Heading for Chester

After our night in Ellesmere we moved up to Blake Mere again. I do like mooring there even though at least one hire boat per day manages to give us a nudge! It's a lovely spot and we get to see this lovely little steam launch.

We spent five days there which included a barbeque for Kathy's birthday. Yesterday we all moved down towards Whitchurch stopping for the night at Fenn's Bank, one of the few places where I get absolutely no internet signal. Kathy nearly ran down a couple of canoeists who though cutting across her bow as she came through a bridge was a good idea! Generally it was a fairly good journey.

Today we completed the last three miles to Whitchurch where we will spend the weekend before Kathy and the kids have to head back to Ellesmere as school starts on Wednesday and we head on towards Chester.

Since my last post we have travelled 12.4 miles, 4 lift bridges and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 558.9 miles, 453 locks, 49 swing bridges, 20 lift bridges and 24 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1804.7 miles 1539 locks, 105 swing bridges, 58 lift bridges and 64 tunnels

Back in Ellesmere

After a day off yesterday we made the journey to Ellesmere today. There was a queue at the locks with holidaymakers on their way back to Ellesmere and Whitcurch towards the end of their holiday.

Our journey was uneventful, a very peaceful trip.We had considered stopping off for shopping then heading to Blake Mere but while we were in Tesco the thunder started  to rumble so we decided to stay moored on the Ellesmere Arm until tomorrow. I had gone and seen Kathy at work to let her know we were back so she may call in for coffee if we are still up when she finishes work.It is Ellesmere Carnival tomorrow but the weather forecast is for heavy rain so we will probably give it a miss.

Today's journey 7 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 546.5 miles, 453 locks, 49 swing bridges, 16 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1792.3 miles 1539 locks, 105 swing bridges, 54 lift bridges and 63 tunnels

A short day's journey

I'm not at my best at the moment so we didn't travel very far today and will probably take a day off tomorrow.

After a lateish start we made our way back to the New Marton Locks but stopped before working down them. Even though there are only two locks I just wasn't in the mood. Maybe I need a holiday!

Today's journey 6.3 miles and 2 tunnels


So far this year we have travelled 539.5 miles, 451 locks, 49 swing bridges, 16 lift bridges and 23 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1785.3 miles 1537 locks, 105 swing bridges, 54 lift bridges and 63 tunnels

Heading back

We have spent a couple of days in Llangollen, taking advantage of the hook-up to mains electricity that is included in the mooring charge. Sometimes it is nice not to have to think about how much power we are using! Most the time I would rather be travelling and do without the electricity supply.

We spent our time during the day just wandering round, visiting the museum and generally relaxing. The weather has been reasonably kind to us, just a few showers. Although Llangollen is touristy it is relatively unspoilt, I just ignore the gift shops.

After taking full advantage of our 48 hours we headed back to Trevor, across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and moored for the night just beyond the Fron Lift bridge. The journey back was considerably quicker than the journey up and not just because we were travelling with the current.

Today's journey 5.5 miles and 1 lift bridge.

So far this year we have travelled 533.2 miles, 451 locks, 49 swing bridges, 16 lift bridges and 21 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1779 miles 1537 locks, 105 swing bridges, 54 lift bridges and 61 tunnels

Llangollen

Sunset last night above New Marton Locks

Today we made our way slowly up to Llangollen, slowly being the operative word.

Now Ray and I like to take our time, but we do like to make forward progress. We do appreciate that those new to boating can be a little apprehensive and that slow is definitely better than fast with a narrowboat on the canals.  As we crossed into Wales on the Chirk Aqueduct it started raining. By the time we had reached Chirk tunnel we were the third in a queue of four boats, all the others were hire boats that had been picked up yesterday afternoon. Our journey to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct took us about an hour longer than I anticipated but that wasn't a problem we had plenty of time. I realised that today was the first time I have been across the aqueduct on Morgana, on our previous visit I was official photographer.

The River Dee viewed from the Pontcysyllte  Aqueduct

Looking back across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

From Trevor to Llangollen the canal is very narrow, in places it is too narrow to pass another boat. It was on this stretch that we encountered a boat that was too slow even for us. I may have mentioned before that the Llangollen Canal is fed by a river, not by reservoirs as most canals are. This means that unlike most canals there is actually a flow on it. Now anyone who remembers their physics lessons will remember that when the channel that water is flowing through narrows the speed of the water increases, this is what happens at bridges. The boat in front was going so slowly that when we got to bridges Morgana was actually coming to a halt because the water flow downstream was as great as our attempted progress upstream. Anywhere else we would probably has moored and let them get ahead but there are very few places to moor on the four mile stretch between Trevor and Llangollen.

We eventually reached Llangollen at about four thirty, seven hours for a journey that I expected to take about five! I've paid for 48 hours mooring so we will enjoy a relaxed couple of days here before heading back to Ellesmere.

Today's journey 11.8 miles,  1 lift bridge and 2 tunnels


So far this year we have travelled 528.1 miles, 451 locks, 49 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 21 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1773.9 miles 1537 locks, 105 swing bridges, 53 lift bridges and 61 tunnels

Lazing around Blake Mere

Just in case anyone was wondering we haven't sunk or been abducted by aliens. We have been having a lazy week at Blake Mere, about a mile from Ellesmere, with Kathy and co.

We did travel about a mile after my last post to get from Cole Mere to Blake Mere but I didn't think it was worth blogging for that!


It has been a nice week but also a bit sad because Marly, the mother of our cats, went missing about two weeks ago. Then this week Albert, who was from the same litter as Lance and Gwyn was hit by a car and killed. We buried him in the woods by the mere. We have left Storm, the last of Nimue's litter, with Kathy to see if she will settle with their cats. She is very like Marly except that Marly didn't have any white on her. It would be nice if she finds a home with Kathy.

After a week of lazing around we set off late this morning for Llangollen, it will probably take us two or three days to get there and then the same on the way back. The journey today was fairly quiet, we managed to get past the hire base at Maestermyn before the new hirers set off and have moored just above the New Marton locks. We could have gone further but it is nice here with no roads so the cats can wander. If we time it right we should get past Trevor before the Sunday hirers are let loose tomorrow!

After a very overcast morning the clouds eventually cleared this afternoon and it has been absolutely baking.

When I look at how far we have already travelled this year it looks as if this will be our busiest cruising year so far.

Today's journey 8.5 miles, 2 locks and 1 tunnel.

So far this year we have travelled 570.3 miles, 451 locks, 49 swing bridges, 14 lift bridges and 19 tunnels


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1762.1 miles 1537 locks, 105 swing bridges, 52 lift bridges and 59 tunnels

Today was the sort of day that all days should be like when cruising the canals. The sun was shining, it was hot, but not too hot and it didn't rain. We drifted gently along between leafy banks, watching the butterflies, dragonflies and damsel flies. This cow obviously found the day a little warm and fancied a paddle.

It doesn't look as if it will be a very good foraging year, there isn't a lot of sign of fruit in the hedgerows, quite a lot of blackberries but they aren't ripe yet. We managed to pick up a couple of demijohns and some other wine making bits in a charity shop in Whitchurch but so far the only thing I have seen to make wine from is some rowan berries, the elderberries are still green.

We enjoyed our sunny cruise and moored near Cole Mere, about two miles from Ellesmere.

Today's journey 10.9 miles and 5 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 561.8 miles, 449 locks, 49 swing bridges, 14 lift bridges and 18 tunnels


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1753.6  miles 1535 locks, 105 swing bridges, 52 lift bridges and 58 tunnels

Another one down

We made the short journey from Willeymoor Lock to Whitchurch today. As usual we stopped at the garage at Grindley Brook for diesel, 78.9p per litre, 5p cheaper than the cheapest I have bought recently.

The canal seems a bit quiet considering the time of year, we were quickly up through the staircase locks at Grindley Brook and according to Gary, the lockie, the hire fleets have reduced their prices for late bookings because they have boats sitting in the boatyards, not something they can afford in high season.

We made our way to Whitchurch and moored on the 48hr moorings on the offside before the lift bridge.

Tomorrow will be a shopping day, then on towards Ellesmere on Wednesday.

I've just heard via the online canal forum that I belong to that a hire boat has sunk in the bottom lock of the Grindley Brook staircase! Another one down!

Today's journey 2.4 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 550.9 miles, 449 locks, 49 swing bridges, 9 lift bridges and 18 tunnels


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1752.4 miles 1535 locks, 105 swing bridges, 47 lift bridges and 58 tunnels

Thunder and lightning

We are moored between Willeymoor and Povey's Locks listening to the thunder rumble overhead and Andy Murray win Olympic gold at Wimbledon.

For once I didn't get rained on working through Baddiley locks, lots of boats on the move particularly Anglo Welsh heading back to Bunbury. Most were due back tomorrow but we did meet one who was due back for four o'clock today. As it was nearly midday and by my reckoning they had a five and a half hour journey I think they might be late back!

Either business isn't very good for Viking at Whitchurch or all their boats are heading for Llangollen as we haven't seen a single yellow peril yet on the Llan.

Nothing much else to write about so I shall carry on enjoying Great Britain's success at the Olympics, I think it's 2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze so far today.

Today's journey 7.1 miles, 6 locks and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 548.5 miles, 442 locks, 49 swing bridges, 9 lift bridges and 18 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1750.2 miles 1528 locks, 105 swing bridges, 47 lift bridges and 58 tunnels

At least it was warm rain!

We started out this morning hoping to get through Baddiley Locks but not everything went to plan. We were behind a fibreglass cruiser at the bottom of Hurleston. I asked them how wide they were and they had been told they were 6ft 10ins. ah should have been OK because that is the maximum width for Hurleston. Well, someone told them wrong because they couldn't get into the lock so they had to reverse back and cancel their plans to visit the Llangollen.

As we entered the lock there was a bit of a clatter from our prop and Ray knew he had got something stuck on it. We were able to get up through the lock but then had to moor in the pound between the locks for Ray to clear it. It transpired that it was one of those rubber pipe style fenders, someone obviously didn't take notice of the 'Please lift your fenders' sign, and no, it wasn't one of ours!

There was a lock keeper and a volunteer on the flight so once we were able to carry on we quickly got up to the top.  However I was thoroughly drenched by he time we reached the top as the heavens had opened and deposited huge amounts of wet stuff on my head. Pausing only to dump the rubbish and top up the water tank we carried on, thankfully the rain had stopped.

Without any problems we carried on through the two Swanley locks but as we exited the second I saw a flash of lightning. The sky was getting a bit black so we decided to moor at the first sensible spot. As we found a spot it started to rain and by the time we had moored Morgana and Merlin we were both soaked through, again!

Today's journey 4.2 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 541.4 miles, 436 locks, 49 swing bridges, 7 lift bridges and 18 tunnels


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1743.1 miles 1522 locks, 105 swing bridges, 45 lift bridges and 58 tunnels

Being boring!

The past couple of days have been fairly boring at far as our travelling is concerned. Mainly miserable weather so all we have done is travel and moor up. We did go shopping in Middlewich but that was only for necessities so that wasn't interesting either. At least there have been highs and lows at the Olymoics to get the adrenalin going or I mght have fallen asleep!

The only excitement on the canals recently has, thankfully, not affected us. There have been a spate of boat sinkings in locks over the past week or so, not an experience I would wish on anyone.

Progress has been a bit slow partly due to the amount of traffic there is on the canals at the moment and partly due to my lack of enthusiasm for cruising for too long on the grey days we have been experiencing. I need some sunshine to cheer me up!

Anyway just to update everyone, we are now at Hurleston Junction, ready to go up on to the Llangollen tomorrow.

Yesterday and today's journeys 12.8 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 537.2 miles, 430 locks, 49 swing bridges, 7 lift bridges and 18 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1738.9 miles 1516 locks, 105 swing bridges, 45 lift bridges and 58 tunnels

A golden day!

We travelled today with the radio perched on the rear hatch listening to the Olympic coverage from Eton Dorney. We cheered and punched the air when our girls got gold! We managed to moor in time to see Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome finish the time trial for gold and bronze.

Today was a day of lots of locks, thirteen in total so I'm feeling a bit tired. I've been very lazy with photos lately, the trouble is the weather has meant I'm reluctant to get my camera out. I must try and get some photos over the next few days, there are lots of flowers in bloom now even if the scenery is unexciting, pleasant but unexceptional.

I'm looking forward to a relaxed evening but as Ray wants to watch the GB men's football match that might not be possible!

Today's journey 6 miles and 13 locks

So far this year we have travelled 524.4 miles, 424 locks, 49 swing bridges, 7 lift bridges and 18 tunnels


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1726.1 miles 1510 locks, 105 swing bridges, 45 lift bridges and 58 tunnels