Do we mean to say goodbye?

Saturday, 01 May 2010 12:17

We set out not sure where we would stop!

Unlike our stop on the way up we only stayed at Wrenbury overnight. However it was a quiet night and we were treated to a lovely sunset.

Sunset at Wrenbury

Baddiley Locks are grouped together within walking distance of each other and John decided he needed some exercise, so off he got to do them all! Baddiley Lock No 1 needs some work. The bottom gates are damaged in a strange place and there is "DEFRA rash" beside the lock.

Bad damage at Baddiley

There were not many other narrowboats cruising today, the ones we saw were all going up stream towards Llangollen. Swanley was the next set of locks, only two this time. Swanley Bridge (8) is between the two locks and a few houses cluster around the bridge. There is a "no mooring" sign opposite the one before the bridge. Actually I lie - there is no "sign" as such but a give away sign that they do not want narrowboats to moor!

No mooring at the daffodils

The bridge itself has suffered from a careless driver?

After the Swanley No 2 Lock, the canal narrows and travels through fields towards Hurleston Locks and Junction. There are a number of designated mooring spots and we decided to stop for lunch: a very unusual occurrence for us as we usually have it "on the go".

To carry on or not to carry on was the question! Considering the weather forecast and the nearness of the end of the Llangollen Canal we decided to carry on, down the Hurleston Locks and onto the Shropshire Union Canal.

Linda, the Lock Keeper, helped us down the four locks - she is very chatty and helpful and went ahead to prepare the locks for us. We spotted some damage on the third lock down. The locks are not quite in line with each other and the helmsman cannot afford to be complacent either way. Some tweaks on the throttle and with the tiller are necessary to line up correctly!

Tail of lock 3, damaged by narrowboats (Note the newly painted handrail!)

Linda locked us through the bottom lock and we were back on the Shropshire Union Canal, turning north towards Barbridge Junction.

Left towards Barbridge and Chester

We had come to the end of the Llangollen Canal after a month and a half! We had enjoyed it, but came away with reservations! When it is busy some of the pleasure of cruising disappears. Much of it needs dredging and there are too many hire boats moored on-line at the bases. However some of the scenery is spectacular and the towns and villages are interesting.

So, dear readers, if you are bored with the Llangollen, "it is time for change" to pinch the current slogan of the day! Just as the rain came on, we moored before Barbridge Junction and settled on a very busy stretch of the Shroppie for the night.

Llangollen Canal, Wrenbury to Shropshire Union Canal before Barbridge Junction

3 hours 55 minutes, 7.23 miles, 9 locks