... the Llangollen & Montgomery Canals ..... definitely a 'must do' at least once.
The scenery is almost exclusively lovely countryside, there are lots of interesting places to stop and explore, quaint market towns and very pretty villages.
In my opinion it's not a cruise for the faint hearted being a very narrow canal with lots of blind bends especially under bridges - in fact I can't think of a worse nightmare than the Llangollen in peak season! Having said that, we felt the Llangollen Canal is an ideal winter cruise as the flow from the River Dee up at Horseshoe Falls helps to prevent the water from freezing, there are loads of excellent SUCS moorings, all empty at this time of year and enough supermarkets to stock the cupboards to keep you from going hungry!
The Montgomery Canal was just as good in a different way, not so structured but beautifully peaceful as BW limit the number of visitors to the canal. Again there are plenty of good places to stop and explore and if you can, visit the Navigation Inn at Maesbury Marsh - good food and a great welcome, dogs and muddy boots included.
We've spent 6 weeks and 2 days cruising these canals and could have easily spent longer here. We can honestly say that there has not been a single day or place that we have not enjoyed, especially since we've managed to avoid the excesses of weather that have been experienced elsewhere - lucky us!
Today we left the Llangollen ...
A lovely barley twist chimney near the village of Burland ...
... and bridge 5 - a sorry sight, it's been like this for ages; there's even grass growing through the pile of bricks!
A Kestrel looking for his dinner ...
... did he see it, or did I spook him?
Bache House, across Bachehouse Pool near Bachehouse Bridge (No 3)
Looking through the top lock at Hurleston at Geoff and Ann still at the water point as Rock n Roll descends the lock
I've often taken pictures of this not knowing quite what is was all about - now I do know as we were coming down Hurleston Locks I saw that it was Car Transplants - 40 odd years ago when our only cars were 'bangers' my hubby George spent a lot of time here replacing bits and pieces!
I'm now in the 3rd lock down and there's M2L in the top one ...
... very leaky gates here too ...
... and that's us Rock n Roll down the flight off the Llangollen and onto the Shropshire Union Canal ...
... we've turned left towards Barbridge Junction and have feelings of agoraphobia, the canal is so wide!
The Olde Barbridge Inn ...
... and Barbridge Junction - we go right here and we're now on the Middlewich Canal
What a meany!
BW and contractors looking at Rutters Bridge (2)
I asked him if it was 'bad' and he said it's worse than they thought ... oh dear ...
... looks as if they may be planning to go into the water too.
Cholmondeston Lock is deep (11' 3") as well as leaky ...
... and here's M2L exiting the lock
Passing Venitian Marina ...
... it appears there's been a problem with the A5 bridge structure as it's recently been strengthened.
Minshall Lock - the last for today ...
... is even more leaky and 11' deep ...
... approaching Aqueduct Marina and ...
... the convoy's mooring spot for tonight ...
... and the sun has got his hat on now ...
... and the whole area is lit up!
Off for our pack walk - over the River Weaver Aqueduct ...
... we see hoards of starlings which swarmed from tree to tree...
... and a beautiful serene swan ...
... with his reflection in the still water
... and yet more reflections of 'oles within 'oles.
Time to walk home ...
... but not before we've brought this tree closer to the towpath ...
... with a piece of rope and brute force ...
... mission accomplished ...
... but more has been discovered and carried home.
You really can't have sunshine and a wide grassy towpath without a BBQ - can you?
Molly has a pigs ear instead!
And a lovely sunset too.
A real good day!!
A real good day!!
