Monday 6th August
We set off before 10am as we had a long day ahead including 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels and 2 locks.
We stopped by the horse boat wharf as John was going to walk ahead with Dex and let me know if the way ahead was clear as we had to go through 2 narrow strips of canal. Luckily no boats were coming through so I was free to proceed.
The views were spectacular.
I picked John and Dex up after we had passed through the narrows and we soon approached the Ponycysyllte Aqueduct.
We moored up to wait for 3 boats coming across. Unbelievably these paddle boarders wanted to paddle board across!
Soon it was our turn to go over. John was steering again so I could concentrate on photos and video! Dex was safely inside.
John still hated every moment!
I found it totally thrilling.
Off the aqueduct and through Froncysyllte.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froncysyllte
We approached Chirk tunnel. Luckily there was a boat ahead of us so we could just follow them through.
At Chirk aqueduct we again had to wait for the way to become clear. The boat in front let us pass them as they were going slower than us.
I decided to walk across so I could take photos of Prairie making the crossing.
Soon we were across. Chirk Castle is nearby although we didn't have chance to go there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirk_Castle
We were amazed to see this lovely house empty with it's windows all smashed, such a waste when it was in such a picturesque location.
We passed the mooring with all the boat art at Monks bridge.
There were loads of day boats and hire boats around. We must have passed about 30 or more on today's journey. So glad it wasn't as busy as a normal August on the Llangollen!
Back past the Lion Quays hotel. Steve's boat was moored here, I had met him and his dog Albert when they were on their way past here before.
Back past St Martin's Moor where we had moored previously.
We reached the New Martin Locks. A hire boat was up ahead, they had a banner on the back saying Just Married. It reminded us of our honeymoon on a hire boat. This was their first lock so John went to help them through.
Back through Welsh Frankton Marina.
The newlyweds had moored up. Lunch perhaps? 😉
At this bridge we had no less than 5 boats to wait for as they all proceeded in a hire boat procession! We pulled over as it was easier to hold the boat with the rope.
We passed the entrance to the Montgomery canal. Goodbye Monty!
We were able to make good speed when there weren't any moored boats around. We still had a few miles to go before Ellesmere.
It was really busy but funnily enough there was one mooring spot, right where we had moored before!
Such a beautiful sunset that night.
No comments:
Post a Comment