Easter Cruise Day 6 Ellesmere to Chirk Bank

We woke at 8am this morning and got everything ready to cruise after Smudge's morning walk.  We expected to see a grey sky and rain but this must have passed over during the night.  The ground was wet in places but the cloud was slowly burning off with hints of sunshine beginning to show through.  The wind, however,  was already breezy and biting cold.  

First manouver was to wind at the end of the arm.  Last time we did this the wind pinned us on the side of the winding hole and I had to bow haul AmyJo round.  This time the wind was in our favour blowing from end to the arm entrance.  Watched by an elderly gent who openly declared "I'm going to enjoy watching you in this wind", we deftly winded allowing the wind to blow AmyJo's bow around as we did.  The gent praised us for an expert job for which we thanked him and headed out.  Always use the wind to your advantage I learnt as a dinghy sailor.  You don't have to be in a sail boat either.

Leaving the arm and turning right to continue to Llangollen.

We wanted to stop for water at the services but two hire boats were already there.  Again using wind, I eased AmyJo up behind the last boat and got a bow line ashore letting the wind hold AmyJo against the bank keeping the junction clear. 

Not long and the lead hire boat moved off so we took their spot and filled the water and disposed of the rubbish, then got on our way.

Quite congested here but fortunately not too much traffic

This section is very rural with open farmland and open views.  At Tetchill is this lovely cottage that would be my ideal place to live if we ever go shoreside.  I don't know why but this place really appeals to me.

Nothing fancy but I just love this place

 From here on the numerous Gorse bushes are just coming into flower with vibrant yellow flower everywhere you look.  In places it makes the canal quite narrow and due to it's twists and turns one has to be alert for oncoming boats.  It was busier today with boats on the move, primarily hire boats, but still quieter than normal, however, that has started to change the closer to Llangollen we get.

Gorse now in flower

At one property the owner still lets out their mooring but its strictly time limited and must be quite costly to stay over night :-)

Nice mooring but could be a pain over night to keep feeding the meter.

 Smudge is finally getting used to cruising life and is beginning to settle whilst we're on the move though his choice of place to lay leaves a bit to be desired.  I constantly have to check before stepping down in case I tread on him

Now surely thats not comfortable but at least it is warm

 In fact, he is so used to cruising he has now taken to hopping off the boat at the narrow bridge 'oles without warning.  On one occasion I had to be quick getting off as well leaving Chris to grab the tiller in an instant.  Thankfully I got him back onboard at the next bridge 'ole.  He is now on a lead at all times when on the back deck.  He's also learnt he can slide off the cratch cover onto the tow path when moored so we can't even trust him on the roof now when not moving.

Smudge taking himself off for an impromptu walk with me in pursuit.

 Only two locks to deal with today, the New Marton locks.  These go easily and to save Chris running round to shut the second gate I found I could actually close it from the boat as they are not that deep.

Leaving the second of the locks to pick Chris up at the bridge 'ole

View from the side doors as we pass down St Martin's moor straight.

 We met this wood cutter last year at this point.  Don't seem to have cut much wood though and he still has that bottle of booze in his hand.

Rounding Lion Keys bridge 'ole we had another boat pull out infront of us.  A privateer this time.  I put AmyJo hard astern and gave him a blast of the horn.  He totally ignored me and dawdled at tickover for well over a mile.  I would not mind normally, mistakes can happen and I've done it myself but the ignorant old sod did not even apologise nor acknowledge my presence!   Sorry but that makes my blood boil.  If you do something like that at least have the decency to apologise.  It costs nothing and goes some way to vindicate oneself.  Rant over.

We reached our destination at Chirk Bank and found a mooring for the night just after bridge 21.  Our arrival was quite timely as we had the last available moorings on rings before the Aqueduct.  Several hire boats have since past us looking to moor.

We are moored just through this bridge.

I admit to being a little worried about that leg as AmyJo seems to be making slow progress with this Axiom prop up here against an increasing flow.  We struggled in the narrows last time with the normal prop so lets hope the Axiom pushes us through.  As you know I'm still undecided whether the Axiom actually performs better.  This will be the acid test for the Axiom as far as I'm concerned.  If we struggle more than last time its coming off and back to the original prop I'm afraid.

Our mooring for tonight

Tomorrow we'll complete the final leg of the trip to Llangollen passing over the Chirk and Pontcysyllte aqueducts then travel the narrows into Llangollen. 

Total distance:10.21 miles Elapsed time:5h32m14s Locks:2Bridges:33 

Average speed:1.84 mph (2.21 lock/mph)

Easter Cruise Day 5 Ellesmere and an afternoon of little jobs

This morning dawned bright and sunny and little wind though it did pick up as the day went on.  Most of the boats took their leave of the arm as the morning went on and we almost had the arm to ourselves at one point.

The arm empties of moored boats

 We took ourselves off for a wonder round the town and let Smudge stretch his legs in the nearby park.  Elesmere is one of those towns that in its day would have been well to do with numerous old buildings and streets springing up.  Sadly nowadays its looking like a town that has had its day.  Its still nice to wonder round but apart from the Tesco supermarket very few shops were open though there are one or too nice pubs. Interestingly a lot of new developments have sprung up since we were last here with housing still being built

A new estate of modern housing new hides Tescos behind

The high street

A circular route took us round the town and we spotted AmyJo basking in the sun in the distance

This building took our eye. I wonder if the raised door had steps before but is now seems no longer in use

We next walked to the Mere visitor centre and had a cuppa.  Smudge was on his best behaviour meeting all the other dogs then sat patiently whilst we drank our tea at the centre.  A first for him as he has little patience to sit still for long.

A lovely walk along the Mere

Still wanting more walkies even after our 2 mile trek.  Dad needs a rest.

In the afternoon with the sun now blazing down (yes it was actually hot for the first time) the solar panels topped the batteries up to 100% nicely.  I got on with a few jobs.  The stern gland has started to drip so I took up the gland with a turn on the nuts but ensuring the prop shaft still turned easily.

The rain drains on the stern deck hatch were full of dried dirt and the port side was actually blocked.  I gave both sides a good rodding out then cleaned up the channel, the water now flows away freely.  I also gave the stern deck matting a good scrub too.

Tomorrow we continue the cruise heading for Chirk.

Tonight's sunset

Easter Cruise Day 4 - Arm to Arm.

They say this time of year one can expect extremes of weather.  Well they certainly got that right!  After yesterday's warm and wet weather we woke to clear sunny skys and a frost.  The heating was soon on as the fire had been allow to die out over night.

We got underway at 9am as usual leaving Whitchurch arm with no wind and not a cloud in the sky.

The most photographed lift bridge at Whitchurch.  The arm is just of to the right of frame

 At the next lift bridge Chris found a novel use for the mooring bollards.  Why not use them as dog lead retainers?  Worked a treat.

You won't forget me mum will you?  He is learning to wait better now but only if mum stays close by.

The run to Prees Junction was fine in the sunshine but the cut was so quiet.  We have never known the Llangollen to be so quiet.  Hardly any boats about not even moored.  We did eventually find ourselves behind two hire boats, one of which pulled out behind the hire boat in front of us causing us to slam into reverse quickly (and no apology given).   They kept going, following far to closely to the boat in front of them almost button to button.  Eventually the lead boat decided enough was enough and pulled over to let us all through.  This meant at the next lift bridge we could let the hire boat crew in front do all the work.  I know, I know, thats not polite but karma does working in interesting ways.

We cruised the long straight sections to the last lift bridge before the Junction and for some reason the hire boats behind were nowhere to be seen so we worked the bridge alone and continued on our way.  We later found out that their dog had jumped off the boat to chase a pheasant and it took all the crew to round up and get the dog back aboard.

By now the sun was bright and the day pleasantly warm.  Even Smudge settled on the aft deck and enjoyed the warmth as we went along.  AmyJo seemed to be happy too and purred along nicely.  All was well with our lot at last.  This is what we dreamed of doing one day and here we were fulfulling the dream.

A rare moment for Smudge to be settled

Once again no boats about as we rounded the junction.  Where was everybody?  This is so not like the canal over the last 3 trips we made when it was as bad as the M25 and queues everywhere.

Were are all the boaters?

Not a soul about.

Can't pass Prees without a picture of the house.

The marshes were well flooded after all the rain

At last!  A boat going the other way. 

At Hampton bank we were passed by what can best be described as a floating skip.  This is a digger and the two crew, covered in mud, looked miserable having a hard time steering the thing which barely made way through the water.  I certainly felt for them.  No shelter if it rained for them.

A rather ungainly looking vessel.

Shortly after we made the Meres.  At Cole Mere the local sailing club was enjoying the fair weather.  We could make out several Laser dinghies and a Wayfarer.

Dinghies on Cole Mere.  Would like to sail here, looks fun.

At this point Smudge started to get restless, a sure sign he needs to go.  I dropped him and Chris off at the next bridge hole and the pair walked the rest of the way to Ellesmere.

Passing by the Meres,  a really pretty section we both look forward to.

We both feel from here on the canal gets prettier by the mile

Just before Elesmere town is a tunnel. At only 87 yards long Ellesmere tunnel is a little tricky to enter as its entrance is on a slight bend.  I got AmyJo in without problem but the hire boat with the wayward dog which had now caught up hit the parapet hard with an bang that echoed through the tunnel.  I guess that is a quite common occurrence here as on the left of the portal entrance a block of wood now replaces the brick about where most cabins hit it.

Entering Ellesmere tunnel

I think Chris quite enjoyed the walk as she kept ahead of AmyJo and I.

We arrived at the Ellesmere arm about 2pm and found where all the boats were.  Here!  The arm was chocker full but some walkers informed Chris an Anderton hire boat had just left so we should be able to moor in their place.  I entered the arm with Chris ashore on the radio commenting where the space was.  When I got there sure enough there was a space but, it was just a tad to small for AmyJo and we thought we would have to leave it.  Fortunately one of the moored boaters offered to move his boat back a bit and we gratefully squeezed in button to button with the boats back and front.  As a thank you I proffered the boater a can of beer and we chatted happily for over an hour.  All the while boats arrived looking for a mooring and left disappointed.  We consider ourselves lucky and our belief that boaters are generally a good bunch restored.

AmyJo is squeezed in fourth boat along

Later I went out with the camera to get the above shot of our mooring and as I returned I spotted the kind boater who let us in teaching this young lad who came from another boat how to fish.  It so reminded me of happy memories as a lad when my grandfather taught me to fish.  He was a naval man through and through, I think thats where I got got my love of all things boaty.  I oft wonder what he would make of AmyJo.  He'd probably ball me out for not keeping her navy ship shape though for sure.  So wish he was alive to see her.

I too have happy memories of moments just like this with granddad.

Tomorrow we're giving AmyJo the day off and will explore Ellesmere town.  Chris has a few bits she wants to buy if she can get them and, as the weather forecast is for wind, we think we'd be better off staying put.

Total distance:12.36 miles Elapsed time:5h23m45s Locks:0 Bridges:28 

Average speed:2.29 mph (2.29 lock/mph)

Easter cruise Day 3 Wrenbury to Whitchurch

This mornings weather was grey and overcast and deteriorated as we cruised.  We left the mooring at the usual 9am and there was rain in the air.  The sort you feel occasionally but everything slowly gets wet.  Once again we were the only boat on the move, going through the lift bridge on our own without the sudden appearance of boats behind like previous years.

We locked through Quoisley, Willey Moor and Povey locks meeting few boats coming the other way.  After Povey lock Chris spotted our first lambs of the season.  They looked to be only a few days old.

Our first sighting of lambs this year.

 By now the rain was becoming more persistant and the pram hood was raised to stay dry.  Chris though, insisting in lock wheeling, got her wet gear and wellies on.  Where there was no road Smudge was allowed off the boat and was very well behaved most of the time

Waiting patiently whilst mum works the lock

Working hard and no smile this time

 We reached the Grindley Brook locks around 1pm.  As I started into the bridge below the bottom lock I sounded the horn and got a reply.  A boat was just coming out of the lock.  He waited as I came through the bridge and we passed each other.  Apparently he stopped and cheerily called "You tooted first so I stopped".  Never heard of that one before but it was gentlemanly of him to allow us through none the less.

Not sure why but the middle of the three locks below the staircase has a totally differant type of paddle gear on the lower gates.  Its hydraulically operated and you had to wind for ages to lift or lower the paddle.   Glad there are not too many of these.

The middle of three locks below the staircase

 We worked the locks, Chris setting the lock and, when I was in, opening the paddles.  When safe for me to get off she went on to set the next lock and I single handed out of the lock using our tried and tested, "exit the lock then put it in reverse, nip off whilst the boat is still going forward and close the gate then wait for AmyJo to return to me" method.

At the staircase we went straight in and met the locky in the middle chamber.  She is one of the most helpful and chatty lockies we have ever met and enjoy a chat with her each year.

After a brief pause for water and lunch we continued a short way to Whitchurch.  The visitor moorings online were all taken but were surprised to find only two boats in the arm. As it was now raining hard we decided to call it a day.  Flushed with my success at reversing at Christleton I reversed AmyJo into the arm and onto the moorings below the winding hole.

Thankfully little wind made reversing easier

Sods law.... no sooner had we tied up the rain stopped and the sun came out.  After a cuppa we took Smudge for one last walk before settling down for the night.

Online moorings full of boats

 We found a lovely trail that went through woods and lead back to the cut so a nice round walk to end the day.  By now Smudge was exhausted so is now sound asleep after tea as I type.  He'll get a short walk before going to bed.

Still loads of energy to dash around this field

Our mooring for the night.

 I think the reason for the arm being so empty is a large building site on the offside is currently well underway though being a weekend is thankfully quiet at the moment.

Is this building site why the arm is empty?

Interestingly another boat has just reversed in in front of us called Sammy Jo.  I wonder if it is so named for the same reason as AmyJo?

Total distance:7.14 miles Elapsed time:4h58m37s Locks:9 Bridges:26 

Average speed:1.44 mph (3.24 lock/mph)

Easter Cruise Day 2 Barbridge to Wrenbury

This morning we were woken by Smudge who was desparate to go out at 6:30.  Poor fellow must have had an upset tummy as we did not make it in time.  Enough said about that.

With angry looking sky we slipped the lines at 9am and cruised the short distance to Hurleston Locks.  Like Bunbury, they too were bereft of life, ours being the only boat to climb the lock.

I nosed AmyJo onto the lock landing and Chris let down the first lock.  When ready, it was a tight turn to line AmyJo up to enter the chamber.  I had to gently nudge her port bow onto the wall to allow the stern to swing round and line up.  There are barely 4 inches of room in the lock so its esential to line up before entering the chamber.

Turning onto the lock landing is the easy bit

You can see  just how tight the lock chamber is.
Some boats get jammed in this lock on occasions because they are slightly too wide.

In she goes, just.

Meanwhile our stick chewer took no interest at all.

Eventually, having had his fill of sticks, Smudge came back aboard for his reassuring cuddle.  We tend to forget he is still a puppy at 8 months old and likes that little hug to let him know all is well.
.

Happy now he got a cuddle from dad.

 Chris, however has to wait for her cuddle later so soldiered on lock wheeling.  By now those black clouds were gone and the sun made a most welcome appearance resulting in temperatures warming nicely putting a smile on our faces.

One thing I love Chris for is she is always smiling no matter what is occurring.

The top lock and still no boats around.

On exiting the top lock we could here a familliar knocking coming from the prop.  Time to visit the weed hatch, so we pull up and got the hatch off.  Nothing more than a large twig was found so either that was causing the knock or, the prop jockey had fallen off as I reversed to a stop.

We soon past through Burland and then Mountbatten and her butty moored looking forlorn.  Is a shame John and Hannah no longer do the coal runs as we always enjoyed doing business with them.  Having the baby I think they made the right choice to go shoreside, though I have a feeling once the she gets older we might see them back on the cut one day.

Both Swanley and Baddily locks were in our favour so we passed through them in no time.  We found Wrenbury moorings almost empty so moored in a lovely spot between the trees in full sunshine so the solar panels could make the most of it.

Total distance:6.99 miles Elapsed time:5h47m59s Locks:10 Bridges:13 

Average speed:1.20 mph (2.93 lock/mph)