Thursday 23 June 2016

Hot sunny day and we spent most of it in Whitchurch.  We walked the mile into town and then realised that I had left my purse behind and Steve had left his wallet so we walked the mile back to the boat and another mile back into town! 

As it was such a nice evening we decided to chug for a couple of hours.  We left Whitchurch at 5pm and made our way back down the staircase locks at Grindley Brook which got six locks out of the way and we had the canal to ourselves – we didn’t meet a single boat going in either direction.  We stopped at just gone 7pm in a nice quiet spot, not another boat in sight!  With just the creek of the mooring pins, the sheep in the field next to us and the birds in the trees to break the silence - until Steve put the telly on!   

We are ready to get off the Llangollen now, I’m sure the fact that it is in the middle of very remote and beautiful countryside is what makes it so popular.  It will be interesting to see if it is as busy once we get back on the Shropshire Union Canal and make our way up to Chester.

Making our way into Whitchurch the long way round via the nature reserve (we didn't come back this way either time, or the second time going in!)

We ventured out the other side of the main town this time and discovered some more interesting buildings - here are the old Public Baths. 

And the old Fire Station that is now a dental practice!

Untying ready to leave the Whitchurch Arm.

Opening the lift bridge (good for the bingo wings!)

Under the low bridge half way down the Grindley Brook Locks

Peaceful locks - a good time to travel!

There is a little shop in the brown building selling greeting cards and home made jam etc - nobody serving just an honesty box to leave your money in - I wonder how long that would stay in business in Barnet!

A nice quiet spot.

Reflections...