Whitchurch to Ellesmere

We spent Monday evening with some of Ali's family in a friendly Whitchurch pub, there was a welcoming open fire and we caught up on all the news. The next morning there was a hard frost and a mist, but the mist cleared quickly, the sun came out and it turned into a perfect day to take the family on a cruise from Whitchurch to Bridge 43 - Platt Lane Bridge.

Ali's Mum and the girls sat in the bow on the new cratch seats and David kept Baz company up in the stern. There were three lift bridges en route, a few other boats and a heron flew in front of Micky Jay for a while. It was great fun and good to see everyone looking so well. We parted company at Bridge 43 where David had parked his car. Baz and I then decided the spot where we had moored was, once again, unacceptably muddy so we moved Micky Jay a short way to a much drier patch. It was a beautifully warm,sunny afternoon and we couldn't believe it was only February 19th! The only downside was that we had no phone or internet signal but we can live with that overnight.
In complete contrast we woke up this morning to a dank, grey day with drizzle in the air. We moved off after breakfast, passing by Whixall Moss nature reserve and two Mere's (naturally formed lakes) - very beautiful in a rather bleak way on this very grey day!
Very soon we reached Ellesmere and we are moored just outside the town,there is a hard surface towpath instead of a bog and we can get the internet - hurrah!

Lovely to see family

Tonight's View from the Galley window 

19th Feb 

  20th feb Trust us to moor opposite this muck spreader - the seagulls are happy though!

Waterside 'des res' in Ellesmere

Looking back down the Arm towards Tesco 

We'll probably stay a couple of days in Ellesmere - get our breath back after a few days of locks, lift bridges and family visiting. We are getting the feeling that the best bit of the Llangollen is going to be cruising down the 'stream in the sky' - The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - watch this space!
Bye for now
Ali and Baz