How about this for a morning view?

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 20:06

Rural Idyll on the Llangollen Canal

Our companions were not there last night!

We set off in glorious sunshine (despite the cows sitting down!) - at last, no coats and caps on to shield us from the sun. A little further on we wondered if the owner of this boat knew something we didn't 

Noah's Ark?

St Martin's Moor Bridge (13W) has what looks like an old wharf and some lovely cottages. I was fascinated by the outside staircase on this one, but not so enamoured by the extension as we looked back!

Cottage with outside staircase

This cottage makes me wonder if it was once a warehouse. Apparently coal was once mined around St Martin's so maybe this was once a wharf.

Looking back at St Martin's Moor Bridge

I thought of making a print of this next photo and putting it in our bow window and somewhere on the stern. This narrowboat was moored on the off-side and his notice makes a useful reminder as the channel becomes more and more narrow towards Chirk.

What do good boaters do?

The Lion Quays complex before Moreton Bridge (17W) seems to have grown. The pontoons are still empty, despite the moorings being "free". Maybe it is the proximity of the busy A5 or the thought that nothing in this life is "free" and narrowboat crews would be expected to patronise the bar and restaurant! Maybe it was just the time of day we passed?

Lion Quays pontoons and bridge

The Llangollen Canal passes through Rhoswiel in a cutting and its canalside gardens are showing all the right signs of Spring - daffodils, primroses, cyclamen and forsythia.

At last a willow that has woken up too

We reached the moorings at the Poachers Pocket pub, just before Gledrid Bridge (19W). They were full, all except one beside the pub garden and children's play area. This suited us as we could see it was the only mooring that would give us a sight to the satellite for TV. Also, Mr Tesco could easily deliver our order via a gate from the pub carpark.

Moored outside the Poachers Pocket

Llangollen Canal, from between Bridges 12W and 13W to Glendrid Bridge 19W

1 hour 2 minutes, 2.20 miles, 0 locks