Wrenbury to Grindley Brook on the Llangollen Canal

Monday, 29 March 2010 09:11

Two more Wrenbury Lift Bridges to do ....

I walked ahead to open Wrenbury Lift Bridge - easy, as it is electrified and I only held up two cars. One more Wrenbury Lift Bridge to do ....

Ah, but it is a "leave it as you find it bridge" - the sign at the bridge says so!

Wrenbury Frith Lift Bridge

Our first lock of the day was Marbury Lock. On our way back down, I would like to walk into Marbury, as it sounds a lovely village. But we were not stopping this time and I went to do the lock.

In Marbury Lock

There was a really cold breeze and it was very overcast - winter is on the way back, I fear. Time to get the thermals out again! The A49 (Tarporley to Whitchurch road) crosses the canal at Quoisley. I could hear the traffic as I approached, particularly the racing motorcycles. It is a very straight road and conducive to speed merchants!

Quoisley Road Bridge from Quoisley Lock

Quoisley Lock sign - an unusual one

By Willey Moor Lock, the A49 has left the canal and the pub at the Lock is a very attractive proposition for thirsty walkers and narrowboaters! In fact we had some help from the crew of the narrowboat  (Black Swan aka Mucky Duck) that was moored just below the lock. They were enjoying a drink in the sun, while waiting to gongoozle  - yes, the sun had finally shown itself!

Willey Moor Lock Tavern

Povey's Lock is just around the corner and here I took a photo of the bywash as we were leaving. John remembers being blown across and drawn against this in 2005, making entry to the lock very trickey.

I wondered how novice hirers manage with these very fast bywashes, as they need to be approached at speed, both above and below the locks. Hire boats may well come in for a fair bit of bashing over the season!

Looking back at Povey's Lock

Although it was getting very near our usual tea and cake time, we decided that we would tackle the Grindley Brook flight ( three locks and a staircase of three) before mooring. We were enjoying the sunshine and the forecast did not look so good for the next day.

The imposing railway embankment before Grindley Brook loomed up .........

Llangollen Canal, Wrenbury to bottom of Grindley Brook Locks

2.37 hours, 5.99 miles, 4 locks