Grindley here we come

Friday, 30 April 2010 18:36

Grindley Brook - a competitive place?

We left Whitchurch and its Arm behind and took a short cruise to the top of the Grindley Brook Locks. We were fortunate to moor at the end of the 48 moorings nearest the locks and near to the first water point!

Before we bedded down for the night we filled the water tank so we could leave fairly early the next morning.

Next morning we made our way to the lock landing - the first narrowboat to arrive! We made use of the sani-station whilst waiting for the three narrowboats coming up the staircase under the supervision of the Lock Keeper.

By the time we arrived in the top lock, there was quite a queue behind us and even a potential queue jumper! See what I mean about "competitive"?

The Lock Keeper's flags were flying well

John and the Lock Keeper had a good chat as they locked me down. Once through the staircase of three locks we were "on our own", apart from the narrowboats coming up, of course.

Grindley Brook Lock 4

Lane Croft Wharf below the next three locks is very well kept and the wisteria on the sign writers shop lovely. As we approached Railway Bridge (27) after the wharf we met a boat coming through so had to hang back, not an easy manoeuvre!

Sign Writers shop

Narrowboat leaving Railway Bridge, mind the willow John!

The next four locks are well apart and it was my turn to work the locks! Povey's, Willey Moor, Quoisley and Marbury Locks all have the Llangollen's trade mark fast by-washes. The combination of a stiff breeze and the pull of these can be tricky!

Fi at Withy Moor Lock

Before Marbury Lock, there was an hire boat moored on the lock landing. No doubt they were sampling the delights of the Swan at Marbury, a short walk away. It is a good job that we do not speed into locks as the hire boat crew gave us a lesson in how not to moor!

How long will this last?

So before long we approached Wrenbury and its iconic lift bridges. The first one, Wrenbury Frith Lift Bridge was opened for us by the lady in the greenhouse there. I suspect she does this and leaves it up whilst she is working there as it was up for us when we went up, as well.

The electric lift bridge, Wrenbury Lift Bridge, is heralded by lines of hire boats moored on the off side. Here we saw our "friends" the grass cutters. They had covered Epiphany with grass when they cut the moorings at Whitchurch and John put in a formal complaint to BW.

Alvechurch hire boats

Once through the lift bridge we moored on the 48H moorings. The grass cutters caught us up and realising that we were the "complainers," the chap in charge, Matt Gilmore, came to apologise. A pretty rapid response as the BW Manager had "investigated" as she promised. We had quite a chat with them all and to make their job easier and keep Epiphany clean (this time), we let her out, whilst they strimmed the moorings!

Llangollen Canal, Whitchurch Arm to Wrenbury

3 hours 40 minutes, 6.24 miles, 10 locks