Easter 2015 Cruise - Day 10

First of all apologies for the multiple posts all at once. Up to now internet access has been patchy to say the least. So much so I've had to save them on the laptop for up loading when access is restored.

This morning the signs were not good for cruising at all. We were woken by the sound of really strong winds and AmyJo being buffeted about straining at her moorings. Rain clouds skitted across the sky so an easy decision to stay put was made. Fortunately our mooring was right next to a large canoe centre which shielded us from the worst of the wind but even so AmyJo was still being thrown about.

We hunkered down for the day and this gave me a good chance to catch up on the blog. You may have noticed I've been posting two days behind. 

 Chris mean while read her book and was content to be warmed by the fire as temperatures outside had dropped significantly.  It is Joannes birthday today so we recorded a video of us singing happy birthday and sent it via snapchat to her.  We'll never make Britain's got talent but Jo appreciated it none the less.

After lunch with the wind easing a little we decided to go for a walk along the cut towards Maesbury. We were so glad we were not on the move as the wind was strong causing waves on the cut.

Waves on the water show its too risky to cruise in narrow and shallow waters

The only boats on the move today.  Paddlers returning to Maesbury.

At Ashton locks this notice board explains the history of the canal with interesting cartoons.

On our return we called in on Gary and Della to give them copies of instructions for the level gauges as we both had the same type. They had not been given any for theirs so we copied ours for them

Our mooring with the Queen's Head in the background

Our hosts, Della and Gary on nb Muleless

 Gary and Della had acquired several Music tracks from Sue on No Problem and we had a super time listening to them on their new portable bluetooth speaker.  The sound quality of same is so good we are going to buy one when we get home.  

Whilst chatting another boat side swiped Muleless's bow with a thump.  Gary leap to the cratch and the share boat owner simply retorted to him "its a contact sport mate".  This, quite rightly, incensed Gary and he not so politely informed them it very much is not a contact sport and would he like it if we drove a 20 ton lorry into his home!  Turns out the guy had hit Muleless when mooring up earlier so I'm not in the least bit surprised Gary was annoyed. Once is excusable but a second time..... and not once was an apology given!

Anyhoo thats done with so we would like to say thank you Della and Gary for your company over the last two days, we have really enjoyed our chats and really look forward to meeting up again later in the season.

By evening the wind had abated to nothing and the sky cleared of clouds giving this lovely setting just outside our window. What a difference.

Easter 2015 Cruise - Day 9

We woke at the late hour of 9am this morning and found the weather to be fair but a breeze had built though nothing that would make cruising difficult. Todays cruise would be short but just as interesting as we had the Monty to explore for the first time today.

We pottered about until 11:30 when the lockie for the day arrived. She quickly got the locks ready and at 12 noon on the dot we were summoned to enter the top lock being the first boat to lock for today. Only two others were due to follow but only one had turned up.

The locks here appear quite narrow but as you enter the first lock one realises that its only an illusion due to the depth which is quite steep.

AmyJo starts her decent in the top lock of the two chamber staircase

Leaving the staircase and crossing the pound to the next lock

Looking back at the staircase the depth becomes apparent

The canal is quite picturesque at this point and was a sign of what was to come.

We locked down the remaining two locks that make up the Frankton flight and passed into narrow waters and open countryside. Passing oncoming boats would be interesting as the canal is barely wide enough to pass but our concerns quickly evaporated when it was clear we were the only boat in the area. The other stopping at Weston arm for water. In fact we only saw two boats on our way all morning and one was moored. Just after the new Graham Palmer lock, as Pearsons put it, we were quite literally in the middle of the middle of nowhere.

The open stretches of empty water quickly relieve any remaining stress as the absolute isolation becomes apparent. Long straight stretches of water devoid of boats becomes a welcome relief from the frantic mass of boats at Llangollen.  I can quite see why boaters "hide up" in this canal. The isolationism of it is quite appealing

The reason the restoration is taking so long is in abundance everywhere one looks. The scenery around the canal is amazing and is full of suitable wildlife habitats, is so remote its no wonder many rare breeds have taken residence here.  We have seen birds we have never seen before so our bird book is well leafed through and we are now having fun listening to them calling out.  We're even beginning to recognise the sounds and matching the breed.  I never thought I'd be doing that one day.

We crossed the newly constructed aqueduct that crosses the river Perry. In 1936 Pearsons tells us that a breach occurred here and the LMS owners decided not to repair it stranding the last carrier, George Beck, in the process. 

 A good breeze was now beginning to pick up so this boater was making the most of it. Bet it dried in no time.

And that was it. The only other boat we saw. As this picture shows nothing and, I mean nothing was moving on the cut. Utter bliss.

At the end of the above stretch a stop plank narrows signals the next stretch but beware. So many boats have been hitting the ramparts and plank supports of this narrows that C&RT have been force to erect large wooden buffers along the walls. This has slightly reduced the opening so great care is needed when passing through to avoid the large bolt heads drawing graffiti along the boat sides.

After passing under bridge 73 we come across Heath Houses and former packet terminal. This quaint building looks quite pretty, so much so we forgot the camera. We’ll get a photo on our return.

Finally after bridge 75 and just past a winding hole we came to The Queens Head pub at Queens Head (yes the village has the same name as the pub or is it visa versa). As we pulled in to the moorings here a familiar face appeared in the form of Gary and there was nb Muleless ahead. Gary helped us tie up and was joined by Della. Both joined us on board for a drink. We spent a good couple of hours catching up and comparing how our boats were performing, then we reconvened in the Queens Head for a meal in the evening where the usual subjects were discussed. A great night was had and it was gone 11:30 before we returned to or respective boats.

The forecast for tomorrow is for strong winds and rain. We had planned to move down to the Navigation Inn tomorrow but we’ll have to see how the wind is in the morning.

Easter 2015 Cruise - Day 8

With only a short run to do today we were in no hurry to leave. A leisurely breakfast and cuppa was had before we eventually got under way at 9:30am

Approaching New Marton Locks

All boat crews worked the locks quickly so only a short wait

At New Martin Locks boats were coming upstream and we joined a two boat queue so we had them in our favour when it was our turn. I let Chris drive AmyJo and I worked the locks for her as they are quite placid emptying and filling. Using radios as she entered the second lock Chris called “How do I look” meaning was she lined up to the lock entrance. Now I could not let that go and replied calmly “You look as fantastic as ever my dear and AmyJo is lined up perfectly too”. A lady helping me lock wheel smiled and said “Mr. Smoothy!” wrly.

Mr Smoothy - not

Once clear of the locks we took a slow steady pace along St Martins Moor with only one boat ahead of us. We passed the closed Jack Mytton pub and a lady biker in the grounds informed us it was reopening in 3 or 4 days time. Turned out she was a member of staff there.

The last section of today’s cruise came into view.   Hatton locks are just through the bridge ‘ole on the right in the photo below.  We stopped just before the bridge for a reccy. We we’re booked to go down the flight tomorrow so were early. Talking to the lock keeper we were told to moor at the first mooring available after the turn and he would summon us up to the lock landing for the night when he finished.

The Frankton Flight are just through the bridge 'ole to the right

Just after we moved and moored up a boat came up the flight and stopped on the lock landing. He announced he was making a brew for the lock keeper and stayed a good hour. This was not a problem as no boats were on the move until much later. It did not go down well when a boater turned up to go down the flight. Poor Chris was convinced we should not have moored where we did but it was clear the boater’s anger was not directed at us but the tea making boater on the lock landing.

Eventually Mr T offered to move but the grumpy boater was having none of it telling him to stay put now as “I can’t be doing with it”. As he passed us both and entered the lock his incessant ranting did not cease. He could be heard moaning all the way down the flight bending the poor lock keeper’s ear on the way. I could see his point to be fair but as Mr T had offered to move and as told don’t bother I could not see what grumpy continued to moan about.

At 2pm the lock keeper informed us he was finished and we should move up onto the lock landing which we duly obliged. The rest of the afternoon was beginning to cloud up a bit so we took the opportunity to polish AmyJo’s Port side and stern. Whilst doing so this crowd of canoeists stopped for lunch and then dragged their canoes down past the locks.

As evening drew in we sat in the cratch with a drink being serenaded by this fellow. The sun came out and life could not be better.

Easter 2015 Cruise - Day 7

Today it was time to leave Llangollen but we wanted to be sure to get through the narrows before it started to get busy. Another boater who regularly comes to the basin recommended leaving before 8am to avoid the trip boats and the hirers.

As quietly as we could we slipped the lines at 7.45am and crept out of the marina.

AmyJo in the basin just before we leave

Creeping out of the basin

The pleasure and horse drawn boats at the wharf

Theme park ride water flume effect as one leaves the wharf

A slight mist lay about giving a strange look to the canal. Unfortunately it does not show to well in the photos but the slight haziness of them is due to the mist.

We had a clear run all the way down to Trevor meeting only one plastic cruiser going our way. As he was behind us and struggling to control the boat at low speed we pulled over when we got the chance and let him pass. They were surprised to see us as they too were moored in the basin and thought they were the first to leave. Our stealth mode obviously worked. That was the only boat we saw moving until we reached Trevor.

Approaching the turn at Trevor

Pontcysyllte and the Tupperware cruiser we let pass.

I am forever wondering what is the correct way to pronounce Pontcysyllte and so whilst at the Bridge Inn yesterday we asked the barmaid what the correct pronunciation was. As a local girl she happily informed us it is pronounced Pont-ka-silt-ay and the nearby village of Froncysyllte pronounced Fon-ka-silt-ay. It was clear she was pleased we had taken the trouble to ask and she beamed from ear to ear when we recited it back correctly to her.

Our first encounter of the day.

Now I don’t want to cast aspersions here but it was strange the sun came out just as we passed this sign.

We think the owners of this boat may also be Campanologists too

I do so like these lovely cottages on the approach to the aqueduct

At Froncysylte we got past the pirates without a broadside being fired. As it was early we reckon they must have been ashore having breakfast with dad. We cruised on in perfect weather with the morning getting warmer by the minute.

We eventually arrived at Lyon Quays where I mentioned we planned to stop in a previous post. The moorings were empty bar one small boat and are really peaceful despite being close to the busy A5

Like Llangollen wharf the jetties here are short but long enough to moor large boats to. A bit of advise if you intend to moor here. The cut is very silted up by the wall shore side of the moorings so moor bow first and do not drive the boat into the silt. We found we could still get in a good way and managed to pull out easily if we wanted.

We spent a lazy afternoon relaxing in the warm sunshine and within hours hire boats were pulling in. All had trouble getting in because of the silt so I leand a hand getting them in and tied with thanks from grateful crews.

Later in the afternoon this graceful Peacock made an appearance that, to Chris’s delight, displayed for her as soon she got the camera out. Vane or what.

We booked a table for the evening and were a little shocked at the bill afterwards. £25.50 for a 10 ounce Sirloin is a trifle steep me thinks. Thank god it was a superb peace of meat for that price!

Tomorrow we continue to retrace our steps but with a detour down the Montgomery canal to look forward to.

Easter 2015 Cruise - Day 6

We had decided to stay over in Llangollen today as we wanted to do some exploring.  High on the list was of course Horse Shoe falls.  One simply cannot do the LLangollen without a visit to the very head of the cut and the iconic falls.  Once here it becomes a sort of pilgrimage to pay homage to Thomas Telford by visiting them.  Not, however, before I corrected my school boy error and winded AmyJo so she was bow in on the little jetty.  No more running the gauntlet down the gunwales in our best flannels.

Sadly the horse drawn boat only goes to the falls on Tuesdays and this being Wednesday our only option was to walk the 1.5 miles to the falls.  Not that we minded as we could do with a stretch.  Again the cut did not disappoint.  The walk is through some pretty scenery and lovely tree lined vistas.

This lovely cottage is just upstream from the basin

The railway in steam today

 To my delight the railway was in steam and this 2-6-0 loco came past just as we were at the closest point to the track.  It bought happy childhood memories back for me as at 8yrs of age I had a Hornby OO model of this very class of engine, being my  favourite train back then. 

Wooded section on the way to Horseshoe falls

The route to the falls is about 40 minutes walk or 1.5 miles.  Just before reaching the falls one is greeted by the Bridge Inn where we had a morning coffee in glorious sunshine right beside the River Dee.

At the falls themselves we found several paddlers getting into the water and preparing to shoot the falls.  Some took the simple route and slipped in but some found a nice 10 foot bank to slide down into the water.

Just before the falls these guys were literally plunging in.

The falls themselves.  

 It must have taken such hard work for Telford's navvies to divert the flow of the river so they could build the wall.  No big mechanical equipment for them in those days.  Whilst the falls may look small one cannot imagine the effort that must have gone in to building it.  At 460 feet (140m) long  the falls allow some of the river to be diverted through an adjacent valve house and flow meter and then into the canal.

Up stream these guys were taking a less dramatic approach to entering the river

But they did at least shoot the falls.

Before we left we simply had to show the very beginning of the cut.

The above photo shows the water leaving at the base of the valve house and entering the head of the canal.  The water here is so clear you can see the canal bed for quite a way long the cut.

Looking back towards the basin from the start of he canal

 As it was now mid-day we retraced our steps back to the Bridge Inn for a snack.  Most will know the pub is so named because of the famous iron bridge that crosses the canal right outside the pub.  Sadly due to its poor condition  the bridge was closed in 1922 and never re-opened.  The good news is with the aid of funding from the landlord and a Lottery Grant the bridge is currently being fully restored.  We got chance to talk to the contractors and they informed us that the restoration could not have come soon enough.  When they came to dismantle the structure its supports were so severely corroded they reckoned another strong wind storm or river flood would have brought the whole lot crashing down into the river.

Contractors working on restoring the iron bridge

 Quite a precarious task but these two guys were in there element and were clearly enjoying the arduous work.

When we were nearly back to the basin we were met by the Hercules the horse pulling the pleasure boat along.

The rest of the day was spent wandering around the town.   needed new laces for my trainers so we got those in an outdoor pursuit shop and then got tempted by some lovely cakes in the bakery which we had for Supper

Finally we rounded off the day with a well earned meal in the Corn MIll.  Highly recommended with excellent food and good ale.