Tuesday 7 June 2016

Wednesday 5 June 2016

Another lovely day - just like being on holiday!

There are so many hire boats on this canal - too many.  We were following two with another one following us from the time we set off this morning.  The two boats in front of us were travelling together so each time they got to a lock the first boat would wait for the second, then when the second one got there they would all moor up and have a chat then go to set the lock.  Then once though the lock the first one would moor up again and wait for the second boat to get through! After the second lock Steve went and had a word with them and told them that they were causing congestion so the first boat agreed to got ahead once it was through the lock and amazing when we got to the next lock we were able to set it straight away - the boat behind us was very happy too!  Unfortunately it seems that today we were all heading in the same direction. 

We then got to the first lock of six in a row and there was a queue - a hire boat had hit the lock gate and knocked it off balance, thankfully the Canal and River Trust were there sorting it out by the time we got there.  We met a lovely old Australian couple (in their late 70's) the husband had always wanted to do this so here they were - they were struggling a bit with the gates so we helped them get through the first three then we arrived at the staircase and there were two volunteers there so that helped move things along.  

We decided to stop in a little tributary in Whitchurch which was a lovely peaceful evening with no boats going by - they are all on the main canal heading for the Chirk and Pontcysyllte aqueducts which of course we are too but we'll let them get there first as they have to get their boats back by Saturday.
Leaving our mooring

I have not seen a duck like this before - with a little help from my bird book I think it is a Shelduck - the ducklings were really funny when we got along side them they all dived under the water and as we were going past when they popped their heads up and saw we were still there they dived back under again just like grebes do!  

Funny pet!

Through our first lift bridge - a lady from the first hire boat had got off to open it - I don't think she was too impressed that three of us went under leaving her to close up behind us! 

We were wondering whether the farmer comes and fills these urns.

Steve decided it was his turn to go and have a chat at the lock!

In the staircase with a volunteer to help me.

We are in the bottom lock - we have to wait for the boat in the top lock to leave before we can fill the middle lock.

Away from it all in the tributary near Whitchurch.


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