The Llangollen Canal & The Montgomery Canal 28.4.14

The Llangollen Canal Monday 28th April 2014

A sharp right turn off the Shroppie and I took the boat into the first of the narrow locks of a brand new canal .... We were on the Llangollen canal and heading for Wales!

We got into the first of the Hurleston Locks, the view from behind at the Shroppie

We had four narrow locks to do straight away, we were in a queue of boats waiting to go up, and we were number three in the queue! After about 20 mins it was our turn. The sign said to pull up all fenders as the locks were narrow, we did as we were told and away we went, up the first, out, into the next and so on until we were at the top of lock four.

We had accended three of the locks, last one to go

It was already 4pm so we were looking for somewhere to moor up for the night. 

Going through the first of many bridges

We pulled over between bridges 2 and 3, quiet and peaceful place, no one around, felt like we were the only ones on this canal!

We had a lovely quiet little spot just after bridge 2

The countryside around us was pretty, green lush fields, we find a lovely marked walk over fields and meadows and Jack ran and ran!

Jack's exhausted after his run over the fields and meadows

Back at the boat we settled in for a peaceful night. This canal has been on my 'must do' list of canals for 15 years, finally I'm here with my new husband and our little dog Jack!

The next day, Tuesday 29th April, we walked Jack and much to his disgust we showered and shampooed him in preparation for his 8-weekly haircut!

Leaving our mooring spot after bathing Jack in preparation for his summer haircut

We set off on the boat at 10am while he was drying off. We only planned on going a short distance, we'd got a mile to do until we got to our first of two locks for the day. It's lush and green here, the sun is trying to come out but it's struggling to get through the grey and dismal clouds.

Fast weir streams came in across the bottom of the locks

The locks all seem to have fast weir streams coming across the canal just as you enter the lock, pushing the boat over to one side. But with my experience I sped up and managed to glide the boat in without touching the sides!

We pulled over at this beautiful spot on the towpath

Soon after the second lock we decided to stop, there were good walks marked on the map and it seemed a good place to give Jack his haircut! So between bridges 12 and 13 we pulled over on the 48 hr moorings and tied up to the mooring rings. It's 12 noon, time for a lunch break before the fluffy Jack becomes a handsome lad once again!

A shaggy winter coat makes Jack look a fluffy boy

... and after he's like a puppy again!

It took just two hours to do, he looked like a puppy once again! We took him out for his walk, he had an amazing run around! I think with the fluffiness gone he felt like a brand new dog once again! We then relax for the rest of the day.

The huge sun as it set across the fields from us

On Wednesday after our walk we set off up the canal. Jack makes another appearance on the back deck with us and watches the countryside go past.

Glorious surroundings

We go on about half a mile and arrive at the Baddiley Locks, three in total, and they're all set against us!

Paul and Jack head off to set the lock, they're all full and have to be emptied before I can go in

Paul and Jack go off to sort the locks, there's strong weir streams on every one that comes right across the mouth of the lock. But we get in and out fine, making it to the top with no problems. There's loads of boats on the move here, it's a busy canal!

What can I say other than 'stunning'

What a beautiful view

All around us are open fields, really lovely but not jaw dropping (that comes later). 

A boat crew from a hire boat lifts the bridge up and we cruise on through!

There's a couple of lift bridges to do next, one is done for us by a boat crew coming towards us and Paul does the electric road lift bridge at Wrenbury.

Wrenbury Lift bridge is an electric on, with traffic lights to stop the traffic

Cruising on through the lovely countryside

Another lift bridge to come, but it's up and is chained up! So we just cruise on through. 

Bluebells cover the floor of the woodlands...

... and we buy kindling from 'old Ken' at Quoisly Lock, great bloke!

He even finishes the lock off for us too!

We've now got three locks to do, the second is Willeymore Lock with a lovely pub right on the lock!

It's lunch time and the sun's out, this looks a lovely place to stop on the way back!

The canal is dead straight now, we cruise on till we get just below our next set of locks, Grindley Brook locks, that's for tomorrow!

There's 48 hr moorings here so we tie up; we've done 7 locks and 8 miles today and it's time for our Jack walk! We find some great fields to walk, Jack again has an amazing time!

We moor up for the night below the 6 Grindley Brook locks....

... and find some lovely walks around for Jack

Deciding whether to go in this field, the walk says that way!

When we go up to look at the locks we discover there's a coffee shop that sells cake to die for, a texaco garage that sells cheap red diesel (78.9ppl) and a shop selling ice creams! Ha! Were sorted!

The escapee, bleating loudly for mum this lamb soon makes it back into its field

The only sounds we can hear are the sheep in the next field (one had got out and was bleating up and down the towpath) and the amazing array of birds!

On Thursday 1st May we stayed here. The rain didn't stop all day so we lit the fire early and stayed in most of the day. Paul went to the garage and filled up two gerry cans with cheap diesel and chopped some wood. We came home drenched from our dog walks but soon dried off in the boat.

Just through this train bridge and the locks were there

They're all pretty deep locks...

Friday was slightly better, grey and damp but it didn't rain. So after our walk we set off to go up the 6 Grindley Brook locks. We went up the first three and then the next three were in a staircase.

... and there's a jolly lock keeper on hand to help

Well I'm not sure he's that jolly!

There was a lock keeper on hand to help so we went up the flight quickly. All the locks were deep, and quite visious when they were filled.

The lift bridge at Whitchurch, the arm goes of directly to the left after the bridge

At the top of the locks we cruise on through pretty countryside until we get to a lift bridge which is a pretty tough one! Plenty of turns of the windlass later and we're through.

Someone needs to do some gardening here I think...

The Whitchurch arm is directly left but to get in you have to reverse! 

Our mooring on the Whitchurch Arm

So around I go, reversed into the arm and back to a spot on the 48 hr moorings. It's peaceful and quiet here, there's only 4 other boats moored up and there's no passing boats! It's really pretty too!

It's lovely and quiet down the Whitchurch Arm

After sorting out our washing we head off the 1.2 miles to 'Bubbles' the laundrette and get out smalls, and larges, washed and dried. We get a few bits from Tescos and also call in to a shop that sells hoovers, we find a pretty decent on that will run off the generator and it's small enough to store on the boat. Back at the boat we get Jack out to explore, we find wonderful rabbit infested fields, little white tails disappear into bushes as Jack has a great game of chase!

Leaving the Arm, to the right of the picture... 

Saturday is a beautiful day, the sun is warm and bright and the sky is so blue. We set off after our Jack walk, by now it was 9.30 am, in the glorious sun. We left the Whitchurch arm and immediatly we had to do an emergency stop! 

... we then had a hire boat across the canal and ground on the opposite bank!

There was a hire boat right across the canal and they'd got grounded on the shallow, reedy, muddy bank. After waiting for them to sort themselves out we set off again.

Paul builds his muscles up as he lifts the bridge for me to go through

We seem to meet all the boats at narrow bridges!

We went through some lovely countryside, green and open grassy meadows. We had a couple of lift bridges to do, both quite tough and windlass operated, both hard work!

The channel is narrow because of overgrown trees here

And the Whixhall Mosses look almost desert like

Its a very straight cut in the canal, built up on an embankment

After a couple of miles we come to a stretch of canal which was dead straight. It's an area called Whixall mosses, open landscape and tree lined canals, the surroundings look like a desert from the canal but it's all dried out marshlands.

This post denotes one of the border posts as the Welsh border wiggles about here

We cruise between the border of Wales and England here, there's a sign that denotes the border, but not for long. Were soon back in England as the border weaves around here all over the place. We carry on our long straight journey, 3 miles of straight canal, and arrive in a tiny village called Bettisfield.

Getting water along the way at Bettisfield

After a short stop over for lunch and to fill up with water we head off again towards the lakes area. The marshes and the meres were formed in the ice age, there's big lakes everywhere!

Coles mere was the largest, formed in the ice age a very long time ago!

We look for a lovely spot here,  just around the corner...

We cruise on 3 miles between the meres and stop at some lovely 48 hr moorings beside a lovely big lake called Coles mere, its a country park too, stunning.

... and what a picture! This was amazing, and when it got dark the bats came out, what a sight!

We moor up under the tree canopy, sun shining between the tall overhanging trees, picnic tables, bird songs of all varieties and beautiful countryside all around. 

Our view from our front door, and what a view!

Lots of people stop and chat, it's a busy place, very popular.

"Come on mum, dad, what's keeping you?"

The lovely woodland walks around the mere

After a while we go off and explore Coles mere and the beautiful woodland that surrounds it in the glorious sunshine. Jack has a great rummage around, and we have a leisurely stroll! While we were out I gathered handfuls of wild garlic to go with our salad for tea, and it's yummy!

In the evening the birds go to sleep and the bats come out in force! We've never seen so many flying around the boat, kept us amused for ages! There's also flies of every variety here too, especially mosquitos!

We walk Jack in the morning, the last of the lakes walks

Sunday 4th May we wake up really early with the rain pounding on the roof of the boat, were off cruising to Ellesmere today, it's a couple of miles away through beautiful lakes and woodlands, destination Tescos.

Leaving the beautiful mooring under the trees we head off under our front door view bridge

We leave after our walk with Jack and set off about 9am, past a lovely mere called Blakes mere and under a small tunnel. 

Blake's mere, what a lovely spot for fishermen crouching under their umbrellas

We enter the short but sweet Ellesmere Tunnel

After about a mile we get to the Ellesmere junction, there's a small arm leads to the town, and that's where Tescos is.

And instead of continuing to Llangollen we head off down the Ellesmere Arm

There's lots of boats moored down the arm, its 72 hrs mooring here

We got a space near Tescos, tied up and went shopping

Turning sharp right we go down the arm a few yards and pull up in a 48 hr spot on the towpath.

Tescos is right at the end of the arm, right on the canal!

Tescos is a 3 minute walk from here, right on the canal, and we stock up our fridge and cupboards.

We turn round at the bottom of the arm, and head back onto the main canal 

We're soon heading back down the arm after turning at the end and make our right turn back on to the main canal once again.

This dodgy day hire boat was all over the canal...

After pulling over to dump rubbish at the services on the junction we make our way again. Narrowly missing a dodgy day hire boat that's all over the canal were on our way again the 3 miles to Frankton junction where the Montgomery canal joins the Llangollen canal. 

Open countryside all around us, very green and lush

It's very empty on this stretch of canal, nothing and no one around at all. 

Beautiful little bridges but they all seem to be on a tight bend!

The canal is narrow, bridges spring up on every tight bend, open fields all around us.

Welcome to the Montgomery Canal

We head off into the first lock... its a double staircase lock

We arrive at the junction of the Montgomery canal by 1pm, we've booked to go down the locks here between 12 and 2pm, so we wait till instructed and get into the top lock. It's a 2 lock staircase, lady lock keeper Amy on hand to assist our ascent.

Paul chats to Amy, the lady lock keeper, she's got a concerning look about her face!

We head on down the locks...

Soon through the locks there's two more locks and were at the bottom.

Till we get to the 4th of the Frankton locks

Half a mile on we pull over on the 48hr moorings and walk Jack.

Moored up on the 48's by the services....

While walking the fields we spot some moles pinned up on a barbed wire fence! 

.... and on our walk we spot some moles pinned up on barbed wire, maybe some sort of voodoo... later we learned it was the mole catcher showing off his catch to the farmer! What a way to prove you've caught moles!

Spooky, voodoo maybe? Some old geezer shouts out to us to get out of the field or the farmer will come after us! So we leave the field, and the mooring place! Bad vibes? Yeah! Were outta here!

A memorial to Graham Palmer, and the lock was named after him too! What a handsome chap!

We set off and got to Graham Palmer lock, only a foot deep. Once through we carried on through the ever so straight cut of the canal.

The canal is quite boringly straight here for a few miles

This section of the canal has been lovingly restored, but it means there's no where to moor up! The banks on the towpath side are shallow and sloping, trees lean over the water on the other side. We continue our straight, and to be honest quite boring, 3 and a half miles of the 'Monty' canal, continually looking for somewhere to stop. But there is no where.

The shallow banks make it impossible to get the boat in close enough to get tied up

At a place called Heath Houses there's a bridge, a train line and a bend! That's about as exciting as it got! The canal was shallow and slow going, we grounded a few times making very slow progress, and eventually we spotted some 48 hr moorings at a place called Queens Head!

We moor up here not knowing what's to come in the middle of the night!

The towpath was soggy and boggy, there was a road right beside the boat and lorries thundered past us continually all night, and early morning, all going to the lorry depot at the other end! Not ideal as we like peace and quiet!

Early morning mist on the Montgomery Canal.... you have to get up at stupid o'clock to see this!

The Queens Head pub, in Queens Head, at 5.30 in the morning!

On Monday 5th May we got up oober early, we were kept awake all night as predicted, by thundering great lorries speeding past the boat on the mooring. So at 5.30 we woke up and by 6.30am we were on our way down the Monty. The sun was out and it was a beautiful morning, best part of the day!

The first of the three Aston locks

We went the short distance to the first of the three Aston locks, all set ready for us. Paul and Jack walked the towpath and I glided through the still waters, out in the green lush countryside once more.

Paul and Jack walk between the three locks, the sun's shining and it's a beautiful morning

It was pretty, quiet and really nice below the locks. Only wish we'd known, we would have moored there and had a much quieter night!

Heading under the narrow low bridges we made our way to the navigation's end

We went under some narrow and shallow bridges and out into rural England once more.

Looking back towards Measbury Marsh

We got to Measbury Marsh, there's a few boats moored here, a nice pub and a water services point.

Paul operates the lift bridge while I continue the 100 yds to the turning point

Half a mile on was the end of navigation, through bridge 81 which was a lift bridge.

This is as far as we can go, the turning point is to the right of the picture... and what a lovely place to live!

While Paul operated the bridge I went through and turned the boat round in the winding hole.

End of navigation.... reedy and blocked off

The canal has been partly restored, but only for 7 miles. It is being worked on as we speak to extend navigation another few miles.

After turning the boat round here, I head off back up the canal to the lift bridge

But for now this is as far as we can go. We had done 3 locks and 3 miles this morning to get to the end, so we headed back the way we came, under the lift bridge and up to the locks.

Back through Measbury Marsh, past the moored boats outside the pub...

... we headed past our last night's mooring spot, lorries still thundering down the road right next to the canal

We cruised on 7 miles and did 8 locks to the beginning of the Monty where it met the Llangollen canal once again. We were there by 11am, the lock keeper, Amy, wasn't there till 12 so we chatted to other boaters and waited our turn to go up the 4 remaining locks.

We waited our turn and went into the final two staircase locks

We head back out on to the Llangollen Canal, its a left turn at the junction

Looking back leaving the Montgomery Canal behind.... 

We were at the top by 12.30pm and after a cheery wave to Amy we were once again on the Llangollen.

Back on the Llangollen we found a cute little spot on the 48's

We only went on another mile and spotted some 48 hr moorings by bridge 4W. 

Our front door view....

... and looking out the side windows we could see the mountains of Wales

It was quiet and peaceful here, no busy roads anywhere near, just fields and the lovely sound of birds singing. We found a lovely walk for Jack and he had a lovely run about.

Daedalus is more like a tank than a narrow boat, very unique and different to most boats

Later on in the evening we spotted a boat we recognised from the Kennet & Avon canal, and from the Staffs & Worcs canal, called Daedalus, owners Pat and Simon. They spotted us too and pulled their boat in behind us! After chatting out on the towpath we went in for dinner and later all met up on their boat for a lovely chatty evening!

Jack has a great run about in the grassy fields

We had an amazingly quiet night, woken again by the sun streaming in the windows, we don't mind that one bit! After our walk over the grassy fields we said our goodbyes to Pat and Simon and we set off down the canal.

There were hire boaters all over the canal....

This one decided he didn't want anyone following him so he pulled over to let us pass!

There were copious amounts of hire boats about, none really seem to know what they were doing! We had hire boats pulling out in front of us, on the wrong side of the canal, side ways at bridge holes and banking their boats on bends! All over the canal they were, it did keep us amused tho, made us laugh!

It's a very pretty part of the canal

The canal is pretty hard going. It is river fed so there's a constant current and were going upstream, it's shallow and narrow and vegetation is very overgrown on the offside banks. It's twisty and turny with shallows on every bend.

We got to New Marton Bottom Lock

We crawl along slowly till we eventually reach the first of the New Marton locks.

The hire boat in front decided the lock landing would be a good place to stop for a fry up!

Oh my god! There's a hire boat moored on the lock landing and all the occupants are sitting down to breakfast! Luckily a boat is leaving the lock as we get there and I can cruise straight in. In and out the next lock and we're on our way again.

There's boats all over the place, the one on the side pulls out right in front of us!

... and this hire boat decided to have a closer look at the pretty yellow gorse bush!

The countryside is really pretty here, the sun's out, there's lovely tall trees lining the canal, rolling grassy meadows too and we can see the mountains of Wales in the distance! Lovely! Feels like were on holiday now!

Little bridges appear on sharp corners....

...making some people slam into reverse, and go into the bank! Like these hire boaters having to pole themselves out!

We're quite high up on a mountain, you can just see the roof of this house lower down and the Welsh mountains too!

We get to Chirk at 12 noon, a lovely area with a 'practice' aqueduct before the BIG ONE in Pontcysylite!

A beautiful place to stop for lunch, so beautiful we decide to stay here for the night

But we see a row of moored boats on a pretty embankment on the side of a huge hill and decide to pull over for lunch.

Moored up at Chirk, there's a strong smell of wild garlic... and it's right beside the boat! 

There's a strong smell of garlic here and discover the hill sides and woodlands are covered in wild garlic! Yum! Well get some of that later!

We go and explore the 'practice aqueduct' at Chirk

... and walk the Chirk tunnel

... and the beautiful woodland cutting out the other side

We go out with Jack to explore the area, we walk the Chirk aqueduct, walk through the tunnel, along the top of cuttings, fields and footpaths, through woods and eventually after 2 hours we make it back to the boat!

Looking down from the tunnel entrance towards the aqueduct

It's a beautiful area, so interesting, so gobsmackingly jaw dropping!

Boats come and go all afternoon, we decide to stay here the night but with no telly or Internet we have a quiet night with a DVD!

The sun shines down the canal as we walk Jack in the morning

The train speeds over the viaduct above us as we walk the aqueduct on a sunny morning

On Wednesday 7th April we walked Jack through a field of bunnies, he was like a kid in a sweet shop! Ran and ran and ran! We left our lovely mooring spot by 8am, keen to go over the aqueduct and be on our way.

Armed with lovely wild garlic in a carrier bag we set off in the sunshine but with rain forecast, through the wooded embankments high up over us on one side, and the steep drop over the hill the other!

We head off from our pretty mooring spot, just around the corner...

... and we're perched in an iron trough high above the river valley

Round the corner and we we're straight on the aqueduct, it's less than half the length of the BIG ONE, and has a wide towpath on each side! So it's a doddle! We chug slowly over, taking in the beautiful views from such a lovely vantage point!

We're nearly over and a boat comes out of the tunnel and waits for us to get over the aqueduct

As soon as we get to the other side we're straight into Chirk Tunnel, this is pretty short at 459 yds and we're straight in. It's a dry one, narrow with a towpath on one side. The boat struggles through against the current of the river stream, but we get out the other side into daylight again.

Leaving the tunnel on the other side....

... wild garlic lines the floor of the woodland beside the canal, hmmm, lovely smell!

The smell of wild garlic hit us straight away, it was blanketing the tall woodland floor of the tunnel cutting, it was lovely. Smell was amazing!

Going through the Whitehouse tunnel, short and dry

We cruised another couple of glorious miles, then the short Whitehouse tunnel and onwards towards Pontcysylite.

Aaagh! It's chaos here as we approach the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, hire boats everywhere! 

We were on the side of a huge hill, the deep river valley was way down below us to our right and the hill was high over our heads to our left.

We cruise under the lift bridge, lifted up for us by another crew from another boat

After the lift bridge, another boater lifted it for us, we went round a sharp corner and there it was!

... and just around this corner...

The 1007yd long Pontcysylite Aqueduct, now a World Heritage Site. Built over 200 years ago and held together with a mortar made from lime and ox blood it stands 126 feet above the River Dee. The trough that holds the water was made of iron and sealed with Welsh flannel and lead all dipped in boiling sugar! And it's still standing with all original seals, with no leaks, 200 years on! The only improvements made have been to the towpath that runs along one side. There's just 12" of trough holding the water in on the other side, with a sheer drop down to the river valley!

... the aqueduct beckons!

Two boats went in front of us, then it was our turn. We slowly entered the opening of the aqueduct; we were against the flow of the river, in a narrow trough with inches to spare on either side.

Paul's loving it as we make our entrance to the narrow trough in the sky, I'm cacking myself!! 

Behind this grin is a very nervous girly! Our selfie on the aqueduct!

The wind was wild over the valley and on one side was a sheer drop, on the other side was a three foot wide towpath.

Looking back, one side has a narrow towpath and the other doesn't!

We made our way over, slowly, nearly coming to a stop half way over as the current in the narrow trough meant there was little water below us to make the propellor of the boat turn!

The river Dee, looking down from the aqueduct

The views were stunning so we didn't mind going slowly, we just took in the amazing sights as we chugged across. A baby could have crawled faster than we went! But soon we were over the other side, breathed a relieved breath and were very proud that we had overcome our fear of the unknown and done it!

We did'nt turn left under the bridge, we went straight on to Trevor, to moor up in the basin

We had now officially gone into Wales, and boy didn't we know it! This was really Wales now with the mountains and river valley and rocky rapid river below us!

Hire boats moored up at base, with only one boat wide gap to get through, we head on to Trevor basin

We didn't turn the sharp left turn into the Llangollen canal but went straight ahead into Trevor basin, did a quick turn and we moored up in a lovely little spot in the basin.

Out of the mayhem and into the peaceful Trevor basin, the tourists don't come here.... I hope!

For the next few days we explored the area. We walked the river Dee valley and the hills around and climbed the wooded valleys and rocky rivers.

Looking up from the river valley, up towards to top of the aqueduct

And this is what its all about! Stunning, clever and over 200 years old!

The old pump house is a bit of a blot on the landscape here but Jack's not bothered!

Those little dots on the aqueduct are people walking over!

We go off and explore the woodlands

... and find this pretty road bridge across the river

Looking over the aqueduct from near to Trevor basin

... and here's Trevor basin sign... were in Wales!!

Lyndsey came all the way from Northampton to see us, we had a great time, Jack swam in the river, Lyndsey paddle boarded over the aqueduct, we picked more wild garlic and cycled down the final 4 and a half miles of the remaining canal to Llangollen.

We walked the aqueduct...

... and the rain clouds came over the mountains

Posing by the aqueduct... little people in the distance

And posing in the woodland, what a special boy he is!

A narrowboat cruises over the trough that we've just been in looking pretty weird high up on the aqueduct

Above people looking down below at Lyndsey paddle boarding on the River Dee

... and here she is, gliding through the water so gracefully...

... while Jack runs about in the shallow water like a mad dog!

We all go off cycling the 4 and a half miles to Llangollen down the canal and explore

Standing on the bridge in Llangollen over the river Dee

We find an amazing pie shop... 

... and of course have to sample the local produce

Not sure about sampling this mans local sausage....

And on our way back the views were amazing!

On Saturday we left early in the sunshine to cruise the last section of the Llangollen canal, we were on the edge of the mountains on what you could only describe as a man made ledge, high up rocky sides on one side and deep valleys on the other.

We leave Trevor Basin on a glorious sunny morning

... and head off down the beautiful canal towards Llangollen

The views were just jaw dropping....

One stunning view after another....

... and around every corner there was another stunning view

This narrow section had a passing place, most didn't!

So Paul walks ahead to check no one's coming...

All the way the canal was narrow and we were against the current of the river..

And there was a new view around every corner!

Here wild garlic was growing along the towpath, hmmmm, lovely!

This lift bridge is permanently up, so no muscle needed here then!

Now the channel narrows again in a twisty turny narrow section...

... with high rocky sides to our right and a sheer drop down the mountain to our left

The canal was very narrow in some parts with concrete and rocky sides, so narrow there were warning signs instructing you to send someone ahead to make sure there was no boats coming towards you as the channel was only one boat wide! 

Our approach to Llangollen towpath moorings, electric was provided too as you can see from the towpath

We chugged along slowly, the current of the river (the river is the feeder channel for the canal) now quite strong in the narrow channels. 

Welcome sign to Llangollen moorings, but we head onwards towards the basin...

Still narrow, but apparently wide enough for two boats to pass

This was the twisty turny narrow bit just before we approached the basin...

Looking down into the town of Llangollen, we're higher than the roof tops here as its in the Dee valley below

We only met a couple of boats on the way, it was still only 9 am when we arrived in Llangollen basin, the 48 hr moorings. There was a charge for stopping here, it's a tourist destination so that's fair enough. We paid our £12 for 48 hrs, we did ask for longer but werent allowed!

Soon after we get to the wide expanse of the Llangollen basin, heading for the little corner spot straight on...

We pulled into the large open basin and slotted into a little spot in the far corner, very pretty surroundings, grassy and green all around.

We'd made it, we were now at the end of the navigation!

... and here we are... the last bit of the Llangollen completed, now for our holiday!

After some breakfast we set off to explore the beautiful town. The river Dee runs through under a beautiful bridge, rapids and rocks make this a perfect place for white water sports!

Veiw from the train, canoeists play in the white water of the river Dee

We book up and take a trip in the diesel train to Carrog station, a 12 mile trip out into the Welsh mountains. 

Selfie again, this time in the diesel train on the way to Carrog

... and Jack's got his seat beside Lyndsey, it may have something to do with the pie she's eating!

We all (including Jack!) went on the diesel train out to Carrog to Horseshoe Falls to view the amazing manmade waterfall that feeds the Llangollen canal, and headed back to Llangollen on the steam train. 

As we set off Jack got nervous and sat with his dad for comfort but still didn't like it!

The Station was in the middle of nowhere, just wind and camp sites all around

This was the ladies room, and the notice on the wall beside the loo read....(see below pic)

I don't really fancy having a hair wash here though!

The old diesel train at Carrog station after dropping off its passengers

Looking down to the river Dee from the train, and a hotel in the distance by the river

We walked over this bridge to get to the Horseshoe Falls, view from the train

Horseshoe Falls, the feeder for the canal to make it possible to still use the canal today

A crew of white water bods slide over the falls and away they go, down the rapids of the Dee

The station to the right of the picture, we make our way back to catch the steam train back to Llangollen

Inside the steam train, old fashioned compartments I remember way back when I was a girl!

Arriving back at Llangollen, the steam train stops to let off the passengers

It was beautiful, the mountains around made a stunning backdrop. Jack hated every minute of the train, especially the steam horn! In the evening we went to a lovely cafe/resteraunt called Dee Side cafe.

We ate a yummy meal in this cafe in the evening beside the river Dee

Great huge plateful of good honest food for not a lot of money, and we had a window seat overlooking the river Dee!

We've had plenty of rain here, the river has already risen by about a foot!

On Sunday it rained and the wind really got up for most of the day. Lyndz set off for her long journey home and we hid behind the curtains peeking out only to watch boats coming and going in the rain. 

The skies are grey and threatening rain over the basin

By lunch time the rain was lighter so we set off to climb a small mountain and look at some castle ruins, and of course the views from the top.

We set off for the top of this hill to explore the ruins of the old castle

On our way up, the views from this house on the way were amazing!

Paul admires the view while Jack sniffs out rabbits!

Seems like we're nearly there, but its still a long way up

Looking down into the valley, over rolling fields and woodlands

And thats the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, 4 and a half miles away!

It was a great walk, Jack loved it running over the sheep fields and climbing the rocky hills. When we eventually reached the top the rain came down in buckets!

The sign at the top tells you all about the history of the castle...

... but there's not much left

Looking out the front door, Jack's waiting too!

You can see for miles on a clear day, but we picked a rainy and windy day!

What a view from this hole!

We found some places to shelter as the rain came down horizontally

Dressed for the weather, the wind picked up rapidly

The wind got up and we sheltered in the ruins of the castle hiding behind old broken walls and mounds of rocks. We didn't get the best view from the top because of the rain over the mountains, but enjoyed our climb anyway!

Jack's ears were like a windsock, flapping about in the breeze

We soon left the castle on the hill, the wind and rain finally beating us!

Back at home we settled in for the evening, rain still hammering on the boat all night.

Monday 12th May and the rain kept us awake most of the night and it was still raining in the morning.

The river Dee has risen by a few feet, a different look to the river now

The river Dee had risen by a few foot by then, water roaring over the rapids at a good speed. We went into town to fill our fridge, the butchers, greengrocers and delicatesian were all on our list!

So Llangollen is short for something then....try pronouncing this!

After our shop we got back to the boat and the rain had eventually stopped; it was twelve noon, we had to leave our spot by 4pm so we figured that as it wasn't raining and it wasn't windy we would make our get away now!

The basin was still and calm, the rain had stopped and it was time to leave...

Leaving the basin, we're on our way out of Llangollen, regretfully

The sun actually came out, it was calm with no wind, we untied the ropes, did the turn in the basin and we were on our way back down the Llangollen canal, back the way we came.

We follow this hire boat as they sped past us while we were waiting for the all clear on the narrow section

We headed out of town, through the narrow single file twisty section where Paul and Jack walked to make sure nothing was coming towards us. There was a boat coming so I pulled over and let it pass.

A boat goes under the road bridge, on a tight bend in the narrow canal

We cruised pretty smoothly all the 4 and a half miles to Trevor now we've got the current of the river with us. The boat glided through the water, the canal perched on a channel on a ledge on the side of a mountain; the views were stunning. I felt quite sad to be leaving this amazing place, I loved it so much, sad to think I may never see anywhere on the boat quite so stunning as this!

Looking back at the awesome scenery of Wales

Arriving in Trevor once again, we do the sharp right turn...

We reached Trevor and slowly went under the bridge of the junction, we did a sharp right and waited on the side for a couple of boats to continue their voyage across the Pontcysyllte aqueduct towards us.

This hire boat totally messed up as he came over the aqueduct, lumping into us and the trip boat waiting to cross

As we sat there waiting we got a mighty biff all the way down one side as a hire boater messed up getting round the junction, and if that wasn't enough he slammed it in full speed reverse and scraped the boat again as if opening a large tin can!

We nervously made our way back over, not alot between us and down there!

After a few chosen words he was gone, it was our turn to go over the 1007yd narrow aqueduct, so slowly we chugged over, the current with us this time, not a drop of wind but still needing extra layers on our already soiled nappies!

Paul steers the boat while I make my excuses and hop onto the towpath to take pictures!

This time I was on the 'non towpath' side, Paul was steering, but I soon hopped off and was nowhere near the sheer drop of hundreds of feet!

Although relieved to have got over the other side, I wouldn't have missed it for the world! It was breathtaking! Once off the aqueduct, we went round the corner, Paul opened the lift bridge and we were off on our way.

We spot this railway viaduct over the valley just up from the aqueduct we've just been on

We cruised for about a mile and pulled into the 48 hr moorings by Irish Bridge No. 27, it was still only 3pm.

We stop at the 48's here just around the corner from the aqueduct

After a cuppa we wandered the hilly fields with Jack, had a lovely explore. Boats still chuggin about, mainly hire boats, it's a busy place here.

We ate lovely welsh steak for our tea, followed by home made welsh cakes, all bought from Llangollen, all local produce. And all lovely!

Leaving the mooring we head under this road bridge...

On Tuesday, 13th May we set off after our Jack walk, it's busy again today. It's also pretty cloudy but at least it's dry!

We headed back towards Chirk, following hire boats all the way. It seemed the most that were coming towards us were on the wrong side of the canal, we probably grounded out about 6 times trying to avoid them but they didn't seem to notice!

Boats everywhere as we wait for our entrance into Whitehouse tunnel

Making our way to Chirk... 

We went through Whitehouse Tunnel, Chirk Tunnel and back over the Chirk aqueduct.

Back over Chirk aqueduct...

... and we were back in England

Round a couple of tight corners and we were out of Chirk, open fields and countryside all around us we'd left the stunning mountainous landscape of Wales and were back over the border and into England.

Leaving New Martons Lock, this time no hire boats were stopping off for breakfast!

A few miles later and we'd gone through the New Martons locks, past the junction with the Montgomery canal and another couple of miles on we pulled over for bacon and egg sarnies with fresh welsh crusty bread!

After an hour we set off again another few miles and found a lovely rural 48 hr mooring spot by bridge No. 64.

Our stop over for the night, peace and quiet here

The map book said there were walks here but they weren't great, so we found our own in what looked like a lovely field Jack would like. Well, we were right on one account, Jack loved it, but we were wrong thinking it was a lovely field! He came out looking like a different dog, an 'all black' one! And absolutely stinking! He'd been in a boggy soggy part of the field, needed dunking in the canal really! But a few watering cans later, and a bowl of hot soapy water we could nearly bear the smell of him again! It was lovely and quiet here, not a soul about, just as we like it!

What a wonderful back garden we have for this evening!

The next day we set off early in the sunshine, the canal was still and we only met a couple of boats on our way to Ellesmere where we pulled into the arm and went to Tescos.

Stopping off at Tescos again, in Ellesmere

Ellesmere mere, it had a blue-green algae problem so we didn't stop long, its poisonous to dogs

We wandered through the pretty town, ate chips on the market place and took Jack to the huge mere by the town. By 1 pm we set off again in the glorious sunshine turning left back onto the main canal again.

We head off through Ellesmere tunnel...

We cruised through Ellesesmere tunnel, past Blakes mere, Coles mere and into beautiful woodland and green countryside once again.

Past the meres and woodlands surrounding us we go

We'd only gone about 4 miles when we spotted some lovely 48's by bridge 50. There were woodlands to one side where we discovered we couldn't get in so we found a great field for Jack to scamper about in.

Jack's knackered after his walk, he just wants a cool bit of grass to lay in! Unfortunately we couldn't get in the woods

The sun was still hot and bright so we decided to set off again and went on to bridge 47 where we stopped for the night.

Nice little quiet spot by bridge 47 was the order of the day, and we found it

It was quiet here, one other boat was moored up, a hire boat obviously! We'd had a great day but were now ready to settle in for the evening.

What a lovely evening we had, a beautiful front garden view!

On Thursday 15th May I wandered the fields while Paul did the toilet and filled up our diesel tank from the gerry cans. When I got back we were ready to set off again, it was still only 8.30am, we cruised while eating our breakfast!

Past Whixall Mosses we went, looks like a desert or prairie!

We went past the Whixall mosses, straight canal all the way. 

C&RT moved their big machinery and waved us on, towards the lift bridge

There were C&RT workers mending the banks of the canal here but they waved us on past their big machinery and we went through the lift bridge where the crew from another boat had already lifted up the bridge for us!

Hire boats come in handy sometimes! This man had beaten us to the bridge!!

After a couple more lift bridges we were at Whitchurch lift bridge and then only a mile later we'd got to the top of Grindley Brook locks.

Paul lifts the bridge at Whitchurch...

Here we filled up with water, dumped our loo and Paul went to the garage and filled up the three gerry cans with cheap diesel.

Waiting in line at the top of Grindley Brook Locks

It was 12.30 when we joined the queue of 7 boats in front and soon there were 7 boats behind us too! By 2.30pm it was our turn to go down the 3 staircase locks, followed by the next 3 locks and within 45 mins we were down all 6 locks and on our way again.

Leaving Grindley Brook locks, it only took us 45 minutes to get down, but 3 hours to wait in the queue!

Only a mile later and we got to Poveys lock, and a quarter of a mile after that one we came to Willey More lock.

Nice little mooring, right by the Willey Moor Pub!

Waiting for the pub to open after our long and tiring walk!

We stopped just before the lock on some 48 hr moorings, we promised ourselves we would go to the pub on the lock for tea!

The beautiful fields, full of scampering rabbits, on a hot sunny afternoon.... and what a view!

After a fabulous walk through rabbit filled fields, Jack was in heaven, we went to the pub and sat outside by the lock and had a slap up meal. And the sun still shone too! We had a peaceful night here despite the earlier loud motorbikes racing along the road in the distance making a horrendous noise, spooked Jack out a bit tho!

On our way again, in a queue of hire boats...

On Friday 16th May we woke to beautiful sunshine streaming in the windows, it's another glorious day! We had a lovely walk over grassy fields with Jack and by 9am we were on our way again, cruising down the canal and enjoying every bit of it!

As we left two boats came past us so they got to the lock first, we just had to wait in line till it was our turn. Turned out we had to wait at every one of the 8 locks we did for a very slow hire boat to get through. 

Lifting the bridge at Wrenbury, stopping the traffic in the process!

Paul had to lift all the lift bridges, even waiting at the Wrenbury lift bridge for two more boats to come through... what goes around comes around, hey!

The sign at Baddily Locks

But it was a glorious day, loving it all we were! We went on through the 3 Baddily locks, all against us and all with strong weir streams coming out down the bottom in a torrent of fast water.

The strong weir stream that comes round the side of the locks pushes you about as you leave..

We get to the two Swanily locks, soon through and we decided to stop at the lovely 48's between bridges 5 and 4.

Paul fishes into the evening, its beautiful here!

The sun was still beautiful, the countryside flat and large open fields all around us. We had lunch and decided to explore the lovely fields around us, Jack ran like a dog possessed!

Back at the boat we sat out in the sunshine, enjoying watching boats going on their way.

And the sunset just finishes the day of lovely!

The sunset was lovely in the evening, Paul fished to his hearts content and I sat out till it got chilly.

On Saturday 17th May it was another fantastic sunny day. Paul walked Jack over the same fields as before, this time they were heaving with cows, frisky noisy and quite interested in Jack! So he did a detour to stay out of their way, they still had a lovely walk!

Leaving the mooring onward to the Hurleston Locks

We set off in the sunshine, only a mile to the 4 Hurleston locks.

As we got to the locks there was a boat coming out the top lock, so I took the boat in and Paul set to and emptied the lock. At the bottom of the second one, as the gates opened up it was manic chaos!

As the lock gates opened this is the view I had... people and boats everywhere!

There's only a tiny pound between the locks and there was a small plastic cruiser waiting to come up and a narrow boat waiting in the lock as there was nowhere else for him to go!

I pulled over right on the side for the narrow boat to come out the lock, so I could get in...

A lot of shifting and manoeuvring about and we'd got it sorted, the plastic boat in the lock after I left it, the narrow boat out the lock and I had to get round the narrow boat to get in my next lock!

Looking back at three of the 4 Hurleston Locks

It was a bit chaotic, but we got in and out the next two locks only meeting a couple of other boats on the way.

As the bottom lock gates opened, the sign saying turn left was there, out of the mayhem, onwards to Middlewich

At the bottom of the 4 locks was the Hurleston junction which meets the Shropshire Union canal, the same one we left a few weeks ago.

Looking back at the entrance to the Llangollen, A BEAUTIFUL CANAL, we'll miss it!

This time we did a sharp left and we were back on the Shroppie, on our way to the Middlewich arm, our link through to the Trent & Mersey canal.