind.

We had a lovely cold buffet meal aboard nb Mr  Bojangles and a very relaxed evening was had by all.

 

Thank you Jan and George for a lovely warm welcome and hope to catch up again later in the week. “Mr Bojangles” is a beautiful boat inside and out (as we would expect from you both!)

Trevor to Ellesmere 15 miles and 2 locks

About to leave Llangollen

We have had a lovely 48 hours in the basin here at Llangollen. There were still plenty of empty moorings in the basin even though the town is busy with the eisteddfod this week.

The view from our mooring in Llangollen basin.

Vicki and Tom left us at lunch time yesterday, to go to Norwich to stay with friends for the night before collecting Ernie in the morning.

In the afternoon our friend Victoria arrived for the afternoon, we had lunch in the town followed by a walk to Horse Shoe falls.  It sounds very dramatic but, as you can see it’s not one of the wonders of the world.  This is where the water for the Llangollen canal is taken and eventually ends up as Chester’s drinking water.

Oscar thoroughly enjoyed the dip in the falls to cool him down.  He did very well to make the two mile walk each way even if it was at a snails’ pace!

In the evening we went into the town again and saw the enactment of Brief Encounter at the station.  We were too late to get onto the station platform to see it so we watched it from the road bridge.

After lunch today we will head back to Trevor for the evening, as you can only spend up to 48 hours on the moorings here.

We have arrived at Llangollen Basin

We have had a lovely week cruising with Vicki and Tom on the Llangollen Canal.  This morning we left our mooring just above New Marton Locks in a heavy shower.

Vicki and James outside in the rain (through the porthole in the rear door)!

Within 10 minutes of leaving the sun came out and we had a pleasant cruise to Chirk where we crossed the aqueduct.  A dramatic section next to the railway viaduct and a good practice run for the “real” thing a bit later on!

and then passed through the tunnel.  Not easy as the flow of the canal causes the boats to “crab” with resulting frequent contact with the wall.

Back into the daylight!

We continued on to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  We haven’t been here since 2008, when we were on our first narrow boat.  This was a first for “Chance”  As we crossed we chatted to a number of tourists who were walking across.  One couple, from New Zealand, stepped aboard to experience the frightful drop to the River Dee below!

After passing over the aqueduct, and through the junction at Trevor, we continued onto the basin at Llangollen.  We only stopped for one boat to pass out of the narrows – it was so quiet.

A lot of water coming out of the back with very little forward movement.

Waiting for the oncoming boat to clear the narrows and a chance to enjoy the wonderful scenery.

By 3pm, we arrived at Llangollen and moored in the basin.  We’re here for the next 48 hours (only £6 per night including electricity).

We walked into the town of Llangollen in the afternoon. It was sunny and warm so had an ice cream and a pint at the Bridge End Hotel where we returned to this evening for a meal.

Tomorrow Vicki and Tom leave us to travel on to Norwich to collect their new puppy. He’s called Ernie and is nearly 8 weeks old, he’s a “Beaffy” (Beagle and Staffy cross)

and doesn’t he look cute!  Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!