A few of the best bits of the Llangollen - very slowly!

Saturday 14 April - Left Hampton Bank and cruised less than 2 miles (that's what I like about this canal - so many lovely places to stop) and moored at Colemere - with a fabulous view of the lake on a beautiful day and in the sun, as no leaves on the trees yet (see new picture!).  Walked Ebony back to collect the car then spent 3 days catching up with jobs and walking round the mere - collecting wood for the fire as I went.

Chatted to a chap who was working on the tumbledown house and stable by Little Mill Bridge.  He is a narrowboater (from Whixall Marina) and bought the buildings at auction after, like so many, wishing that something would be done to the buildings before they completely collapsed.  He has now got planning permission to restore and will having his living quarters upstairs - with a fantastic view of the mere.  Can't wait to see progress on my return next month.

On Monday I tore myself away from this idyllic mooring as rain was forecast.  At Ellesmere I moored just before the marina on 14 day moorings, walking back to get car asap.  For the next few days there was plenty of rain and showers - and the towpath deteriorated from solid clay to gritty sludge and huge puddles - making a right mess of my recently polished boat, not to mention carpets.  It was lovely to be back in the old town, such a great holiday feeling when I walk through, even when I used to live not far away.  On Friday, after a good clean through, I left the boat and at 11.30 ex-boatowning friends, Graham and Lyn, arrived to boatsit - and a good job they did too - thank you!  I went to son and family in Kent and the next day left Ebony in their care and drove to Worthing in Sussex for a 40th Wedding Anniversary party where I met up with many friends from our 60's youth club in Haywards Heath.  A good do, stayed the night and we all breakfasted together then strolled along the prom and on the pier before the finale of Sunday Lunch.  I returned to Kent for a few more days with grandchildren.

On Tuesday I drove back to the boat - just as well as on Wednesday I went down with the bug I had caught in Tunbridge Wells - no need to stock the fridge yet!

Thursday I felt much better and took the boat into the canal arm where I could make the most of being nearer the town, Vermeulen's, butcher, lovely new card shop etc and Tesco's.  Amazingly I was moored near 2 boats I had overwintered with here 2 winters ago - it's a small world when you are boating.

After 2 out of the 3 allowed days (how is it even when the arm is busy some boaters always have to stay over a week!) and before the bad weather arrived, I set off.  The water at the wharf was so fast it kept blowing the hose off, so after 3/4 hour and, embarassingly, a lot of wasted water I had 1/3 tank and left it at that - well it will last me a week anyway.

Am now moored 40 mins away at the lovely friendly small village (absolutely no facilities!) of Tetchill, where I had a house for 10 years (but rented it out for the last five whilst living on the boat).  Time to sit out the winds and rain and meet up with many of my lovely ex-neighbours and friends in the village.  I liked the house but don't miss it as much as the lovely feeling and friendliness of the settlement.

After that will slowly make my way to Llangollen - and probably arrive after BH weekend when I hope to get a mooring in the basin!  I will by then be joined by my daughter and family.

Cruise 2012 and No Splash!

I had a lovely winter in Swanley Marina, following the boatpaint, and spending quite a lot of time visiting family and friends over Christmas (a big family gettogether in Devon), New Year etc. Also childminded 3 of my grandchildren in middle of March whilst their parents were celebrating their forthcoming 10^th wedding anniversary in Florence. I had a great time!

On Saturday 24 March, on a lovely hot and sunny, windless day, I set off across the marina – only to find that the oil warning light was still on. I was given a mooring just beside entrance, with a good view of passing boats, and had to wait until Monday for the resident engineer. He diagnosed faulty sender and on Wednesday 28^th the part arrived, Eric fitted it straight away and I was able to leave. I just went up 2 locks to moor at Ravensmoor to do a few jobs in the lovely sunshine.

Next day I went to Wrenbury, had lunch out on the decking (the last of the really hot days – 17 degrees!) at the Dusty Miller with an ex-boating friend who very kindly took me back to get my car – which I am moving for a few weeks as I have 2 outings planned when I need wheels.

On Friday evening eldest son Steve, Julia and Lauren (6) arrived for the weekend. Another opportunity to visit the Dusty Miller! Next morning, after moving their car to Whitchurch, we set off at 11am working elec lift bridge, 2 locks before, and 3 after, lunch, then moored below Grindley Brook. Spent the evening playing Mousie-Mousie (last played in the 70's) and then cards.

Sunday morning was frosty, but warm when we set off at 10 and were able to work all the GB locks without long delays, with 3 other boats. At the top, I was sorting out toilet cassettes whilst Steve and Lauren fed ducks from the towpath. Next moment Lauren was standing their – dripping wet. Apparently she had taken a step forward and gone straight into canal – no splash or yell! Luckily we were beside the Sanny Station and she was able to have a shower immediately. Meanwhile we moved the boat to take on water then again to have lunch. After, we continued on to moor in Whitchurch Arm and walk into town, via swings etc. They left the next morning after a good weekend.

I spent the next few days cruising a few miles then cycling back for the car. Had a couple of nights in Prees Arm – away from the now very busy and fast pre-Easter hire boats. Friday am took the boat to Whixall Marina and drove to spend a lovely weekend in Lancashire with my daughter, Lesley, and family. We were able to celebrate husband, Phil's, and Louise's 3^rd, birthdays. Also Easter weekend so we had a busy, enjoyable, time.

Returned to boat on Tuesday and went back onto SUCS moorings in the peaceful Arm. On Wednesday I continued on to Hampton Bank, below Welshampton, to spend 3 days chilling, catching up with jobs and walking in the lovely sunshine. Had a nice evening with almost-relatives in Wem.  Also cycled back for the car – this time via roads to the marina.