Set off at 0800 to start the 111 mile 79 lock journey back to Stourport. As we passed the wharf at Llangollan the same friendley chap who operated the horse boat we spoke to on our arival wished us well. "Hope you have a good season" I said. "Could do with it the last couple of years have been bad for trade" he replied.
Struck concrete lining the bank a couple of miles out of Llangollan causing the boat to judder. Dont know how it happened as it was on a straight section. Just one of those things.Still very cold but we made good progress back over the Pontcysalte aquaduct then the Chirk aquaduct followed by Frankton Junction the the Shropshire Meres. Moored at Hampton bank having covered 25 miles. A lot for a days boating and ahead of schedule.
Struck concrete lining the bank a couple of miles out of Llangollan causing the boat to judder. Dont know how it happened as it was on a straight section. Just one of those things.Still very cold but we made good progress back over the Pontcysalte aquaduct then the Chirk aquaduct followed by Frankton Junction the the Shropshire Meres. Moored at Hampton bank having covered 25 miles. A lot for a days boating and ahead of schedule.
Set off early again next day to cover the ground back to Grindley Brook
staircase lock where a friendly lock keeper helped us on our way. “I much
prefer hire boaters to people who own their own boats-they are eager to learn”
he said with some truth.
Very cold still. Bought a Balaclava in Llangollan!
Very cold still. Bought a Balaclava in Llangollan!
This seems to be the land of free range eggs with every lock
advertising them. At Quoisley Lock a local farmer had several full boxes on
display with a “Honesty” box for the money. As we approached this lock there
was a “Gentleman of the Road” (He looked the part complete with white beard and
pipe) lurking around the table. We
passed through the lock with a curt “gu’day” but as we moved on we noticed he
secreted a quantity of eggs under his long flowing coat. Presumably the local
farmer thinks “Those boaters are a dishonest lot they take my eggs and never
leave the money”
Tomorrow I have to go to Bristol so we moored up at Wrenbury. There is
a local station “request stop” (ie you flag the train down like a bus) at Wrenbury
on the Shrewsbury to Crewe
line so we had a walk out to find the station. About a mile and half
unfortunately. Nice village though with houses displaying little posters in
their windows saying “No extension to cement works here”
Went to Cotton Arms for nice pint of “Shropshire Gold” and
Scampi and Chips and Joanne had Belly Pork and mash. Nice friendly pub.
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