Today's Canals: Llangollen and Montgomery
There had been plenty of rain overnight but by the time we were ready to set off it had reduced to a light drizzle.
By the time we had come under the last bridge before the junction (we had been moored in the far distance of this photo) it was almost dry and there was no recurrence of the rain thereafter.
As we turned down the Montgomery to Frankton Locks we could see the permanent lock keeper awaiting us with the top part of the staircase ready and waiting. As he began lowering us we noticed that he had left a top paddle up but told us that this was because the lock is very leaky and unless the top lock is really full, then there is not enough to get us into the second part of the staircase.
As soon as we were into the next lock and dropping down we could see really clearly the scale of the problem and we kept well clear! Since there is always a lock keeper here to shepherd boats through (all pre booked and in a 9 - 12 time window) fixing the problem is not as high a priority as it might be elsewhere with more boats passing daily,
A volunteer was covering the next two single locks, all part of the same flight, but he was also helping a boat come up so Christine had some work to do. She was rather concerned that the locks felt very slippery with all the rain water still standing around.
Even so, we were through the bottom lock half an hour after starting the first.
After a very short distance we arrived at the former junction of an arm that went a couple of miles but is now only about 300m coming to an abrupt end at the service block and an impasse of reeds. There is water a little further but the latter part is now dry.
We completed a full service - one of the strongest water tap flows we have encountered on a navigation! We then had to reverse back to the junction and turn before continuing on our way.
Not far before Graham Palmer Lock, named after the founder of the Waterways Recovery Group, the best known restoration volunteer group who have done, and still are doing, much of the work to bring this canal back to life.
This lock only has a small rise and fall and was not part of the original canal. It was added subsidence a little further on.
The restoration of a rural canal that been allowed to run wild often involves compromises between the needs of boaters and the environmental lobby, concerned to protect an unusual species of plants or wildlife that has established itself since closure. At times, the towpath is barely visible and the only walked we spotted was obviously having to force his way through the undergrowth. Much like many other canals in the days when we first started boating!
After some long straight sections we passed under a railway bridge that carries the line that passes over the Chirk Viaduct we saw earlier in this trip. It is not a busy line!
Another straight section with impressive greenery - from here on there are several places where the offside has been strengthened in a way that still allows certain species to survive as boats wash water into the small lagoons.
Approaching Queens Head, a small hamlet on the A5, we could see a boat moored in the distance. Mooring spots are few and sometimes far between and two years ago we found that this mooring can be very popular. Would we get in? As we closed in we could see that only one boat was moored and so there was plenty of room. That boat was only stopping here for lunch and then moved on but a GRP cruiser arrived later and also moored up. We opted to have a short cruising day today - we have until Thursday evening to return close to Frankton. It can be done in two days if needed but we felt it better to take a bit more time over it, especially as we hope to experience the next mile and a half that was competed and opened in 2023, after our last visit.
The mooring is at a former wharf and the main building has been converted into a water activity centre but was not in operation today. Inexperienced but enthusiastic canoeists can be an additional obstacle here at times!
So far the day had remained dry and quite warm but overcast with the occasional dark cloud threatening to spoil things, yet failing to do so. Late afternoon we did have a brilliant sunny and even hot spell. Think what might have been on other days . . .
4.2 Miles - 5 Locks
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