Swanley to Llangollen (and back again). Part One

[Québec]

Our first 'big' trip....Swanley to Llangollen and back.

 

Sunday 15th July

Set out from Swanley Marina on a glorious morning

 

Tea break at Wrenbury, accompanied by church bells.

 

 

Went right through to Grindley Brook (15 locks including the staircase at Grindley plus several lift bridges). No waiting at Grindley Brook. We were the last boat through before the lock-keeper (great guy) went home.

 

Moored for the night just above Grindley Brook and before the Whitchurch arm.

 

 

Monday 16th

 

Relentless rain virtually all day. Stopped at Ellesmere. Lovely little town, with Vermeulens - a great deli/bakery. Carried on in the rain until it finally relented at the New Marton locks.

 

 

Moored for the night on the moorings outside Lions Quay at St. Martins, on the cut not on the pontoons.

 

Tuesday 17th

Aqueducts and Tunnels

Chirk Aqueduct was clear and we had a short wait at Chirk Tunnel.

 

 

 

Encountered a boat full of 'lads' who had tied a full-size blow-up doll to the prow of their boat (more of them later). The section through Froncysyllte was 'interesting'. The solid line of boats moored on the private moorings made it rather narrow, and some of the hire boaters weren't sure two boats could squeeze past each other (they can.....just). The hire boat in front of us stopped to let a boat through, and we stopped behind him. Then some arrogant twit behind us decided that anyone who stops to let a boat through is clearly asking to be passed, so proceeded to advance towards the oncoming hire boat. As shouting had no effect I only stopped his progress by moving the stern of my boat into his path. He wasn't happy....and we met him again....but more of that later.

 

Starting off across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

 

 

Halfway across.

 

 

Decided to moor up for the night just across the aqueduct at Trefor. First moored just up from the bridge (see photo), then found a great spot further up at the end of the very short arm. Note: that bridge - 29W - is definitely the lowest we encountered on the Llangollen.

 

 

On checking the bilge discovered that the hose from the grease gun had split at the grease gun end. Grease everywhere except where it was supposed to go. Managed to rig up a temporary fix involving a piece of thin dowel and a jubilee clip.

 

End Part One. Part Two coming up.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Québec

[tree]

many thanks for the post I really enjoyed reading it and looking at lovely pictures with wonderful scenery

pity you had to meet up with some erm..... lets call them 'sillies', but it sounds like you had a fabulous trip anyway

[Ange]

You would have passed Iona on 16th, it was moored outside the canal cottage just past the Ellesmere arm while we visited family!

 

Lovely pics - keep them coming!

[Québec]

You would have passed Iona on 16th, it was moored outside the canal cottage just past the Ellesmere arm while we visited family!

 

Lovely pics - keep them coming!

 

Thanks.

 

I forgot to add that we met Sarah (chertsey) while moored up on the way out. She recognised the name of the boat, as we're the only Quëbec on the system. We really DO need a CWDF forurm sticker or something!

Edited July 26, 2012 by Québec

[keble]

Great photos!

[john6767]

We are temporarily moored at Swanley Marina, we arrived on the afternoon of the 15th so just after you left I guess. The boat is still there, in fact I stayed there Monday night to check on things and replace a battery that had developed a duff cell. We will be leaving Swanley on the 2nd August for the trip to Llangollen and back.

[Blue Star]

Many thanks for the post! and the photos were great, no wonder the Llangolan is so popular! Looking forward to part2

[Catrin]

Enjoyed your post, particularly the pictures. Do you have a blog?

Edited July 27, 2012 by Catrin