On The Llangollen

We checked the weather first thing and it looked good ( for February anyway ) so just after 8 a.m. we upped pins and set off for the Llangollen canal, our first obstacle upon turning on to the Llangollen was a set of four locks just right to blow the cobwebs away ......for Ali anyway, as she does the physical work and hard work it can be, me well I steer the boat in and out of the locks not as physically demanding but with locks not much wider than the boat and terrible back wash problems sending the boat into the side, I would happily swap places.
The weather stayed pleasant and was even sunny at times - hurrah! - it didn't feel any time at all till we reached Swanley Marina and then there were 2 more locks to work. We could then have moored at a remote spot near Ravensmoor village but it was rather muddy and really in the middle of nowhere,the village pub would have been an impossibly difficult walk away and with the weekend coming up well.......
Less than a mile away we were at the 3 Baddiley locks and by the time we were through them we were getting keen to moor and finish for the day, the towpath remained muddy and in fact deteriorated as we cruised into Wrenbury and came across our first swing bridge. Luckily it was straight forward, just requiring a windlass and strong arm muscles to open. By now the wind was picking up a bit and our stomachs rumbling so we moored up just before Wrenbury wharf, a pleasant enough spot with not one but two pubs that serve food close at hand, however the towpath is like a paddy field so it will be hard work to keep ourselves and the dogs clean so we probably won't stay here very long.

Happy Valentine's day Ali! 

Looking back down Hurleston locks 

Swing bridge at Wrenbury - mind your head Baz!

A very 'full on' day we are showered, rested and now off for some refreshment.........
Bye for now
Baz and Ali