Our start back down the Llangollen was interesting. You are now going with the flow, not something one is used to on a canal. But in many ways, this is an artificial river, the water diverted from the Dee eventually supplying drinking water to Cheshire. Whilst bridge holes, tunnels and aqueduct are easier to navigate going downstream, the narrow confines of these choke points can challenging shall we say. Add some inexperianced boaters to the mix and have them coming for you in convoys, dictated by the hire schedules, it can be fun!
We left our overnight mooring at Froncysylite and bimbled along with the flow towards Whitehouses tunnel. Again, it was a beautiful day. We could see two boats ahead of us, so kept them in view, but gave them some distance. There is nothing worse than almost intimidating a boat ahead, by almost hanging on it's jacksy. All three of us made it straight through the tunnel without impediment. A good sign?
After a short journey along the shady wooded cutting our next challenge, Chirk tunnel. Now this location really can be a significant choke point. The tunnel and aqueduct only allow one way passage and the short pound between the two can only easily accommodate a few boats. Anyway, our little extended convoy arrived at the tunnel and it was clear, so in we went. All good, apart from a chap on the tow path stating it was chaos the other end! All three of us made it through with ner a problem, then emerged into daylight. No chaos here, just two boats patiently waiting their turn. And the aqueduct was clear and in our favour, so we were straight across. Where's all this "chaos"?
Well, it was on the Chirk bank side of the aqueduct, that's were it was. The problem here is twofold . The channel is narrow, but it also has moorings and bends under a bridge with no view ahead. Throw a CRT work boat moored on a bend into the mix, with a few inexperianced boaters, that's when you get chaos. There were boats coming at us every which way, on the wrong side of the cut and clearly not enjoying the experience. However, we weaved our way through without any contacts.
It was getting hot now and boats coming in the opposite direction warned us that there was a significant queue above the two New Marton locks. At least a dozen boats waiting apparently. So, we stopped. Got out the chairs and brolly, chilled out for the rest of the day. It was a good move...
Early evening. Boat movement having petered out, we set off again and quickly descended the two locks then moored up! Easy when you have the time to wait, not so for the hirers on a schedule. Ali had used our siesta time well though, booking us a passage down the locks onto the Montgomery canal.
This canal joins the Llangollen at Frankton junction. It is still being reinstated, largely by volunteers. At the moment, it is navigable just beyond the village of Maesbury, with the hope that eventually the full length will be reinstated. In its derelict state, it became a wildlife haven, achieving SSSI status. In order to maintain this, whilst the navigation is being reopened, works include the building of wetland areas, to maintain this status. Only limited boat numbers are allowed at any time, making this a particularly quiet canal.
We arrived at the top of the locks at about 11am. Passage up and down usually begins at midday. The locky said because he had eight boats traversing the flight during its limited opening hours, he would get us going at 1130. There was but us waiting to descend. The first two locks form a staicase, followed by a further two individual locks. We were soon down and made use of the very clean services below. But four locks now until the end of this beautiful navigation... But it was rather warm.
We took it gently, not wishing to disturb the waters more than we had to. At the current end, you have to manually lift a road bridge, go a little further, turn or Wind as it is known, then come back under said bridge and drop it. This bridge is a bar steward! It requires numerous turns of the windlass to raise it and at the end of a very hot day, it's not really something you want to repeat. It's a very quiet road though, enough time for me to pass through, wind and return?
Nope! Mr impatient farmer saw to that. Ali had to drop the bridge for him, then repeat the process to allow me through! We moored up in rural isolation. A short walk to the excellent Navigation Inn beckoned for the evening. Bliss. That was until the farmer decided to start haymaking on the field opposite the mooring! Can't blame him I suppose, perfect weather for it. The only bonus was watching the buzzards congregate and stalk the field at every pass, pouncing on critters disturbed by the process.
So, shower then pub it be!
Distance 16 miles and 10 locks, 1 moveable bridge, 2 tunnels and Chirk Aqueduct
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