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Today's Canal : Llangollen

Only a short distance to go but, as we had a good boat clean to undertake, we were away by 10 am. By the time we arrived at the first of the two Swanley locks there was another boat waiting for the lock to fill with a boat already coming up.

When we were able to enter, a chap with a dog was taking a keen interest and asked Christine to explain. He said that he had never been on a canal boat but has a hire booked for later in the season. Of course, she did not need a second temptation and went into full teacher mode! He was suitably grateful for all of the  detail and seemed to be that bit more comfortable about his own experience to come.

After going down the second Swanley lock we had a five minute cruise to the entrance to Swanley Bridge Marina. We pulled onto the outside service wharf (they also have one inside the marina but this was easier for us to use as we also wanted to empty two elsan cassettes at the same time a filling up the fuel tank. Christine went to the office to pay our dues and discovered that we were allocated exactly the same pontoon as we were on before the start of this trip.

After lunch we set about cleaning, sorting and packing what needed to go back home (not as much as some times). We had a provisional plan to do a larder stock shop later afternoon but by the time we had finished the housekeeping, we lacked the energy to go into Nantwich! In the event this simply means that we will have more to bring up with us in two weeks time when we start off on the next trip. We also decided to add an extra day to our stay here so that we do not have to rush away on the day we travel up - Mike has an appointment in the morning and it will be quite late in the day before we would be ready to leave. However, this does mean that we could do an extra shop from Nantwich that evening if we find ourselves missing something! It happens . . .

All this meant that we were able to get away on the journey back home by 11 am, not too rushed. The traffic was not as busy as we had expected at this time of year. Just after leaving the marina we found ourselves, following the SatNat instructions not on our usual route around Nantwich and Shavington. Initially we thought that we must have made a mistake and we had an 'interesting' excursion around  the outskirts of Crewe. At the end of this diversion we spotted that the road we would normally have been on was closed for road works.

We tried a new stopover to recharge the car (might not have been strictly necessary but if we have the time we now feel the benefit of taking a break) We had found a good charging station (12 outlets) at a Pick Your Own and destination farm close to the A417 and A46 intersection. The charging was fine but the cafe facilities were a bit overwhelmed - they had had a large coach party. The toilet facilities were not great. However, we enjoyed a latte in the sunshine. We were home mid afternoon.

Miles - 2 Locks

Baddiley

Today's Canal : Llangollen

Having caught up with our sort-of schedule, we aimed to stop just short of Swanley Bridge Marina by lunch time, leaving this afternoon to do a few items of maintenance and housework. The main clean through will come tomorrow once we are tucked up on a pontoon.

We set off at much our usual time - by now the light drizzle which was falling as we awoke had now faded away but there was on;y a little remission from the general overcast sky. However, it was not chilly even with a moderate breeze.

This photo shows about the right representation of proportions of cloud to blue sky.

Marbury Lock is isolated in many ways - it is some distance from other locks as well as from the tiny village itself. A professional photographer lives here with two small children, A sign says that their eggs for sale were 'laid today'.

Well, we did malign the weather - just for a short time as we passed Thomason's Winding Hole, there was a good deal more blue\Mind you, another pic that we took at the same place but looking to the left was rather different!

The lift bridge at the small garden centre just before Wrenbury is marked on our more recent map/guide as Normally Open but when we started out - as with two years ago - it was down as we had to wind it open. Today we had a bonus as it had been left up - however the centre did not seem open at this time as perhaps it is left like this out of hours for security. There does not appear to be a right of way across it.

It is not then far to the main Wrenbury Lift Bridge. an altogether different affair. The road carries quite a lot of traffic with a good proportion of heavy goods vehicles of all sorts. Fortunately it has been mechanised for many years even though i has a reputation for being unreliable. At first we thought that it was living up to this reputation as Christine could not make the Key of Power turn in the lock. Eventually, after taking it out and trying again it begrudgingly allowed us to pass through.

Wrenbury Church Bridge is yet another lift bridge and this time we did have to wind it up. Another boat came the opposite way so it was their turn fro a free bonus. But that is the last for this trip - they are a special feature of the Llangollen - some designed by Thomas Telford himself.

We are not sure why this footbridge is so different in style from most other bridges on  this canal. It does, however, carry a right of way over the canal, leading to and from Wrenbury Hall and Farm not far away.

And finally for today, the three Baddiley Locks. After a quiet morning so far traffic-wise, there was a a steady flow in both directions here so usually some extra extra help with paddles and gates.

One of the locks - we forget which, but probably the middle one - was a  bit slow: the towpath top paddle seemed to be blocked, it was easy to left and then nothing came through so wd e were dependent only on the other paddle to fill the lock. In addition, the bottom gates were leaking rather a lot and at one stage it seemed as if the level would remain a few inches below opening. The sudden arrival of the flow from the lock above made it even worse but after a few more minutes and still not completely full, with the help of a crew member from the next upcoming boat, the gate yielded to our remonstrations and allowed us to continue.

We moored at the next Visitor Mooring, shortly before the top Swanley Lock, with the marina not far beyond.

After lunch the bed linen needed a change (more cumbersome chore on a boat than at home because three sides are against walls), a start made on cleaning, and Mike tackled two maintenance items. The first was easy: the rubber rim around the windows was left by the painters deliberately long with a short amount dangling free. This allows for shrinkage and can be cut to size later. However, in many places on this canal, as with others, the vegetation is not always kept clear and it is inevitable that it brushes against the side of the boat. This has pulled at some of the trims - the ones on the port side were pushed back last night and the other side could be done now as the towpath had meanwhile swapped sides.

We also wanted to sand down and re-wax the wood surrounds to each window, especially at the bottom where condensation sometimes collects. The plywood wall alongside the sink, where we hang some utensils, also showed the effects of not always fully drying them fist (LTRU!) That was also sanded and re-coated. We may find time to go over all of them again tomorrow to ensure a proper coating, but it will not need the same degree of preparation.

6.2 Miles - 4 Locks

Quoisley Bridge

Today's canal : Llangollen

After the extended day yesterday, we had now caught up on our schedule for our booked mooring back at Swanley Bridge once again. As a result we had only a short cruise, starting late and finishing for lunch time.

The forecast had been a bit mixed and disappointing but, although very grey skies the temperature was much warmer than anticipated and the rain held off. Only a few photos today as the light was unhelpful and the scenery, whilst pleasant, held few surprises. Also, the three locks we worked were busy with queues at each of them, in both directions and so not so easy. OK, if we had been more determined perhaps, but boat crews were keen to 'assist' us out of the way!

We have noticed that on this cruise a good number of the hirers are from overseas. At one lock we had Swedish going up and Norwegian going down - they waved their respective flags at each other - a friendly warning?

After setting off, we could see on a hill in the distance just a glimpse of Hinton Hall, but by the time the camera was pointing in the right direction it hid itself in the large covert. This large country house was built in the 19C but has stood empty for many years, gradually decaying, despite its listed building status. Plans were submitted earlier this year for its conversion to a 43 bed nursing home together with a separate dementia unit in the grounds. The application has been rejected as the conservation advisers to the council do not believe that the plans make the best use of what remains of the heritage structure.

The first lock today was Povey's Lock. All of the locks from here on down have fast running bywashes which can catch the inexperienced steerer especially as they aim to enter from below.

After descending Willeymoor (bit too early for many lunch customers) and then Quiosley Lock we took the second of three Visitor Moorings between here and Marbury Lock, Turned out to be a good choice -we had at least one mobile signal and it was very pleasant and peaceful. A steady stream of boats passed in both directions.

3.2 Miles - 3 Locks

Grindley Brook

Today's Canal : Llangollen

Our target today was to reach a mooring just above Grindley Brook staircase, in the hope that we could make an early enough getaway tomorrow to avoid any lengthy queue - this is the first weekend of school holidays and delays can be expected.

The forecast was for the morning to be dry, quite warm but largely overcast. This was certainly the case as we cast off from our overnight mere-side mooring. 

Ahead lay a lengthy level stretch, only interrupted by the occasional lift bridge. After two hours we reached Whixall Junction where the short Prees Branch departs. Less than half of its original length remains navigable but there is a marina at the current end. The dominant building overlooking the junction was built around 1800 to house a toll keeper. It is rather isolated and access is via a long track.

Just after the junction came the first of today's lift bridges - Morris's. We struck lucky as we could see another boat advancing down the long straight and appeared to be arriving at about the same time as ourselves. We had to pass a line of moored boats so we did so extremely cautiously, with the result that the day boat had off loaded crew just before we reached the bridge landing. One of the men was clearly keen to show his physical skills and lifted the bridge in record time. We were waved through - a bonus.

We stopped for lunch just ahead of Tilstock Lift Bridge and again were fortunate that another boat arrived at much the same time. On this occasion we shared the work of raising and lowering. It was the lady's 50th birthday treat and the party were having a fine time!

The bridge is on a bend and neither boat spotted that yet another boat was just coming around the corner but by that time the bridge was all but down. However,  we think that they were a bit miffed and they certainly came through in short order and were rapidly gaining on us. We looked for a stretch where is would be safe to invite them to pass (not too far ahead of the next lift bridge?) but suddenly we looked around and they had disappeared into thin air! With rain imminent perhaps they opted to moor up.

However at the next bridge we had to approach slowly, passing a line of moored boats and a couple of others coming towards us. By the time we arrived, yet another boat had lifted it again and waved us through. Bonus day indeed.

Next came the ABC hire base at Whitchurch - seven boats looked as if they were being loaded up with eagerly awaiting crews.

Our last lift bridge for the day was just after the entrance to Whitchurch Arm. A family with two young children were taking a look around and the small boy was very keen to show that he could wind it up on his own! (Well, part of the way!) he found it much easier lowering it. Mum was impressed but not so sure about Dad and little sister . . .

Only a short run now to Grindley Brook. A short distance to go, as we passed the last 'country' mooring option, a boat coming from the locks firmly asserted that there was plenty of room to moor above the locks.  This bridge was meant to be our last (of many) for the day but we had been woefully misled. Actually, we suspect that the boater that gave us the information did not realise that the long empty space is a series of water points! We found one gap but it proved to be less than half a metre too short so we had little choice but to go down the looks and find a mooring the other side.

Fortunately the 'third' boat was just coming up the top lock and crew from those following and waiting at the bottom understood the protocol, so we were not much delayed and had help through the staircase - the volunteer had gone off duty about an hour earlier it seems.

Only the three single locks to go - slight delay as an oncoming boat spoilt the regular taking turns(and thus not wasting water). They then had to wait in the next pound as long as if they had allowed us into the lock which had just been filled!

All of this unanticipated activity made us forget to take and photos of the locks at all. So please feel free to use your imagination to the full.

Around the corner we squeezed into the last space on the Visitor Mooring - although there was probably a good country mooring just ahead if we had needed it. Mobile signal seems not too bad either.

13.2 Miles - 6 Locks 

Blake Mere

Today's canals: Montgomery, Llangollen

We were up and away at the incredibly early hour of 8.30. When we booked for the return passage through Frankton Locks back last Sunday, we were the fifth boat to book and so we guessed that there might be even more by now. We had to moor last night on the towpath, with pins, as the visitor moorings were all full, with one more on the services point. We did not want to wait an hour below the locks when they open at 9 if all of them moved off first. So we made sure we were head of the queue!

Our wait was broken up by chatting to two grass strimmer chaps, whom we had spotted yesterday at Aston Locks. It seems that they have 8 days to do the whole towpath right down to Newtown.

Right on time the lock keeper came down from the hut at the top and unlocked the bottom gate paddle. We had already brought the boat in as the lock is left empty overnight.

Near the top, we spotted a decorative planter full with seasonal flower plants. In 'the olden days' when lock keepers lived in an adjacent cottage, they would have had time to tend their patch - some canal companies even ran competitions for the Best Kept Lock. Today, sadly, this is much rarer,

The top two locks form a staircase and as a boat had just started down, we had to wait in the previous lock until they had come through. Time to admire more of the flowers.

The lock keeper concentrates on the staircase, generally leaving boaters to fend for themselves in the two single locks. Staircases are not really difficult but can be daunting to someone encountering one for the first time. As we chatted he asked if we know about the Charles and Diana Brick. He then offered to take a photo for us - the commemorative brick is set just down from the coping stones on the lock wall. Taking a photo does mean getting down really low and it is  better if you know where it is! Wonder if the King remembers it or perhaps one of his days he might wish to forget . . . ? However, he is said to be very interested in the canals.

After completing the top lock we bade farewell to the very friendly and chatty keeper and a really interesting canal. All the best to those focussed on maintaining what is in use and bringing the rest back into use.

Now back on the main Llangollen Canal - we came from the left in the photo and Llangollen itself is ahead. We now made for Ellesmere where we hoped to find a good enough signal for a Zoom meeting.

Winston Farm Lodges look a great place to stay - today may well be a turnaround but all three looked empty but the spa hot tubs were being cleaned! The farm al so grows Christmas trees and Pumpkins - three for £10 in October half term.

Arriving at Ellesmere we quickly turned up the arm towards the centre of the town, which is one long visitor mooring apart from a winding hole right at the end. We found a space just near the junction - right at the far end would have been better as it is right outside the entrance to tesco! On the other hand, despite being told by a chap on the next boat along that we would not get a signal strong enough for Zoom, this slot was just right!

We immediately set off into town to pick up items from our two favourite Ellesmere shops - a butcher and a deli. They did not disappoint! They are next door but one to each right in the centre of the photo. On the way back we picked up three heavier items rather than leave those til later.

Enough time for lunch before it was time for Christine to set up her kit for the meeting. Hey presto! It all worked and she was able to make decisions on Faculties, a bit like Listed Building Consents but for works on churches. Meanwhile, Mike walked back to tesco for the main shopping. He used the scan and shop device but at the checkout the system called for a random check. The second item came up as not scanned (Mike clearly remembers 'shooting' the goose fat but the system had forgotten. This meant that the slightly miffed assistant had to do a full check and Mike was ushered unceremoniously away to a special corner for naughts boys where the whole lot was emptied out and re-scanned. Nothing else was missed but, of course, it was the most expensive item in the bags!

Back at the boat it was not long before the Zoom meeting ended and we opted to move on a little further - we could have stayed and at least known that we would have been able to stream tv or Netflix, but ahead is a more scenic section.

We reversed back down the arm and turned to continue our journey, . . .

. . . fairly soon passing through the short Ellesmere Tunnel.

Alongside Blake Mere, close to where we moored on the way up, we were seduced by the scenery, the shady trees and a patch of sunshine!

4.3 Miles - 4 Locks

Frankton Locks

Today's Canal : Montgomery

We set off as usual just after 9.30 - we had already turned around when we arrived so we could today head straight away. It was a hot and sunny day. By mid afternoon, hazy clouds had arrived but it was otherwise very warm indeed, at least for those acclimatised to the recent chillier conditions!

We returned back along the new section that we cruised down yesterday - nothing different to report but we could take a more informed look at places we had researched after we arrived at Crickheath. However, the view of Morton Farm Bridge is too good not to include it again.

The one lift bridge that we had to work, at Gronwen, was as testing as ever, even if counting the turns revealed that it was still a quite standard amount! The real disappointment here was that, as with yesterday, we held up not a single vehicle even though it seems a non-trivial country road. Secretly, Mike was hoping that a delayed motorist might complain about how long it was taking to wind up the bridge, giving Mike the golden opportunity to invite them to come and help!

We stopped at Maesbury Marsh Wharf to fill with water and to empty the elsan. No rubbish here.

The building alongside Maesbury Marsh Bridge is now the Navigation Inn. From the road, it is sad to see that both of the entrances into the pub are in a sorry state but a notice explained that a trailer had become detached from its tractor whilst coming over the hump backed bridge (too fast?) and had crashed into the pub. It is taking a long time to get sorted, the notice explains. (Insurance companies?) Alas we forgot to take a picture of the damage.

It was an hour slow cruise to the three locks at Aston. Since we knew that a boat had gone ahead o us it was no surprise that we had to empty the first lock. At the next lock a boat arrived to take over so that we did not have to close up after leaving. The puzzle was why the third lock was completely full - we thought that the preceding boat was further ahead since we had a stop and had not seen it along any of the straight sections.

Back under the bypass bridge, followed by Queens Head Wharf. Here the speed limit changes from 2 mph (from the limit of navigation) to 3 mph but strangely our speed rarely reached even 2.

So it was a long slow, almost steamy, cruise with some lengthy straight sections around a mile each.

We managed a slightly better picture of the curved turnover bridge at Heath Houses but, as can be seen, from the boat the old warehouse to the left makes it impossible to capture all of its glory (might do better from the towpath?)

A couple of years ago we noted that several trees had recently fallen, fortunately away from the canal, but had pulled up huge root plates, exposing the underneath for the world to see. Now, we noted how each of these, far from dying in the process, had sprouted vigorous new growth, eager to replaces the old.

We stopped for lunch on the bollards at Perry Aqueduct to have a welcome - late - lunch break before completing the run to the junction below Frankton Locks. We have to wait here until the morning when we are booked to go back onto the Llangollen main line. 

But first, the small matter of passing through Graham Palmer Lock again. With a small rise this was relatively easy to operate. To be fair, all four after Frankton have been in better condition than many. Graham Palmer top gate was made at Northwich in 1996 so coming towards the end of its normal life expectancy with no obvious rotting timber.

Knowing that there were at least five boats booked for tomorrow (unless one before us has cancelled) it was now quite probable that the others were already at the moorings leaving no room for us (allowing for one or two longer stayers here that we saw yesterday) Indeed that proved to be the case and we had to take up a space on the towpath side with no alternative but to get out the hammer and pins. KIt is now some time since we have had to resort to this form of mooring (at one time quite common for us but these days we try to plan otherwise, not being so pressed to keep to a schedule) At least we nabbed a straight piece of concrete as most of the rest is on a long curve. No mobile however, but that was not a surprise. Finding one tomorrow afternoon is more important (for Christine's Zoom meeting) but no less a challenge around Ellesmere.

8.1 Miles - 4 Locks

Crickheath

Today's Canal : Montgomery

The weather took a complete change today and we awoke to brilliant sunny conditions. Some pictures to capture the moment. Time for lighter clothes! 

We set off in good time, planning to make the end of the canal by lunch time and then in the afternoon to come some of the way back to where we began the day.

We started under two large bridges, the first is the old A5 and the second carries the new by pass.

Despite having to cruise at no more then 2 mph, sometimes even less, in no time at all we were at the top of the three lock Aston flight. No idea why there is a car parked precariously lock side!

The first two locks were full as a boat had very recently come up but the third needed a little filling before we could enter. Even so, we were through all three locks within half an hour.

The next section was a very gentle cruise - we met only one boat in this time - but very relaxing. Eventually we arrived at Crofts Mill Lift Bridge - a standard 57 turns up and 29 down.

In the past we have been tempted to leave the bridge open as we had to turn just ahead at Gronwen Wharf and come back again, no mooring the other side of the bridge (in fact we always closed it but that was hard work) But the next mile and a quarter to Crickheath was opened last year and so we were able to cruise a new-to-us section of canal for the first time.

Morton Farm Lift Lift Bridge is thankfully normally left open so we sailed through! (Well, we would have if we had had any and a mast to carry them!)

In the distance we spotted a large industrial building, quite out of character from its surroundings.

The building then disappeared from view, hidden by dense trees and vegetation, with but one glimpse through a gap.

The site has two businesses - the large building is an animal feed processing plant, powered in part by a large solar farm next door. Also here is the UK's largest independent supplier of pullets to farms large and small - their web site says that they have fulfilled order between 6 and 200,000!

Just ahead another, quite separate, solar farm is just starting constriction on what, we have been told is low grade marshy ground, so not taking away good agricultural land. Or so they say.

And then we arrived at Crickheath where, for now, the navigation comes to an abrupt and unceremonious end, with a temporary dam underneath the bridge.

When we had moored we discovered that, unlike Queens Head, there was an excellent mobile signal. It did not take to change plans so that we would stay here for lunch, walk down the next section under restoration and then stay the night. We have plenty of time - at least in theory - to get back to Frankton tomorrow, in time for our booking up the locks the following morning.

The next phase of restoration, which started in the spring of this year, is making good progress with effort focussed on monthly weekend working parties and intermediate contributions from other volunteers.

Phase 1a is from Crickheath to a farm crossing beyond what was once Crickheath Wharf. A tramway once ran from a quarry at Lynclyst to bring limestone to be loaded on to boats for distribution is the area. We understand that one part of the canal was funded by the landowners on the basis that their return was from better crops rather than a shareholder dividend. The wharf wall is being carefully restored using as much of the old stone as possible. Only a few coping stones to go. Most of this phase will not need to be lines, only a few metres at the far end.

Phase 1b follows after a farm crossing. We have been told that there was no bridge here originally but when the canal closed the farmer filled in and has been driving his tractors across ever since, this gaining access rights. As yet a plan for a replacement  bridge is still to be finalised but agreement is close. It is hoped that construction will commence next year. 

From here to Schoolhouse Bridge the canal will new lining and most of that work is now complete. It is, in part, a pilot project for the technique to be used in later sections. In particular, the two rows of hollow blocks on the top of the offside bank are an innovation to encourage the growth of vegetation. Apart from that, it looks very similar to what we have seen being constructed on the Wendover arm.

Schoolhouse Bridge was long seen as a major hurdle, the last highway project in Shropshire (there are some more once the canal crosses into Wales) The original bridge here (presumably one of the old style humped back bridges) was removed and a level crossing constructed during the time the canal was closed. Although volunteers have completed some substantial engineering works on this restoration, this build was seen as a step too far and take too long and so professional contractors have been used to construct it. The bridge has had to be built to modern highway requirements not just as a farm accommodation bridge (such as  back at the farm crossing) The bridge was officially opened to traffic just last month.

Volunteers were at work, moving some of the remaining spoil heaps into their final places - much is going back to the local farmer who agreed to part of his land to be used as a temporary bypass for traffic whilst the new bridge was built. This piece of land will be used in the short term to signore blocks for the new lining.

We had a long chat to a chap we think was overseeing the volunteers and also a trustee on one or more of the charities involved and we learnt a lot about the work being undertaken.

Phase 2 is from here to the next winding hole, a couple of bridges further on. Much preparation has already been done but nature keeps intruding and light vegetation blocks the view. A good surface to the towpath has been installed about half way but for the moment all work on Phase 2 has come to a halt because a badger sett has been discovered. Investigations are in hand and agreements being sought to relocate the badger to a less intrusive new home. The latest progress can be seen here.

We then walked back to the boat - Christine need time to prepare for a Zoom meeting on Friday, sending in her contributions by email just in case we cannot fond a mobile signal at the right time - we suspect it may be problematic, based on experience on the way here. But at this point, it is great! Alas, by the time we had had our evening meal (cottage pie) and this blog written we lacked energy to work out what to watch . . .

4.2 Miles - 3 Locks