Wednesday 29 February 2012

Summing up and leaving ....

... 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 ...
Ann and Geoff are setting the next lock for M2L ...
... 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!!

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Traffic jams and busier water ....

Grindley Brook early Monday morning - well about 9:15 (ish) anyway - Seyella and Moore 2 Life moved down to the water points - unfortunately out of 4 water stands each with 2 outlets only 3 outlets were available, so we were waiting at our mooring until they were finished.  Whilst we the took on water Jandai joined us and a hire boat went past us to take the next lock water and since Jandai filled their tank first they followed the hire boat down to the lock.
It was 11:15 before it was our turn! We weren't concerned at all, we have all the time in the world to get where ever we want to be!
Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.
The hire boat descends the lock and Jandai waits his turn ...
...meanwhile Molly takes a nap.
Grindley Brook Staircase Locks gates 1 and 2 are very leaky ...
... the top gate of the bottom lock though is not too bad.
The paddle gear at Grindley Brook Lock 5  is very different from ...
... the usual ones.
Approaching Lane Croft Wharf at the bottom of the lock flight ...
... and looking back at the wharf through beautifully built railway bridge
The lock side Willeymoor is getting a bit of a tidy-up
Quoisley Bridge - this is definitely where you will meet a boat coming the other way!
Lots of lovely countryside to see including swans grazing in the field.
Off now for a pack walk from our mooring spot below Marbury Lock ...
... we were going to cross the bridge to walk into the village ... but not this one!
 This morning (Tuesday) 9am George and I are walking into Marbury over the fields ...
 Combermere Park Obelisk a few fields away ...
 ... pretty cottages as we reach the village of Marbury ...
 ... The Swan has been the centre of the village since the 18th century ...
 ... this way to Whitchurch ...
... late 16th/early 17th century cottages
 The Outhouse (right) and the Swan on the crossroads - the plaques are Marbury's Best Kept Village Awards ..
 At the cross roads ...
 ... and to the Vicarage and the church ...
 ... which has interesting information on the cross members at the entrance
 St Michael's Church Marbury ...
 ... and the Big Mere ...
... there looks to be some really good walks around here ...
 ... and the church is open too ...
 The Belfry ...
 ... the tower is apparently 65' high, is 25"out of vertical, the bells were originally hung in 1789 and refurbished in 1928
 Nothing ever changes really does it?
 Looking to the Chancel ...
 ... and see beautifully made tapestry kneelers and signs of children being entertained during services
 The Pulpit and Chancel Screen ...
... I wish more churches had this sort of information available
 The carved oak roof replaced a plaster roof in 1891/92
 ... lovely carving on the cross beams
 Victorian stained glass
 Across the Mere
 Daffodils at the side of the road and in the pots on Rock n Roll's roof - lovely!
 Back at the canal the convoy is getting ready to go ...
... and a photo opportunity too! 
 The convoy continues towards Wrenbury ...
 ... the church and some very nice properties ...
 ... passing a long line of hire boats waiting for the season to start, and Ann who has operated Wrenbury Lift Bridge for us ..
 ... and then Geoff who wound up Wrenbury Church Lift Bridge for us ...
 ... and another impressive property as we leave Wrenbury.
Seyella and Moore 2 Life have stopped at Wrenbury to stock-up on provisions and we've carried on ...
 The first of today's locks - Baddiley No 3 ...
... and horses in cosy coats watching us at Swanley Lock 1 ...
Driftwood Narrowboats at Swanley Lock 2
 Seyella and M2L caught up with us at tonight's mooring near Swanley Marina ...
 ... where the young bullocks are very interested!
 George escorts her ladyship back to Seyella ...
... and then has a conversation with the bull!