Goodbye to the Llangollen..........

.........and on to the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal

Sunday 14^th February:

This morning was frosty and chilly but after a full English breakfast I was keen to get going, with everything about ready I went outside to see a boat approaching heading in my direction, with the four Hurlestone locks ahead it wasn’t what I wanted to see but such is life, luckily following along behind him I stopped at the services just before the locks and emptied and filled as he began his descent.

Servicing finishing I headed into the first lock.

View down the Hurlestone flight from the top lock

Once through the first lock and entering the second lock I was happy to see a boat in the third lock coming up, that helped as it meant I could leave the bottom gates open and they would leave the top gate open and we could pass each other in the short pound between the locks, once in the third lock the same thing happened and entering the last of the four someone waiting to coming up locked me through, it was like the middle of summer, so many boats on the move, more than I have seen for a few months!

Hurlestone Junction is at the bottom of the locks and turning left I headed up the Shropshire canal main line passing the large reservoir that stores water from the canal, fed by the River Dee, and is used to provide water for the people of Crewe.

 On towards Barbridge Junction passing the Olde Barbridge Inn.

And then turning right under bridge 1 to enter the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Junction on the right

Almost through

 A long line of moored boats means slow progress to begin with.

Nicely lined up, look at all those moored boats

Approaching Cholmondeston Lock, which according to Canal & River Trust latest figures was the fourth most used lock on the system last year, and a deep one at 11’ 3”, I could see two men at the top gate and assumed a boat was coming up, I hung about mid canal for a while and not much seemed to be happening, when they walked away I headed for the lock landing and tied up, walking up to the lock I was surprised to see the chap I had followed first thing now filling the lock, I was puzzled, I asked what was happening and he said “I am delivering the boat to the Marina” (Venetian marina is just after the lock), I asked where his boat was, a bit baffled and he said “it’s behind yours”, it’s a long lock landing (due to it being a busy lock) and he had tied up right at the start of it, I hadn’t noticed his boat I had assumed it was just one of the line of moored boats near the lock, anyway a bit puzzled still I told him to go get his boat while I opened the top gate,  he then proceeded to move off and steer across the canal colliding with a boat moored opposite saying later that the wind caught his bow, anyway he came into the lock and I locked him through, I must admit I am still a bit baffled by it all.

Leaving that lock I had to negotiate a fishing match of about 12 pegs, what a lovely bunch of fella’s, they nearly all had something polite to say or a bit of banter, it made a pleasant change, often fishermen don’t even acknowledge you passing.

I was also lucky at the next lock, Minshull lock, as a boat was coming up as I approached, some days it goes well J

Approaching the lock I could see people working it.

It’s another deep one at 11’ 0” and one of the first locks for a long time where I have needed to tie up and go back to close the bottom gates, there was just no way to get back up on the lock side from the mouth of the lock, there are steps but there is some sort of obstruction preventing access to them.

The steps are on the right but there is a barrier in the water

I then passed the Aqueduct Marina.

And moored up at Church Minshull just before bridge 14.

Totals today: 6 miles : 6 locks

Monday 15^th February:

A cold start, I didn’t realise how cold until around 8am I ventured outside to find ice over the canal behind me, not thick ice, but on this straight sheltered section it had been cold enough to freeze.

Not very obvious, but it is iced over.

I decided to walk into Church Minshull, a small village with not much there but I thought as I had stopped here a look around was warranted. The first 700 metres or so was another take your life in your hands country lane with not path or verge to keep you off the narrow busy road, downhill from the canal and with bends in the road it is not a pleasant experience in either direction.

A few pictures before heading back to a now lovely warm boat.

St Bartholomews

There are lots of white painted timber framed houses, the church and pub and not much else, a beautiful village but quite a busy couple of roads running through it. There was a sign for the pub on the towpath (stating 700 metres away) but I would not fancy the walk back at night after a couple of beers, a hi- viz jacket might help!

I wanted to move up to Middlewich today and as it was only a short run of just over 4 miles with one lock I left it until 12:30 before setting off, it was sunny but bitterly cold and I was surprised to find myself doing some ice breaking.

It wasn’t thick probably 9mm as the worst points but there was a lot of it.

Some lovely countryside and views generally

After going through Stanthorne lock, another deep 1 at 11’ 1”, I arrived at Middlewich

Entering Middlewich

And moored up for a day or two, pleased to find good internet and not bad phone signals, haven't bothered to try the TV.

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 4 miles : 1 lock

Some days it’s better to not do anything.

Yesterday began with a very heavy frost, I had already decided to move and was in good spirits when I got ready, the sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a lovely cruising day down to and through the six locks at Grindley Brook and then three more locks to arrive at Marbury, a total journey time of roughly four hours.

Something was out of kilter though, I think it was me, I was definitely tired and soon lots of silly little things began to go wrong and everything annoyed me changing my mood to one of frustration, only little things, forgetting to pick up my windlass before walking to the lock, getting my centre line tangled around my feet, leaving a paddle up! it just wasn’t going well, having got down the staircase of three locks at Grindley Brook without killing myself or anyone else things did not improve but I soldiered on and eventually arrived at my intended stop, the final straw was a really muddy towpath, boy was I glad to get moored up and put the kettle on, a day to forget J

No pictures, I wasn’t going to risk dropping my camera in the cut.

Total that day! : 5.5 miles : 9 Locks

Today was a cold damp misty start, I was in two minds about what to do but decided to walk into the small village of Marbury and have a look around, it’s about 10 minutes along a country lane and I was pleased I did.

There is not much there, the mandatory church, another huge one given the size of the village and of course the pub.

At the back of the church is ‘Big Mere’  and a smaller one which I assume is ‘Little Mere’ a few pics of the big mere and St Michaels Church.

Big Mere

The church viewed from the mere.

And up close

The lych gate is a memorial to those from the parish who gave their lives in the 1914-1919 war and on the church side has these words carved into the horizontal member “Ye who live on mid English pastures green, remember us and think what might have been”.

The village green with its seat around the tree and the Swan Inn public house beyond.

The Village hall, not huge but I would imagine at one time the centre of activity, 1929 over the entrance.

A delightful little out of the way quiet English village.

Back at the boat I got myself ready and set off, for I hoped, a better trip, and it was, although the weather was not wonderful all was right with Quinquireme and me, back to normal, if there is such a thing. Just ahead was the first lock of the day, Marbury lock and then I was off and away.

I mis-timed my approach to the electric lift bridge at Wrenbury, I could see the Red traffic lights showing someone was coming through it as I approached but I was too far away to slip through with them and I thought ..... 'here we go again'........,but no, having tied up at the bridge I thought I’d pop in the chandlers first and buy some fender rope, as I was coming out I saw a fitter and asked if he could check my batteries, he said yes, reverse your boat in and I will take a look, he then offered to operate the bridge for me, so it was all good, I reversed in between the other boats without hitting them and he confirmed my batteries need replacing, it wasn’t a shock, I have suspected for some time that they were on the way out.

I left there and had a pleasant cruise through the three Baddiley Locks

Leaving one of the three.

Through the two Swanley Locks and past Swanley Marina all withought incident, I was a happy chappy again J

I have moored for the next day or two between bridges 4 and 3 a quiet spot with just me here, I need to source some new batteries!

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 7.5 miles : 6 locks : 3 lift bridges

Return journey and catching up again.

Since leaving Llangollen I haven’t had an internet signal again so here’s another catch-up post.

Thursday 4th February:

It’s was a longer stay than I had intended at Llangollen but I have to say it was very enjoyable, having the services nearby and free electricity was a blessing, the town was very pleasant and had sufficient facilities to prevent me running short of anything. I now have to leave that behind and head back to the internet and phone shy area that is part of Shropshire.

The bridge repairs took longing than scheduled and finally opened on Tuesday evening (the 2^nd of Feb, they were due to finish on the 29^th Jan). I decided to stay Wednesday to allow the water levels to come back up to normal and leave early today to avoid meeting any boats at the narrows, things began well, it was dry and not too cold when I cast off at 8:30 and headed for the basin to wind, my neighbour who had followed me down to Llangollen had moved his boat into the basin the day before and seeing me arrive he came out of his boat to wave goodbye, a nice chap, I never got his name but his boat was N.b Enchantress.

It was then back through the bridge and heading for the first of 3 narrows, the first narrow section is immediately after the bridge and not too bad, you could fairly easily reverse back if you met another boat (or they could), the second section is 500 metres long and you cannot see the end at all, this was the section I was most concerned about and as I approached it a boat appeared heading towards me, timing was good and I was able to give way easily but we were both surprised to see each other but obviously both had the same idea of leaving early, as he passed he said ‘don’t you just hate the rush hour’.

The Lift Bridge after the second narrow section.

The next narrow section begins with the bridge I got grounded on coming down, but with the increased water levels there were no problems at all today, never touched the bottom once.

Looking back the bridge is just out of sight immediately after the bend.

No traffic through this 300 metre section though as I retraced my route down, the Pontcysyllte aqueduct was a bit blowy but soon across that and up to the next lift bridge (28W), having passed through it and about to lower it when two walkers asked a few questions and I was distracted talking to them whilst lowering it, having boarded and set off again I noticed a woman walking along the towpath with windlass in hand, I called ‘sorry I didn’t see you’, she laughed and said ‘I was waving to get your attention but you were busy chatting’, she was ok and no real harm done.

Continuing back through Whitehouses tunnel and then Chirk Tunnel and Chirk aqueduct before being greeted by this sign.

I moored up just past bridge 21W and went for a walk back into Wales and around Chirk, detouring slightly to look at the Aqueduct and Viaduct first.

Shame about the trees they spoil what would be a good picture!

Foreground is the Viaduct, background Aqueduct and River Ceiriog below.

Then it was a uphill slog following the road to reach the village. I think they have let things slide, after winning 4 years running nothing since 2012 J

A nice small village really though, here’s a few pics.

St. Mary's Church

Tea Rooms in the High Street

Mock Tudor with take-away's

The Council offices

One thing I did not photograph was the Hot Chocolate factory, formerly Cadbury’s but now Mondelez which along with the Kronospan timber factory dominate the area and the air, the smell of hot chocolate is nice, for a few minutes, but would you want it assailing your nostrils 24/7.

My return route to the boat took me down the footpath, or I think it should be called a foot-hill, it was very steep and muddy and not a very nice walk!

Back on the towpath between the bridge and my mooring was this pleasant little canal inspired display.

Totals Today: 9 miles : 2 Lift Bridges : 2 Tunnels : 2 Aqueducts

Friday 5^th February

I left Chirk bright and early just after 8am, it was a lovely day for this time of year, no sun but no rain either and not too cold.

It was an uneventful start but just after bridge 17W and Lion Quays hotel I spotted this small green boat moored up.

I instantly recognised it as N.b. Tilly belonging to Dan Brown, no not of ‘The Da Vinci Code’ fame but of ‘A Sort of Interesting Life’ fame, not quite as famous I grant you but he posts videos on U Tube. I’ve seen a few of his videos and they are entertaining, he’s an outdoors man and the videos are not all narrowboat. I think he’s been living aboard for 4 or 5 years now and he loves it, although the boat is small he has all he needs.

In a weird co-incidence sort of way when looking at fuel boat N.b. Mountbatten’s Facebook page later to find out where he was I saw that he had posted a link to a Dan Brown video that shows him cruising the section Chirk to where I saw him moored, here’s a LINK .
I was moored just after the boat Little Plum at 8:20minutes in the video, probably the day after Dan had passed by, a shame, it would have been nice to have seen Quinquireme on his video.

The sun tried desperately to break through the dark clouds but they weren’t letting it.

Approaching the water point just before the 2 New Marton Locks I decided a quick top up would be easily done there so I stopped, that turned out to be a good decision, having finished the first boat I had seen moving so far was just coming out of the first lock so they left the top gate open for me.

Approaching the second lock and heading for the landing when a lady waved me on, she was coming up with her husband but the lock was in my favour so she opened the top gate and in I went, she then told me to stay on board and she locked me through, lovely, neither of those bits of good fortune would have happened had I not stopped for water J and they were two of only three boats I saw on the move, timing is everything sometimes.

I carried on enjoying a lovely peaceful calm cruise, although it was blowy in some of the exposed areas, with a flask of coffee to hand along with some homemade cheese straws retracing my route back to Ellesmere, mooring up down the arm by 12:30. A quick shop in Tesco, followed by a trip to the launderette and then an electrical store finished of the day.

I have moved my radio from the bedroom to the main cabin, although there are speakers in both rooms I found it a pain having to walk along to the bedroom to use it, it was also necessary as part of my plan for redesigning the bedroom and bathroom, a bit of a project, or two, which will be ongoing as time and enthusiasm allow. I also need a new radio and will fit it properly when I buy it!

Only the two pictures today as I am on a return trip.

Totals today: 10 miles : 2 locks

Today: 9th February:

After a mostly wet and windy stay at Ellesmere I was pleased to arrange for fuel boat Mountbatten to stop and fill me up and take on board another 6 bags of smokeless and having stocked up with provisions at the very convenient Tesco at the end of the arm I was all fit to go again and so I set off this morning about 9:30.

It was a beautiful bright morning and I was soon entering Ellesmere tunnel again.

Pootling along in the sunshine today with a flask of coffee, a sandwich and a slice of homemade fruitcake, well it was going to be a longer run today J

Of course the only boat I passed on the move was as usual at a narrow section with moored boats, it always seem to happen that way.

Pssing by Bettisford

The straight leading to Prees Junction.

Just after the Junction came the first of 5 Lift bridges, all went as they should with none of the ‘frozen’ problems I encountered on my journey down and I was back at my mooring at Whitchurch by about 2pm and settled in for the night, Internet again, TV signal, but very weak phone signal.

Totals Today: 12.5 miles : 1 Tunnel : 5 Lift bridges

Llangollen

I had a wander around Llangollen, a lovely town but quite touristy as you would expect.

Looking down on the town from my mooring

Looking down the main street.

There are a fair number of gift and souvenir shops both along the main road and in the side streets along with antique shops but there is also a Spar and a Co-op plus a couple of greengrocers and butchers. Meals out are also well covered by bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants, and a couple of fish and chips shops as well as a few more specialist deli's and so all your needs are catered for.

The river Dee and Llangollen railway station.

I walked along to the works on the bridge this morning and it does not look like it will be ready for boats tomorrow, but they do seem quite close to finishing, time will tell.

Meanwhile I am quite happy here although getting a bit keen to move on.