Tuesday 7 May 2013

Llangollen...

Here we come!

The house has fell through... I'm not going to dwell on it, we've all heard the excuses and reasons why before. So, we've decided to sod the house search for now and have some 'us' time out on the cut!

It's still quite early in the year and as everyone raves about the Llangollen canal and all it has to offer a boater we've decided to head straight out for it.  

Actually right now we're moored at Hurleston Junction at the foot of the first lock leading onto the Llangollen Canal.  We've got a problem with the Vacuflush toilet though so I'm catching up with the blog whilst Jeff tries to fix it before we can cast away. Hopefully he'll be able to sort the problem pronto as it's promised to be a beautiful day and rain is forecast for late this afternoon and the next couple of days.

I'll write more later (and post some photos) but better go help with this bliddy toilet problem!

Later, (16th May)...

Firstly, from The Staffs and Worcester Canal:

I expect a lot of boaters have a similar photo like this one at Gailey Wharf from some time or other.

Gailey Wharf, Toll keepers' watch-tower.
The gentleman who topped up our diesel tank at Anglo Welsh (Great Haywood Junction) recommended Tixall Wide as a good place to moor - very quite but lots of wildlife he said - yeah right, they must have all been hibernating when we got there.
Tixall Wide
Acton Trussell, The Moat House













Early May and we made it onto the Shropshire Union Canal and found a nice mooring beside the Anchor... Unfortunately for us it was closed (not sure for how long) but hey ho we have plenty of food and drink on board. The hippies on the boat just down the towpath provided the music!!!
High Offley, The Anchor
High Offley, The Anchor
I read about Hack Green Nuclear Bunker in the Nicholson guide and decided to pay a visit. It was only a 5 minute walk from the towpath and we really enjoyed it... Definitely worth a visit if you're passing this way.

Nantwich, Hack Green Nuclear Bunker
7th May and we made it off the 'Shroppie Shelf' (notorious to boaters - just Google it and you'll see what I mean) and headed into the first lock at Hurleston Junction. Now, although there is a huge sign there advising that the locks are narrow and for boaters to remove fenders, we newbies thought that our low ones under the gunwhale (is there a boaty technical name for these) would be ok... Nope, got stuck half-way in so had to reverse out again and now with and audience. Jeff then had to quickly remove them before proceeding (knew that Swiss Army Knife would come in)... How embarrassing!!!
Does this only happen to us?
Others cruise on by...
Better carry this on in another post as I've run out of characters in my labels setting!

4 comments:

Brian and Diana on NB Harnser said...

Watch out for this chap and give him a cup of tea
https://macmillan.tributefunds.com/CarolWonfor

Julie said...

Thanks for the heads up on this link. We spotted John on the Llangollen canal this morning, I took a snap of him and he stuck his tongue out at me... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151361677022854&set=a.10150140280462854.266485.604797853&type=1&theater

Roger and Pat Filler said...

Knew you blogged and hoped this finds you.
Happy New Year from the other
"Cat's Whiskers", currently moored in Mercia Marina until we set off north in April.
Hope we bump into you soon (not literally)
Roger & Pat

Julie said...

Hi Roger and Pat and Happy New Year to you too.
Keeping my blog up-to-date is on my #NewYearsResolutions list now that we've settled down in our new house. Off up to check our boat today (currently moored at Kings Orchard Marina near Lichfield) and no doubt will get itchy feet to take her out soon.
Look forward to hopefully seeing you in 2014 although not sure where we'll be yet. Best wishes Julie x