We headed over to Trevor at the Llangollen end of the Pontcysyllte aquaduct to pick up our boat. Knowing we'd be out in colder weather, we were pleased to have been able to book a boat with a proper solid fuel stove on it.
Once loaded, we were given the guided tour of the boat and sent on our way.
We decided to head "downstream" with the goal of reaching Ellesmere - so it was straight over the aquaduct. Needless to say, we had to wait to get across - only 30 mins! Anyway, we were on our way.As always, the experience of going over the Pontcysyllte was magical.
It was 4:30 before we were on the aquaduct but soon started to make good time. We got down and through Crick tunnel just as the light was starting to fade. Now the fun bit, finding somewhere to moor a 65ft boat on the narrow sections of the canal!
Eventually, we found somewhere and got the stove going - what a lovely treat on a hire boat!
Soon, the red wine was warmed and ready to drink - lovely
Tuesday saw me turn 40 - did I feel any different, not in the slightest - other than very relaxed and enjoying spending quality time with my family and mum.
Our friend Lesley-Ann had even made me a special cake for the occassion
We decided to head to Ellesmere and see how we were for time for there. The run down was pretty straight forward, although there were loads of leaves in the cut making progress slow at times. New Marton locks didn't provide too much of a delay - 2 boats in front so pretty quick for this stretch of canal.Approaching Ellesmere we had our first mishap. Being treated to a chocolate eclair (and not the pastry version), I felt a nasty crack in my mouth - oops, managed to break half of one of my teeth off. Hmm, plans were about to change!
Fortunately, we got into Ellesmere and found a dentist before they closed and they were able to offer an appointment for the following morning to have it looked at. So plans for going out and eating were put on hold and instead we had the meat pie my mum had brought with her - yum!
While I was feeling sorry for myself, the boys had gone to find some sticks for the fire - only for Ben to find a wasp which stung him 4 times on the hand - not a very pleasent mishap number 2.
Wednesday morning saw the tooth bandaged up and we decided to head back upstream and see about getting up to Llangollen. With the restricted cruising times of autumn, we felt we should be able to make it.
As we passed the end of the Montgomery, we decided to pull in and take a walk down. It does look a lovely canal, especially in the light we had that day
We pushed on back and managed to get through Chirk tunnel with the light fading rapidly - eventually mooring in the dark looking for some SUCS moorings that we knew to be just through the tunnel. Unfortunately, this meant mooring next to the factory for the night which wasn't so pleasent, but tucked up inside the boat we soon didn't notice.That night started mishap number 3; Daniel being sick. He woke in the night coughing and ended up being sick a few times through the night. Fortunately, it didn't last long but knocked him out for the day. We pushed on up to Llangollen where we stopped for supplies before heading back down to Trevor.
As we didn't want to moor at the boatyard for the night, we crossed the aquaduct again, turned and were able to moor just before the aquaduct.
Friday morning was spent sorting a few things before heading back in to base. On crossing the aquaduct we were met by staff from Anglowelsh to help us put the boat in. As they wanted it turning they were happy for me to try putting the boat in; this involved a 180° turn across the stream. I have to admit, I thought I did a good job of it without trashing the engine around. A minor nudge of the side as we pulled in alongside the edge was the only blemish!
On the way home, we decided to call in at the Anderton lift as well as we knew it wasn't too far away and the boys were interested to see it. An amazing feat of engineering and an even greater feat to get it restored to working condition.
