Back up the Montgomery

After the wet and very windy day yesterday, today the sky was blue and not a cloud was to be seen anywhere. We left fairly early so as to get back to Frankton locks by 12pm. First thing first, though, we had to go through the lift bridge and wind at the winding hole.

 After 40minutes we were back again at the Navigation and on our way back up the Monty. We had a lovely uneventful cruise with only C&RT delaying our way for a brief moment when one of the men had to get into the water to start hammering in some wooden stakes.

 We had time on our hands so we pulled in at the water point below the first of Frankton Lock , to fill our water tank and get rid of the rubbish. Dead on 12pm we made it to the bottom of the flight to find the lock keeper waiting to greet us and he gave us the thumbs up to enter the bottom lock. He then informed us that a boat was just entering the staircase lock at the top and we were to come up the first two locks and then pass each other in the middle pound. As our two boats drew side by side I realised it was nb Epiphany! John had walked on ahead and Fiona was at the helm and mentioned that Ian had spoken to her about our blog Free Spirit. Well I love meeting fellow bloggers and it was such a shame we couldn't have a good natter. Still hopefully we will meet again.

So back on the Llangollen canal we made steady but slow progress. Having to do battle against the flow, as well as forever reversing to clear the prop of leaves, was very frustrating and called it a day once through the top lock at New Martin. We are now moored at St Martins Moor on the 48 hour mooring for the night.

Approaching Aston Lock

Thankfully the rain never came our way.

To Maesbury, the end of navigation.

Another quiet and peaceful night, that is until the wind picked up and  we were once more woken by the banging on the side. Free Spirit never caused us these problems but no matter how tight we tied the ropes, Merlin refused to be still. We only have two rubber fenders and the only way to attach them to the side is from hanging them from the back seat on the deck and from a centre eyelet in the middle of the roof. It’s one thing we hadn’t noticed when we bought the boat 8 years ago. No fixings for fenders! Anyway I shouldn’t be moaning as so far we are enjoying being on the Monty. This morning we had a spectacular sunrise. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the side of the boat as it gave an almost mystical picture.

sun rise reflection

 Once up, and after devouring a full English breakfast, we switched on the TV and to our horror found out what the weather had in store for us today. Deciding our best plan was to set off for Maesbury while it was still dry,  we pulled pins just after 9am and headed for our first lock of the day, Graham Palmer lock. The wind was gusting but we didn’t have any problem in entering the lock. It wasn’t until we got to the top of the Aston locks that the fun started. The wind was blowing away from the lock landing and so trying to tie up was nigh on impossible. Ian managed to jump off with the centre rope while I drove the boat into the side. Unfortunately the front started to swing out and so while Ian was hanging on for grim death I managed to get the stern rope round a bollard and rushed to help Ian bring the front back in. Finally, with me holding the centre rope, Ian managed to grab the front rope and get us secured enough to be able to set the lock. Then I wondered how I would cope in bringing Merlin into the lock. This time the wind helped, as once Ian and I had released both ropes at the same time, she just drifted out and with a bit of power, sailed neatly into the lock. Thankfully the last two locks before Maesbury Marsh were a doddle and we got moored up by the Navigation by lunch time. The wind was still blowing a gale and the rain was coming down in torrents so winding the boat won’t be done today, that’s for sure!!! Tomorrow looks a better day and as our passage is booked back up Frankton flight between 12pm and 2pm, we shouldn’t have any worries about getting back.

Aston top lock where we had all the fun.

Looking back at Aston middle lock showing how narrow the channel is.

Aston bottom lock.

I saw a movement in the distance and saw this Pheasant.

Lift bridge 81 by the winding hole.

 As one of the things we wanted to do was to see how far the Shropshire Canal Society had got with the re opening of the Montgomery, we set off in squally winds to walk the mile & half to the end. I have taken loads of photos to put on the blog but have decided to wait until back on board Free Spirit to post them. We left it just a little to late to start our return to the boat because the heavens opened drenching us from head to toe. Both of us were soaked to the skin and Jade looked decidedly bedraggled. We were all very pleased to see the boat in the distance and I'm very glad that Merlin has gas central heating so at least the coats can dry before our departure tomorrow. 

End of Navigation on the Monty.

moored at the Navigation pub, Maesbury

Our second day

Well first evening done and dusted but what an evening it was! Meal in Jack Mytton was delicious, great atmosphere in the pub with several more boaters to have a chinwag turning up later. We staggered back to the boat two very tired but happy people and by 10pm had departed for bed. I couldn’t believe how quiet it was. The occasional hoot from an owl to disturb the peace but apart from that nothing. Sheer bliss! That is until 3 am when we suddenly became aware of the boat banging into the side. Ian leapt out of bed expecting to see bodies about but not a sole was to be seen so we can only assume the wind had picked up and was blowing the boat onto the side. Unfortunately we couldn’t get back to sleep with the boat bouncing like that so Ian grabbed his coat and trousers and went outside to tighten the ropes. Peace was once again restored and before we knew it was 8 am. We awoke to the sound of heavy rain drumming on the roof but weren’t to bothered as we weren’t due to go down Frankton locks until midday and as it was only an hour cruise from Jack Mytton we decided to wait until the weather improved. Sure enough by the time we set off the wind had dropped and the rain had eased and we arrived for our passage down by 11.30am. The lock keeper turned up dead on 12pm and before we knew it we were on our way again, apparently the only boat booked down for today. As it was gone 1pm by the time we left the last lock we stopped at the Western Branch to water up and then decided to pull forward onto the 48hour mooring for the rest of the day. By now the sun had put in an appearance and so we put on our walking boots and set of along the towpath with Jade to see what lay ahead for tomorrow.

Start of the Montgomery

Staircase

Search and rescue training

This came out of nowhere and the lockie told us the search and rescue choppers train around these parts.

Unlocking top lock

Weston Junction

More search and rescue training. It flew over us continually for hours.

lovely end to another perfect day.

Llangollen day 1

Woke up this morning to a really dismal day, with rain hindering our efforts of loading the car. Still nothing was going to put us off enjoying our first day of freedom in 3 months. We arrived at Trevor by midday and found the boat all ready for us to take out. Coal had been put on board and the central heating turned up so we had a warm boat to start our journey.  After the usual boat checks we untied mooring ropes and got underway. It was quite windy so crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was a bit hairy but although I have loads of the same photos at different time of the year, Autumn colours make the view spectacular.

We negotiated the first lift bridge without incident and apart from very slow going ( even with the flow ) because of the amount of leaves on the water, made it to Jack Mynton pub and restaurant in just 3 1/2 hours. No other boats are moored here and apart from having to wait at Chirk tunnel for a boat to come through so no other boats on the move. So tonight we will eat out to celebrate our first day on board Merlin and tomorrow we  booked with the Lock keeper for 12pm for the start down the Montgomery.

Pictures of Merlins interior

Lift bridge at Froncysyllte

Nice bit of topiary

New Marton Locks

Packed and ready to go

Its finally arrived!!! One more night on board Free Spirit and then we're off to Anglo Welsh at Trevor on the Llangollen to start our 5 day cruise on our other boat Merlin.  For days now Ian and I have been making lists.You know the sort of thing, pack clothes,boots,scarves,gloves, hats etc etc, as well as all the food stuff needed for 5 days. Going from one boat to move onto another for a few days is not as easy as it sounds. On Free Spirit we have everything to hand and suddenly we have to think about packing condiments, sauces, tea bags, coffee as well as loo rolls. ( woo betide us if we forgot that!!) All the bedding and towels are supplied by the boat yard, so that's one worry less. Both our laptops are coming with us as well as the 3 dongle so I'm hopeful that we will able to receive a decent signal and I will be able to do a bit of proper blogging for a change. Even Jade knows something is going on and is looking quite anxious. It must be something to do with her food and bowl disappearing into a plastic bag. We've not quite pulled her bedding from under her. She can at least have another comfy night before we turf her off of it. We have pulled the boat back onto ECP&DA moorings in the basin. A very secure mooring  as the only way in is by a touch pad. Not so easy to get Jade on and off because we are moored 3 deep but needs must as one would say. Anyway, Ian is to have his weekly chemo this afternoon and I'm now rushing to finish this before we have to go. I will leave you with a followup photo of the one I posted yesterday and my next blog will be from t'otherside of the Pontcysyllte aqueduct.

Can someone please get rid of this feather from my nose

Can you see me?

Wonder whats on the otherside?

Taken from the Stratford canal

Autumnal forest

Not sure green suits my leg!

Bourkes parrot

I said dont turn your back on me when I'm quacking

The flight of a Harris Falcon

 It's amazing who and what one meets on the towpath. As per normal Jade and I armed with camera, (me that is not the dog) set of for our morning walk. We headed off in the direction of the open fields and river and as we approached Gadsby canal bridge, a couple appeared from the opposite bank and perched on their arm were two very beautiful Falcons.

This bird was 17 weeks old and had not yet developed it's adult plumage It was still to young for its first flight. The next photo shows the same breed of falcon but now as an adult

An adult Harris falcon

Stretching its wings ready for the takeoff.

And off it goes!

I have only ever seen raptors fly in organised displays so to see one in the open with the possibility that it might not return was quite a sight.I'm pleased to say it did come back to its handler and received a reward of a piece of meat. Apparently they regularly fly this falcon in this field and that might explain why there is a lack of birds around these parts!! Once the youngster is old enough it too will take its first flight at this location as well.

Later in the day we received a phone call from Margaret on Nb Icing. You may have read in a previous post of my envy as they left for a 3 week cruise. Well Sunday was the day of return and the phone call was to see if Ian and I were up to doing a bit of lock wheeling. So off we trots to Shipley lock and gets there just in time to see them entering the lock. Yesterday a boat had departed from Langley and had left all the bottom gates open right down to Sandiacre. Thats 12 locks all set ready for 'Icing' and 'Bracken' on their return. Now I don't condone the leaving off gates open when a boat exits but I know some of the 'old school' boaters think it is quite acceptable. In this instance, though, it did the pair a favour and, instead of taking over 6 hours to arrive at Langley from Sandiacre, they did it in just under 5 hours. So having seen the pair of boats through Shipley and Eastwood locks I set off with Jade back to Langley fully expecting Ian to catch up with me after he had closed the gates. When he didn't materialise I started to wonder what had happened to him. As I looked back,  Nb Bracken was just coming around the bend and who should be steering at the back? Ian!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it!! There I am,  desperate to leave Langley Mill and get cruising again, knowing that it could be another 10 months before we do and he goes and, not only cadges a lift, but takes over the helm as well!!! Just wait until we take our other boat out in a couple of weeks time. Ian will have to surgically remove the tiller from my hand!!!

Dennis on 'Icing'

Heather on 'Bracken'

Ian at the helm of 'Bracken'.