Trevor, again

After a morning of wandering enjoying Llangollen and the River Dee it was time to do a bit of shopping. Llangollen is very 'touristy' but if you manage to look beyond that it is quite a nice place. At least it has managed to hang on to a few 'real' shops, very good butcher and greengrocer. Also an interesting deli. Not all boring shopping, nice new pair of earrings for me! After that it was time to start heading back to Trevor as our 48 hours was up.

Apart from having to go up to the basin to turn round the return journey was faster as the Llangollen Canal, being fed from the River Dee, has quite a fast flow on it. Apart from the minor interest of helping another boater who had run aground and nearly having a head on collision at a blind bend through a bridge we had a restful journey in watery sunshine. We were soon back at Trevor moored next to Kathy again.

We now have a quiet week of boring stuff like washing and maintenance before we head down the Montgomery Canal. We may head up to the Whitehouse Tunnel at the weekend.

Today's journey 4.7 miles


So far this year we have travelled 177.7 miles, 115 locks, 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels.


Since Ray retired we have travelled 916.1 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

The end of the canal

Yesterday we completed our journey to Llangollen. Kathy, Scott, Kaia and Sarah (friend who is staying with them) came with us and then returned by bus. The canal seems to cling to the side of the hill for most of the route and in places is too narrow for two boats to pass so you have to send someone ahead to make sure the way is clear. We moored just before Llangollen Wharf, where the horse drawn boats operate from.



Horse-drawn boat on the Llangollen Canal



 British Waterways charge for the moorings here, but you do get a free electric hook-up which saves on diesel for charging the batteries so some of the cost is offset. Most boats don't take advantage of this as the hire-boats aren't supplied with a land-line for power. the maximum stay is 48 hours so we parted with our cash to the nice BW man.



The last stretch of the canal, even the horse-drawn boats don't do this bit!



The canal continues past Llangollen to the Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee but you cannot take a private boat the last couple of miles, it is even narrower and more shallow than the stretch from Trevor to here. I don't think we would make it even if it was allowed. the horse-drawn boats manage it as far as the Chain Bridge Hotel because they have a shallower draught than powered boats.



The Chain Bridge across the River Dee



The end of the Llangollen Canal

We took a walk up to the Horseshoe Falls this morning, enjoying the sunshine and the fabulous countryside, then spent the afternoon just wandering before returning to the boat. We did wonder about getting the steam train back but they appear to only do a 'round trip' fare for the entire seven miles of the line which would have been a bit expensive for a 'one-way' two mile journey.





The Horseshoe Falls



Tomorrow we will probably do a bit more wandering before heading back to Trevor.



Yesterday's journey 4.5 miles

So far this year we have travelled 173 miles, 115 locks 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 911.4 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

Trevor

I am confused! At the southern end of Chirk aqueduct there is a sign that says 'Welcome to England', at the northern end there is a sign that says 'Welcome to Wales', so where are you as you cross the aqueduct?

Looking across the Chirk aqueduct towards the tunnel



The railway viaduct towering above the Chirk Aqueduct

 


 

After you cross the aqueduct you enter the Chirk tunnel, after that it is a relatively straight run up through the Whitehouse tunnel to Irish Bridge. the canal then turns westwards to run parallel to the River Dee in the valley below before it turns north again to cross the Dee on the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We moored before the aqueduct and walked into Trevor to meet up with Kathy as we weren't sure whether we would be able to moor near her. As she is moored at the end of the arm, so there is nowhere to go past her we were able to go back and fetch Morgan and Merlin and breast up next to Destiny.

Morgana crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct





The view down into the Dee Valley from the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct



We will probably be here at Trevor for a few days, then we will head up to Llangollen, do a bit of sightseeing, turn round and come back.

Today's journey 4.2 miles, 1 lift bridge and 2 tunnels

So far this year we have travelled 168.5 miles, 115 locks, 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 906.9 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels



Onward to Wales, almost

Today we continued our journey in the "glorious summer weather" to Chirk Bank. The Montgomery Canal branches off to the south at Frankton Junction, we intend to explore that later. we carried on heading west and north following the Llangollen up through New Marton locks, the last on the canal. Most of the traffic was in the opposite direction to us as the hire boats from Whitchurch and Wrenbury were heading back towards their bases. There were queues to come down through the locks but nothing else going our way.

Apart from a couple of showers, and some very gusty wind it was a good day cruising. This afternoon we actually had some sunshine as we moored up at Chirk Bank.

Tomorrow we have the prospect of two tunnels and two aqueducts before we reach Trevor and meet up with Kathy and Co.

Today's journey 8 miles and 2 locks


So far this year we have travelled 164.3 miles, 115 locks, 20 lift bridges and 1 tunnel


Since Ray retired we have travelled 902.7 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 26 tunnels.

Midsummer's Day

What a contrast to last year! I can remember being up on the Aire and Calder sitting up all night, with our bonfire, watching the glow from the sun move slowly across the horizon between sunset and sunrise. Not this year!

After a day yesterday doing the washing, today we moved on up to Ellesmere where we stopped to check out the local services. we didn't need much except for potatoes but it is always worth knowing what is available if you need it. Whilst checking out the town we got absolutely soaked, then it was back to the boat for a spot of lunch before we moved on, topping up with water on the way as our tank was severely depleted after the washing and a bath last night.

The sky continued to be black and threatening so we only moved a short distance out into the countryside before mooring up. Then the rain came down again, then a bit of sunshine then more rain. Any hope of an outdoor celebration of midsummer was out of the question so it was just a brief indoor event with lots of candles and a nice meal.

Today's journey 3.2 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 156.3 miles, 113 locks, 20 lift bridges and 1 tunnel


Since Ray retired we have travelled 894.7 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 26 tunnels

New territory

Yesterday we strolled into Whitchurch to top up our supplies, there is a butcher there who sells a really good white pudding. Unfortunately my cheap coffee supply at Lidl was closed for refurbishment, we still have a couple of jars so we aren't going to suffer caffeine withdrawal.

We are now travelling previously unexplored (by us) canal. We waited until after the hirers would have returned to base at Viking Afloat before we set off, we didn't want to get caught up with any "racing to get back on time" boats. Like most the days so far the weather looked as if it could do anything so we decided we would go as far as the weather let us without getting wet. As it turned out we could still be cruising now, we had a few black clouds, but no rain. A pleasant day's cruising, if a little chill considering it is June.

A lazy day drifting beside green fields and wooded banks, very calm and peaceful. No locks, just a few lift bridges so an easy day. We eventually moored beside Blake Mere, just short of Ellesmere. A very nice spot, overlooking the lake, the only disadvantage is that there are lots of trees which means not a lot of light on my solar panels. The lack of locks meant I had time to finish the cabin lace I have been working on for the engine room porthole. So I now have a brand new, pristine curtain on the window.

My new cabin lace curtain

Monday is washing day so we will stay here tomorrow, besides that it is rather a nice back garden!

Today's journey 11.2 miles and 5 lift bridges.

So far this year we have travelled 153.1 miles, 113 locks and 20 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 891.5 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Back at Whitchurch

The weather forecast for today was not very promising, it looked as if I would be very wet by the time we reached the top of Grindley Brook Locks. As it turned out the forecast was wrong, so unusual! It wasn't a nice day but it stayed dry all the way to Grindley Brook.  There were a few times when I thought our luck would desert us but despite delays due to heavy traffic on the canal the rain held off. Then we had a self impossed delay to top up with diesel from the garage at Grindley Brook, where they sell red diesel cheaper than the boatyards but you have to lug it to the boat in cans.

We got to the top of Grindley Brook locks with a slightly blocked weed filter and an engine threatening to overheat so we stopped to top up with water while the engine cooled and Ray cleared the weed filter. As the rain was just about holding off still, just a few spots we decided to carry on to the visitors moorings by the Whitchurch Arm. It is a nice spot there, about 20 minutes walk into the center of town but you can walk along the bit of  the arm that still exists and follow the old route of the canal most of the way to the town center.

Tomorrow is a no cruising day, time to shop and tidy up then Sunday will see us carrying on towards Ellesmere.

Today's journey 5.1 miles and 9 locks.

So far this year we have travelled 141.9 miles, 113 locks and 15 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 880.3 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 19 lift bridges and 25 tunnels