Back on the motorway, oops sorry, Llangollen Canal

Monday, 12 April 2010 19:41

We turned west at Frankton Junction

Bridge numbers start from 1 again due to the complicated history of the Ellesmere Canal. Bridge 1, Rowsons Bridge, is also bridge 70 and Lockgate Bridge 71 is on the Montgomery Canal.

Rowsons Bridge

All the bridges have been re-numbered since we were here in 2005. They have had a "W" added. We presume this is because in an emergency directing the emergency services to Bridge 1 on the Llangollen Canal could send them to Hurleston Bridge (1), above Hurleston Locks, or to Rowsons Bridge, just beyond Frankton Junction.

Maestermyn Bridge (5W) is an awkward bridge and true to form we met another boat coming the other way - a bit of reversing (made easier by the Llangollen eastward flow) on our part and it was sorted out. The Narrowboat Inn and Maestermyn Marine are immediately after the bridge.

Polletts Bridge (6W) is a turnover bridge and the slope down to the towpath is really steep!

Polletts Bridge towpath change

The narrowboats we saw today seemed reluctant to regulate their speed. Going "upstream" as we were, you push against the flow, as well as the water pushed ahead by passing narrowboats. If these boats are speeding, as well as coming downstream, it can make life interesting!

Most of the boats that passed us were creating a breaking wave, an indication of too much speed for the conditions of the canal. It also damages the banks, making the canal even more shallow as it erodes the bank.

I have called the Llangollen canal a motorway. Why? Partly because of speeding narrowboats and also because every so often there are "jams". We encountered our first at New Marton Locks. John hung back mid-stream while we waited for the one waiting to ascend and an hire boat to descend and exit the bottom lock. When I walked up to the lock I saw a queue above! The "jam" of three boats rapidly became five as we ascended the lock.

In New Marton Bottom Lock

It was the same story as we arrived at New Marton Top Lock, there was a real crowd here! Again I walked up as another hire boat came out. Another narrowboat was just joining the queue and in the process blocking New Marton Bridge (12W) above the lock.

Cottage (shop on a wall) by New Marton Top Lock

The crew of an hire boat helped us through the lock - thanks Andy and crew! John had a chat with Andy about castles in narrowboat art and we were on our way past the second "jam".

Queue above New Marton Lock

Many of our fellow narrowboaters and boating magazine readers will recognise this narrowboat on its mooring before New Marton Bridge.

Nb Bill O'Toms

We carried on past the water point and moorings and spotted some new moorings with open views about halfway to the next bridge, St Martin's Moor Bridge (13W).

Epiphany moored

The countryside is lovely with the Welsh hills and Watt's Dyke visible in the distance. The sun was really shining by now (11.5 degrees). Are we really nearly in Wales?

Once moored we were being continually passed by narrowboats, most going east and all maintaining our feelings about being on a motorway :-)

Llangollen Canal, Frankton Junction to NW of New Marton Bridge

1 hour 57 minutes, 4.03 miles, 2 locks