Day 11: Queue's at the locks!

Day 11: 27th August. We were away at 10:00. We didn't want to get stuck on the narrow's and made good progress back to the Aquaduct. One boat ahead of us, and 2 behind us. I knew that the Aquaduct was a bottleneck and when we arrived, there were 2 day boats waiting to go over and in front of us was a nice narrowbeam white Dutch barge. The owner was keeping an eye out as 3 boats were coming over. I was just hoping that no other boat would enter the Aquaduct at the other side. The last boat was very slow - they were busy taking photographs!

Anyway, they left the aqueduct and it was like a Le-man start. White barge first, us, the 2 day boats and various other private boats in our wake's!

Quickly through Chirk tunnel and back out into the open countryside. Then we hit the first lock and a queue of 8 boats in front of us! It took us 2 hours to get through. Queue's at locks were to be very common on our return down the Llangollen.

Day 10: llangollen

Day 10: 26th August. No boating today. Just chilling in Llangollen on a beautiful warm sunny day. The long trek back starts early tomorrow!

Day 9: Llangollen.

Day 9: 25th August. As we were only about 8 miles from Llangollen, we had the luxury of a lie in. Not to late mind you. We still had our latest goal within reach. 3 boats past our moored boat heading for the Aquaduct. We could take it no more and decided to go for it!

As we clung to the south side of the Dee valley, we had glimpses of Ponycycylite Aquaduct  to our right and soon we were approaching this magnificent structure.it was a busy canal. Ahead of us were tour boats, hire boats, day boats and private boats. Infact boats everywhere! 

We were lucky and got straight onto the Aquaduct.

Wow! The views were fantastic. I could now appreciate the phrase 'boats in the sky'! We could not believe it. Our little narrowboat had come all the way from North Yorkshire!

On the Aquaduct.

After the Aquaduct is Trevor and a sharp left turn for the final narrow a shallow approach into Llangollen. The hills were closing in and the views were superb.

After what seemed an age, we came past Llangollen Wharf and into the newish basin where we would spend the next two nights. As we went into the basin we were walloped by an out of control trip boat which was being pulled by a horse. No reverse on that boat?

We had made it to our journeys end. A great achievement. The only issue - we had to go all the way back!

Day 8: We made it to Chirk!

Day8: 24th August. We were on the Llangollen canal. A beautiful rural canal. Wish we could spend more time on it but we aimed to get to Llangollen tomorrow, the day before the bank holiday. The first thing you notice about the Llangollen canal is the number of hire boats- loads of them everywhere. Well that is how we started many moons ago. 

We were away early at 08:00. We new Grindley Brook locks were a real bottleneck and we started up the flight just before 08:15 in light rain. No other boats on the move and in just over 45 minutes we were at the top lock. Here we saw the lock keeper for the first time but we were already leaving when he saw us! Must be the rain. 

The rain didn't last and the sun was soon out again. The progress up the Llangollen was faster than I had ever thought possible and once again we kept on going. Another 12 hour day but it was worth it. Just after 8 we moored adjacent Chirk marina. Tomorrow we would make it to our goal - Llangollen and the superb Ponty-thingy  aqueduct!!

Day 7:-Onto the Llangollen canal.

Day 7: 23rd August. Our first goal (Llangollen canal) was within our reach but what a day it was going to be! The weather was kind once again and we set off along the Middlewich branch canal in bright warm sunshine. Heading west to Barbridge junction we had to pass through the 2 remaining locks on the Middlewich branch canal. The first of these locks will never be forgotten. The trip so far had gone with little incident but that was all about to change.

Hurleston Locks.

I had read about the very narrow first lock on the Hurleston flight and was prepared for it. I was not prepared for the lock ahead of us on the Middlewich being 'narrow'! My problems started the previous night. The fenders were down on one side but the other side were up. As we approach the lock, one of the fenders that were up must have fallen down! I did not see it and went into the lock. No problem at first but as we started to rise, I heard the exhaust behind me gurgling! I quickly realised what was going on and shouted to Dawn to close the paddles! I let some of the water out and the boat was wedged high and dry, 6 inches above the water and 6 feet up the lock! After a bit of head scratching we decided to cut the fenders off, flush some water in and hope the boat moves! With a bit of engine to help we were unstuck but it was a reminder not to be too complacent.

We reached the Hurleston flight and one of our goals: the Llangollen canal. The bottom lock was extremely narrow! Only 1/2 inch spare either side! We were quickly up the flight and just kept on going. We reached the bottom of the Grindley Brook flight and stopped for the night. Another long and traumatic day.

Day 6: Through Middlewich

Day 6:- 22nd August. We left our mooring and past through the chemical works at Northwich. A complete contrast from the beautiful scenery that we had just left. Middlewich is much more plesent. After passing through the big lock, we stopped for provisions at the new Morrisons store.It would be a nice salad tonight.

Our first narrow lock greeted us soon after we set off. One of the lower paddles was out of action and it took a bit to empty after a boat had just gone up. These 3 locks at Middlewich were very busy. There is a hire base just below and just above these locks. If you hit them at the wrong time you could be there for ages!

It took us 2 hours to get through the 3 Middlewich locks and the first lock on the Middlewich branch. After passing through the second lock, we moored for the evening in open countryside. Yet another long day of 9 hours.

Day 5: Trent and Mersey

Day 5: 21st August. The good weather continues for us. We set off around 9 for a steady trip to Lymm. A nice little town with good moorings. Our aim was to get onto the Trent and Mersey canal through Preston Brook Tunnel. Once again we made good progress and entered the north portal of the tunnel in the afternoon. The tunnel was just over 1200yds long! We emerged at the south portal after 20 minutes and through the stop lock and onto the Trent and Mersey.

A very nice contour canal with great views down into the Weaver valley. A steady trip down the canal and we soon reached Anderton and the impressive boat lift. We would leave it until the return leg for further investigation.

We called into the sanitary station for water and once again to empty the bog (my job!).

We moored just around the corner from here in open countryside. Another good day'S boating.

Day 4: Through Manchester and out the other side.

Day 4: 20th August. We had to be off early for the 09:30 booked passage down the Manchester 18. So at 07:30 we were off. There were 2 other boats going down. A 50ft narrowboat, a 25ft Dawncraft cruiser and ourselves. As we are only 26ft long we could all fit in together.
At 09:15 the lockie opened the lock 65 and we were ready to go. The little cruiser, who had set off just behind us was nowhere to be seen? Five minutes later he zoomed around the bend and into view. The red face bearded owner was all flustered. All he said was blasted carrier bags around me prop!
We made steady progress down the 18. No problems except all of us eventually were down the weed hatch clearing rubbish from our props. Mine was a strong fabric strap wrapped around the prop. The type you find on ruck sacks. Anyway, by 13:30 we cleared the 18. My 2 fellow boaters decided to stop at the New Islington Basin but we continued down the Rochdale 9.
It was only 16:00 when we reached Castlefields so decided to keep on going down the Bridgewater canal. By 19:30 we reached a nice countryside mooring near Dunham town bridge and stopped for the day. Yet another long day of 12 hours and we were ahead of schedule.

Day 3: Down the Rochdale we go...

Day 3: 19th August. At 09:30 the lock keeper arrived to unlock the paddles on the summit lock 37. By 10:00 we were locking through alone. The weather was kind with sunshine and cloud. We had a long day ahead of us as we wanted to reach lock 63. Here are safe moorings near the Irk Aquaduct and a good launch pad for the Manchester 18.
The lockie helped us down the Littleborough flight and we were soon at Smithy Bridge. Good progress and we even had time to call into the Asda by bridge 58. We even treated ourselves to a Big Mac!
We reached lock 63 around 19:30 and settled to some tea and a rest. It had been a long day but the days goal was reached and we were all happy with our progress. Tomorrow was the dreaded 'Manchester 18'!

Day 2: Up the Rochdale we go.

Sunday 18th August:-
The rain had left us and we set off from lock 15 in grey damp conditions. The sun came out at Todmordon where we topped up the water ( our hose was just long enough!), emptied the bog and topped up our bottled water for drinking.
We past through the guillotine lock 19 and proceeded quickly up the canal into beautiful moorland scenery in what was now a sunny warm afternoon.
Before we knew it, we had reached lock 36. It was padlocked and we therefore settled there for the night. We were a bit restless at first as the short pound where the visitor moorings were was very low. We expected to ground overnight but when morning came, we were OK.

Day 1: Sowerby bridge to lock15

Saturday 17th August 2013:-
After a restless night on Pippin, we woke to sunshine and cloud. The forecast was for rain later so we wanted to get away ASAP. This was scuppered by other boaters. 5 of us wanted to go through Tuel Lane lock. I was booked in 3rd but we ended up being last through because a hire boat went straight into the lock and all plans were ruined. To say that I was annoyed was an understatement!!! Anyway, after being ready to go at 8am, we finally got through the big lock and on our way at 12 noon. Half a day wasted already and we had a schedule to keep to.
The trip to lock 15 started in bright conditions but by lock 6 of the Rochdale, it started to rain heavily. By lock 15, we were soaked through and decided to stop for the night. Funny thing, even though we were last through Tuel Lane Lock, we had past the other 4 boats by Hebden Bridge!