Not the port, nor the Arm, not even overnight!

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 18:52

Ellesmere again, briefly followed by lots of "fun"!

Gosh - an early start - as we had some miles to put under our bow today! But first we had the two New Marton Locks to do and here we encountered hire boat novices. (We were all there once!)

New Marton Top Lock

All went well at the top lock and we were soon through, but the bottom lock was a different matter. The locks were set for us, as a narrowboat had just come up, but as we approached the bottom lock we could see people movement at the bottom gates. Whoever is on the tiller drops off the lockie (this time it was me) and hangs back waiting midstream, if possible, to save taking a rope ashore.

So I was dropped off and went to investigate. It was obvious that the person at the lock was having trouble, as she kept going backwards and forwards over the bottom gates and pushing them. As I neared I could see the problem - yes, you have guessed it! The top paddles were still open, no wonder the lock was not emptying!

During the course of emptying the lock and allowing the hire boat in and up, I explained the process of working a lock as the lady said she had never done it before. I also made the point, gently, about not taking someone else's lock and looking ahead. Believe it or not, she was very grateful for the hints and tips.

We finally made it and out of the bottom lock!

Onwards, towards Frankton Junction - we were almost tempted onto the Montgomery Canal again, but have other plans! So we continued on under Peters Bridge (69).

Peters Bridge

The Llangollen Canal now winds its way north towards Ellesmere, through yet more lovely countryside. We stopped at Ellesmere briefly to use the BW facilities.

This is Fly Boat Saturn's home, and there she was!

We turned right, away from Ellesmere and its Arm. We passed the visitor moorings - all full, and into Ellesmere Tunnel. The Meres looked lovely in the sunshine.

Blake Mere

In the following few miles we went aground a couple of times as we let other narrowboats through bridge holes. A train of three at Lyneal Lane Bridge (51) left us high and dry! I asked an hire boat to slow down later on, explaining why as they passed!

As we went through Cornhill Bridge (47), which is just before the long, straight embankment beside Whixall Moss, a couple of private narrowboats were cutting through the water. Their bows riding high, pushing a large wave ahead of them and leaving a large breaking wave. Guess what - we were aground again!

Perhaps they did not know better or had forgotten to slow down after leaving the deeper embankment behind. They certainly did not look back to see if we were OK as they shot under the bridge!

Whixall Embankment - wide, straight, deep and boring!

We winded at the junction with the Prees Branch and reversed down it to moor for the night.

Prees Branch Junction ahead

Llangollen Canal, New Marton Locks to Prees Branch

6 hours 3 minutes, 14.15 miles, 2 locks