New lock gates and an old treasure

Friday, 02 April 2010 20:00

We were first down the Frankton Locks on the Montgomery Canal

This was the view from our stern, snow on the Welsh hills

The Lock Keeper, Colin, called us in and sent John off to set the middle or third lock. He worked me through the two staircase locks watched by three Police Offficers who had come in response to the theft of a digger below the bottom lock.

Colin at the lock gear

The new lock gates are impressive, particularly when viewed from the second staircase lock. I wonder how long it takes for them to weather and become less new looking?

Middle gates of staircase

John had the gate of the third lock open and ready for me. There was the first of the four boats coming up in the bottom lock. We would pass in the pound where narrowboat Cressy was converted for leisure use in 1929 by a local boat builder, Jack Beech.

Lock pound and cottage

Tom Rolt later took ownership and used her for his trip in 1939 that spawned his famous book Narrow Boat. The dry dock is now part of the pretty cottage garden, but the remains can be seen and a plaque on the towpath side explains the "old treasure". This plaque was unveiled in January 2009 by Sonia Rolt.

Remains of dry dock (note the model railway!)

There is just room for two narrowboats to pass with care

Below the bottom lock are moorings for those waiting to leave the "Monty" and the crew of the hire boat next in line helped John with the lock. Looking back at the flight, I snapped them entering the lock.

Almost immediately we could see the remains of the Weston Branch, now used for moorings. The old stable block has been converted to a  BW sani-station.

Weston Branch

The Viking hire boat was just leaving

The bridge blocking the disused canal could be seen as we  turned a sharp right under the first Monty Bridge. But it was number 71 - confused? I shall sort it out in the next blog

Montgomery Canal, Frankton Junction to Weston Branch

0.32 minutes, 0.5 miles, 4 locks