Live Boating

Monday 24^th April

Whitchurch to Ellesmere

Today was drier than yesterday, but still grey and chilly.

No locks to do today, but there were 5 lift bridges.

Llangollen Canal View

Today’s excitement was that I fell in the water – slipped off the side of the boat. I was able to hold onto the side of the canal, and Steve with the help of a man from a nearby boat managed to haul me onto dry land and I was none the worse for my dip.

When we got to Ellesmere, we decided to moor in the arm to make the walk into town shorter!

The Ellesmere Arm

A warehouse awaiting renovation (hopefully)

We knew that there was a launderette in Ellesmere and had decided to wash the canal-wet clothes there. While the machines were doing their work, we did a little shopping and had a cuppa in a local café. In the launderette, we happened to meet someone we knew and arranged to visit her on her boat later in the evening. Shopping and washing done, we returned to the boat.

After our evening meal, we walked along the canal a little way to The Black Cat and had a cup of tea with Jenny (and her dog and cat).

Today’s miles and locks – 12.75 miles 0 locks

Total miles and locks – 132.75 miles 79 locks

Tuesday 25^th April

Ellesmere to Maesbury Marsh

We made a slightly earlier start than usual as we were due to go down the Montgomery Canal, and you have to book a passage through the locks at the start of the canal.

So at 7.50, we left Ellesmere in bright sunshine – and frost! No locks and no lift bridges on this first stretch, but as soon as we turned on to the Montgomery, we were faced with a 2 lock staircase and two single locks.

Turning on to the Montgomery Canal

We did have to wait for a while as there were two boats coming up the locks, but there were two lock-keepers to help and it was still sunny and getting warmer, so there was no problem!

Frankton Locks

Montgomery Canal View

Once we were through these first four locks, we had coffee and then there was just one more lock before we stopped for lunch.

The Montgomery Canal is still under restoration and there is only about 6 miles navigable at this end. We decided to carry on as far as we could, so we did 3 more locks and a lift bridge and then turned round, back through the lift bridge and moored for the night at Maesbury Marsh.