The Scout

As regular readers know we have a plan to venture onto the Llangollen canal - during the winter there have been stoppages at Swanley locks for repair, these were scheduled to be finished on 22/2 but canal gossip suggested the work has gone well so would be completed sooner. We have been watching the website and phoned Canal and River Trust but were none the wiser so this morning Baz - on his own admission an unfit, slightly overweight 50 something -  decided to don running gear and after a break from running of about a year, set off in a blizzard to check the situation out for himself. It was a round trip of 9 or ten miles. He came back quite a long time later with the news that  - yes, he seen it for himself, Swanley locks are now open! - I was delighted to inform him that while he was out battling with the elements and getting fit I was in the warm, eating lunch and had taken a phone call from the nice young lady at Canal and River Trust who had informed me that - yes,the work had finished early and the locks are now open........... He wasn't chuffed!

Keen to go - despite the snow 

Tired,cold,muddy and with old news! 

It's been snowing most of the day here at Nantwich and it's hard to believe conditions will be good for cruising tomorrow. However we'll keep an eye on the weather forecasts and hopefully will be going through the first set of locks (Hurleston Junction) onto what is reputed to be Britain's loveliest canal.

On a different note it's Baz's Mum's birthday today - 'Happy Birthday Mum' with love from us.

Cheers Mum! 

Bye for now
Ali and Baz