Escaping again!

Lots of lift bridges today!

The first one is pretty soon after we left the Prees Branch (no internet (3) and weak Orange signal!) and John was the operator. Morris Lift Bridge (45) is windlass operated (as are they all on this stretch) and takes 75 turns to lift it!

Morris lift bridgeMorris Lift Bridge ahead

Whixall Port (there is a notice there so naming it!) has a shop and tea garden. It looked more open than when we passed on our way up the Llangollen Canal and the garden was looking lovely.

Whixall PortLooking back at Whixall Port

Tilstock Lift Bridge (42) was open, as a boat had pulled over whilst his crew opened it. We were waved through, just as we were on our way up!

Although this may be boring to read, yet again we were in lovely countryside, the sun was warm but there was a cold wind that made steering tricky occasionally. I found this out when John went below and left me on the tiller through the most bendy bit of the canal we had encountered for a while!

It is not surprising that I have no photos of this section - lots of bends, four tricky bridges and meetings with hire boats beside moored boats - left me with my hands well and truly full!

Once relieved at the helm, I did get a shot at a really rural scene - we herded them to the watering hole at Sparks Bridge (35)!

cattleThirsty cattle

Two more lift bridges were ahead of us, a bit of an hassle (couldn't resist that one!). It was here that we met Fly-boat Saturn on our way up. Hassell's No 1 and 2 Lift Bridges.

Hassell's No 2 (34) and looking back at Hassell's No 1 (33)

Hassells No 2Looking back at Hassells no 1

Just before the next lift bridge is Whitchurch Arm and this was to be our mooring for a bit. It is quiet and away from the bustle of the main line and also a good place to watch other narrowboats negotiate New Mills Lift Bridge!

Whitchurch ArmTurning down the Whitchurch Arm

We had the choice of moorings so went down to the winding hole before mooring behind the first narrowboat. There are a few houses right by the Arm and permanent moorings at the end.

end of armWhitchurch Arm end of navigation

Since we arrived we have been joined by other narrowboats and hire boats so there is only room right down at the end.

moored in Whitchurch ArmEpiphany in the Whitchurch Arm

Llangollen Canal, Prees Branch to Whitchurch Arm

2 hours 8 minutes, 5.61 miles, 0 locks

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