Oh what a wonderful morning ....

There was no internet signal on Thursday night so I was unable to publish a posting, so joy of joys, you've got a double helping today!!

... Oh what a beautiful day ...

... after rain and wind last night we woke to a much calmer day on Thursday at our mooring above Frankton Locks on the Montgomery Canal.
As I set off to walk a couple of miles it was 11 degrees at only 9 o'clock as I leave George readying RnR to set off and turn right back onto the Llangollen Canal

Crocuses on the towpath by a canal side property ...

... and views for mile around although those clouds look a bit threatening ..

... looking behind me though into the sunshine was a sight for sore eyes!

Peaceful, rural views abound, this one looking towards the village of Tetchill near bridge 64 Val Hill No.1 ...

... and daffodils in the garden of Canal Cottage

Here comes George to pick me and Molly up at White Mills Bridge (61) ...

... it's 10 o'clock, the sky is beautiful and it's now 13 degrees!

Guess where we are now?  Tesco's of course (Ellesmere)

Gazelle's flying in formation probably from RAF Shawbury
(1 o'clock now and a heady 17 degrees!)

Approaching Ellesmere Tunnel ...

... and passing Blake Mere ...

... and on the other side - Cole Mere (with snowdrops) ...

... and without, but with boats the distance.

Through Lyneal Lane bridge heading for Hampton Bank Bridge ...

... and Balmaha and that's Nessa waiting to say hello! She just text me to say that the kettle was on ... brilliant!

Views around the boats at 4:30pm ...

... after a chat and that welcome cuppa on NB Balmaha ...

... and again in the sunset ...

... and 10 minutes to 7pm

Our turn to host that evening when we did a lot of catching up and discussion of our planned summer cruises over a glass bottle or two of vino colapso! 

The last time we met was on the River Thames at Hampton Court in May 2011 - and here we are again at another 'Hampton' this time on the Llangollen Canal

Half past 7 the following morning and the sun is over the rise ...

... casting long shadows across the fields ...

... and turning the trees into gold - temperature already 11 degrees!

Nessa and Mo have left for Ellesmere and I'm off to walk a while; George unties ready for the off ...

... most of the newer bridges (and a few of the much older ones) on this canal have been lined with corrugated sheeting presumably to protect them from the summer mayhem boaters!

The sky is darkening as we head for the Prees Branch ...

I think that is Bettisfield Church I can see as I with for Rock n Roll to pick me up at Cornhill Bridge (47).
Just past here we felt a bit of wet in the wind so I fixed the back cover on 'just in case'.  We were glad of that because a few minutes later out of nowhere the heavens opened just in time for me to drop George off to do the lift bridges down the arm to Whixall Marina.  It continued to 'throw it down' whilst we filled and emptied the various tanks and had a quick bite to eat ... so no pictures for a couple of hours!

... and near bridge 39 that chair - it was there when we came down this way - very odd!

The sky brightens about 3pm - about an hour to go and 5 lift bridges before we reach our destination and regroup with the convoy at Grindley Brook (I'm at the helm, so again no piccies, sorry!).
So here we are back together again, drinks and nibble tonight on RnR to plan our next move!
Great Stuff!