2 June 2015 – Llangollen to Poachers Pocket
Weather was dreadfully so left Llangollen in rain and high
wind in a convoy through the one way bit. Caroline and Jane had walkie talkies
ahead. Some of the boaters are quiet impatient.
Crossing the Pont Aqueduct it was very windy and on down through the tunnels and back over Chirk Aqueduct without any incidents apart from a nose to nose with a hirer who was too fast and in the middle of a sharp corner. It’s only paint.
Wind was so high this was calm on our way up. Jeff ahead is holding his boat to keep Caroline calm. I think Pete just closed his eyes.
Wind still blowing going over Chirk though no longer raining.
Convoy through the tunnel
Moored up at Poaches pocket by 2pm and Vicki and I went to
lunch and back to listen to the cricket from Leeds, a notable wind by NZ by 199
runs. Another visit to the pub for dinner and a skype to Clara for her 20th
birthday.
TOTAL – 9 miles, 2 major aqueducts, 2 lift bridges and 2 tunnels
3 June – Poachers Pocket to Ellesmere
Inverter not working batteries low. Strange as we were on
shore power the night before and had run for 5 hours. The washing was done
while we were on shore power maybe it wasn’t.
Said goodbye to our fellow boaters John and Jane as we
headed off to Ellesmere.
Supermarket beside canal and supplies needed. Boat
booked for tomorrow for 200 hour maintenance.
Moored on town arm with Jeff and Caroline for first Barbie
dinner.
Also meet up with Di again who we had meet on Lock 15, she and her
husband spend 6 months here and 6 months in the Bay of Island. Their Narrowboat
is called Duke.
TOTAL – 9 miles – 2 locks
4 June – Ellesmere to Whixall Arm
Rang Marina at 10.30 and told
service can happen at 11.30am. We were up early and Vicki bought new flowers
and herbs for roof garden and replanted 2 of them. Batteries still low so we
shall try disconnecting all 240v devices.
Service done by 3pm and on the
move. Also filled up with diesel and had pump out – 13 days since last done.
The motor was hard to start as air pocket in system, it happens but fixed.
Caught up with Jeff and Caroline
at Whixall near Whitchurch.
TOTAL - 6 miles – 0 locks – 1 tunnel
5 June – Whixall Moss to Wrenbury
Set off at 9.15 head down stream
past the lamented Waggoneers and through to Whitchurch and on to the first of 7
locks.
Pete still sad that Waggoners is no longer
Had a stop for a drink at Willey Moor Lock and Fenris pasted us again then continued onto Bridge 22 for night.
The boat that made us want to do this trip
Still with Jeff and Caroline. Weather has improved dramatically and another Barbie on tow path and a haircut for Vicki by Caroline much to the amusement of Narrow boaters passing.
TOTAL – 14 miles – 10 locks – 8 lift bridge – 2 small aqueducts
6 June – Wrenbury to Cholmondeston (Middlewich Branch)
Weather beautiful again set off
around 9.30 through Wrenbury and lift bridges and 9 locks to Hurlston Junction.
Interesting mix of boaters and queues to get down the set of locks.
Turned back onto Shropshire Union back to Barbridge Junction and made a sharp right onto Middlewich. Stopped for the night on 48 hour moorings at the midway point between Cholmondeston Lock and Minshullhill Lock. There are tables and cute little steel frames to put the disposable Barbie’s on.
Happy hour and catch up with computer and reading papers
TOTAL – 7 miles – 10 locks – 2 lift bridges – 1 small aqueduct
7 June – Middlewich branch to Wheelock (Trent & Mersey)
Set off at 9 and finished the Middlewich branch with a stop for lunch at Bridge 29 with a walk to Tesco for top up shop, BBQ, beer, wine and steaks.
Stables converted into holiday lets
Carried on through Wardle Lock –
queues from 3 directions, interesting lock boats everywhere. We turned a sharp
right back on to Trent & Mersey and through King Locks which has a pub
right on it so you becoming the afternoon entertainment. Trent is wide and not
much boat traffic and a few locks pass the afternoon.
Kings Lock the start of a new journey
Check this bridge out small sign on it stating two different sytles. Some boats obviously didn't see it if you look on second bridge left
Couldn't believe the amount of chimney's
Vicki did her first 2 on the tiller and didn’t sink and managed to pull up for lockee twice. Saw an old style NB coming at us above the last lock and I jumped of and re-opened the top gate for him. Vicki gave way and around he came under a bridge, towing another NB on an A frame. Towboat and trailer, they will have to disconnect and go down the locks separately, that will be fun.
We stopped for the night on rings in the country for the night and another Barbie. Jeff is definitely getting the hang of a barbie.
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