Catching up Again

Friday 15^th January:

A cold start today, winter seems to be struggling to raise its head properly but a smattering of snow on the towpath and boat informed me that it was making an effort.

At 10am I decided to move on and having started the engine I then went back inside to put my body warmer and boots on,  by the time I had done that the rain had started to fall, not just rain but that horrible sloppy sleety rain, so I thought I’d review it in an hour or so. It kept stopping and starting again so I gave up, no point in moving if you don’t really need to (or want to), at 12 the sun broke out for a while but by 3pm it was horrid again.

Saturday 16^th:

If yesterday was cold this morning was freezing, literally

The ground, the boat, the ropes, everything, but I wanted to move and the forecast was bright with rain later in the afternoon, so at 10:30 I started the engine and began to sort myself out, it went downhill from this point onwards.

Firstly as I fitted the tiller in place (its brass so has to be taken inside to prevent theft) and swung it around to be central the rudder, once again, caught on my rear button, inspecting it I found my earlier alterations had not been tight enough and the outer button had slid down fouling on the rudder.  So I spent the next hour grunting and groaning trying to refit the shackles on the next link of the chain, freezing button, freezing chain, freezing fingers, but I prevailed, success, and hopefully it won’t slip down again.

So off I went, now about 11:45, the first lift bridge (31) just in front of my mooring was no problem.

Passing ABC boat hire they had kindly left me a couple of inches either side to pass their moored 3 abreast boats,

but as they were quite loosely moored they moved out as I passed so there was a slight amount of contact, maybe tie them a bit tighter lads!

The next lift bridge (33) was frozen to the ground plate and no amount of winding the handle would shift it, eventually I tried pushing and pulling the support chains, and jumping up and down on the bridge and suddenly it came free, exhausted and hot and bothered (I was wrapped up warm, 5 layers) I moved through and carried on.

The next lift bridge (34) was just ahead and after winding the windlass 20 or so turns I assumed it was the same problem and tried my chain and jumping technique, it made no difference, by now I was wondering why I had bothered to move on such a cold frosty day! Frustrated I decided to try my small jemmy and see if that would shift it but I did not hold out much hope, these bridges are heavy and my brain knew it would be fruitless, however as I was about to try I noticed a wodge of mud about 9” long between the bridge and the road, ah ha, problem found, the mud had frozen and was jamming the bridge, so big hammer and chisel, mud removed (eventually) and the bridge opened, another thing to store in the old problem solving for boaters memory.

Mostly farmland and not much too see apart from sheep and misty hills.

And this chap who looked warm if wet.

The next lift bridge was a small one and a chap was about to get into his car parked by the bridge when he called out to me, I thought he said he would open it for me so I held out my windlass for him and then he said, ‘No, I said don’t open it I want to drive across it!’ Oh well not everyone you meet is helpful J

The weather was getting worse and the rain started so I moored up just before Prees Junction, the branch was originally four miles long falling short of Prees by a couple of miles, but now only the first mile remains, I doubt I will bother to cruise it, there are two lift bridges and then a winding hole and  Whixall Marina at the far end, doesn’t look worth the effort but I might wander down there on my return journey.

Junction to the left, I'm heading right

Tonights mooring

Total Today: 5.5 miles : 5 Lift Bridges

Sunday 17^th:

With no internet and no phone signal I really wanted to move on again today, it was cold and damp, some snow flurries had fallen earlier but I thought I’d be ok.

So I set off around 11am, past the entrance to the Prees arm.

Not too far ahead you wander briefly into Wales, I was expecting a sign and there was a small wooden post which I never noticed in time to take a picture but it had ‘Wales’ written on it to confirm the change of country, I then stopped at Bettisfield to take on some Welsh water and give them some English rubbish, and then another ¼ mile or so ahead and you are back in England (Shropshire).

The journey was mostly tree lined farmland with lots of Mere’s as you approach Ellesmere, I think this one was Cole Mere, a nice spot for the owner of the house.

And this thatched cottage had a great view across the mere as well, shame about the mole problem.

This one is Cole Mere, plenty of lovely moorings all the way along it, ideal for a summers day walk with the dog and a lunch break, but not very nice today, muddy, cold and damp, I don’t have a dog and wasn’t hungry enough so I carried on.

Not long after Cole Mere comes Ellesmere tunnel, only 87yards long and single working (one boat wide) but the view through is obscured

A bit blurry

so you are warned to check before entering it, as I hadn’t passed any boats on the move today I chanced heading straight in and was relieved to find it clear.

Not a lot of spare room, obviously the entrance has been bashed a few times

Nice rolling hillside

Entrance to Blackwater Meadow Marina

Shortly after the tunnel you arrive at the Junction to the Ellesmere basin, Llangollen left, basin more or less straight on, and this is where I went.

It was busy and I was following a boat who had turned into the basin ahead of me from the Llangollen direction, it didn’t look like I’d be lucky to find a mooring but as we reached the end and they began to wind I could see there was room for two more boats, so while they were winding I nipped into the first space and they took the final one.

 I am moored behind a boat that was moored with me at Gnosall and we had a quick chat while I was sorting things out.

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 7miles : 1 Tunnel

Tuesday 19^th

Once I got myself sorted at Ellesmere I was disappointed to find once again no internet, phone was reasonable but couldn’t use that for internet either. I stayed put Monday and wandered into town to use the launderette, I recognised the pub hotel I had stayed here in on one of my motorcycling holidays a number of years ago.
Tesco has a large store at the end of the arm so with only 100yards to walk I took advantage and loaded up a bit with non-perishables (read beer and wine here).

This morning was a lovely bright day, so I was on the move again by 10:30, turning right at the end of the arm and stopping on the service point for a quick fill and empty.

Canal and river trust have a yard with workshops and offices here.

C&RT Yard

Looking back at services

 It was then off again through beautiful farmland with lovely views, it was a bit misty in the distance and the camera does not do justice but here are a few tasters.

Heading straight for the next Bridge hole, I hope those sheep move!

After bridge 60 you pass the entrance to the Montgomery canal and the Frankton locks, the canal is under restoration but has 7 miles currently navigable, the Frankton locks are only accessible between 12 and 2 and you have to book in advance,  and there is only ‘limited’ overnight moorings available, I believe there are still problems with water depth on this canal and the recent floods have done damage so I won’t be venturing up it on this occasion, but hopefully sometime in the future.

At this point the bridge numbers change starting afresh at 1W, I assume the W stands for Wales although I think I am still actually in England, with no internet I cannot Google a map to be sure.

Passing next the Narrowboat Inn and Maestermyn Mid-Wales Welsh Lady hire boats

 I have moored up for tonight just past the small village of Hindford in open farmland with lovely, although misty, views of the Welsh hills in the distance. Sadly still no internet, this is going to be a long post if I ever get it uploaded!

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 5miles