OMG Pirates, and would we get past?

31st October

 What a night!! One very big failing of being on a short pontoon is the creaking and groaning of the center rope. It was the only way to secure the sharp end of FS as the bow stuck way out into the basin. And then there were the ducks. No picture because it was dark, but 4 of the pontoons by us had at least 15 to 20 ducks sleeping and of course squabbling took place. So all night it was the quaking and splashing as the ducks vied for the best place! I slept better than Ian, he left our bed in the wee hours and settled himself in the lounge chair. We may push over to the other pontoons on the left side. It all depends if there is duck poo on them. If not then the ducks obviously don't use them so we may get a better night sleep!

So to continue from yesterday. (30th)

Now, the last 4 miles up to Llangollen was very difficult. So very narrow and shallow in places with two sections having signs asking for crew to get off and walk ahead as the canal narrows to a single width for about 300mtrs. 

Room enough for boats to pass each other

But not here. Ian walked ahead to stop any boats from coming through

 

First section Ian walked ahead but on the second part we stayed on board. That towpath was really muddy so with fingers crossed, in we went. Then the pirates put in an appearance! OMG...now we were in a pickle. It was day boat full of lads on a stag do. How on earth would we get past? 

In the narrow section and I took this just before we saw the pirate ship.

But in the photo above was where the canal widened out slightly. Ian steered FS into that gap and kept over as far as possible praying there would be sufficient room for the pirate ship to pass by.

 

It was tight, and the gunwales rubbed together. I had a horrible moment of thought that we may get wedged but somehow we made it. But there was a casualty of our stupidity of not checking that the way was clear. In all the frivolity from the pirate boat, one chap went to grab our handrail to fend off but grabbed the boat pole instead. Straight into the canal it went! But this pirate to the rescue because somehow and with much hilarity from the others, almost ended up head first in the canal trying to fish it out but success as he handed it back. Lots of relieved laughter from us all and good nature banter followed. 

This shows how narrow the channel was

It took the best part of two hours to do that 4 mile. if we managed a 2.5mph we were lucky. Reaching   Llangollen town and gosh the River Dee seemed to be flowing fast. 

 

 As the approach to the basin came in sight so did the horse-drawn boat. Good view from FS but a better one was had once we were moored on the pontoon.

 

 Anyway now that half-term was over, hardly a boat in Llangollen basin. I managed a perfect reverse into a space (Well I pointed the blunt end in the direction of the pontoon I wanted to go in but ended up further along than expected.) Here we will stay for a couple of days, cost of £12 with electric. Decided to walk to the river once we had paid our mooring fee at the Llangollen Wharf.

 

Plenty of rain had swollen the Dee to a boiling torrent and it seems the canoeists just loved these conditions.

So inviting was the basin to fish in that I just had to get the rod out. After nearly an hour with plenty of bites but no fish on the hook, I almost gave up but then... 

 I sent the photo to Kev...he has conceded defeat!

And then the horse-drawn boat came past again. Beautiful calm to show the reflections but little did we know what the 'morrow would bring.

And wildlife,