Weed hatch adventure

Well got up early to have a log delivery.  It was a convenient location to get them straight onto the front of the boat.

Whilst out sorting logs we were looking in the water which was so crystal clear we could see something around oPPontcysylltesyllte Aqueduct

ontcysyllte Aqueduct

r propeller. It looked like a coal bag.  Only one answer down through the weed hatch to investigate. 

It was worse than expected. Plastic,  metal,  rope and twine.  It was a real mess and add ice cold water was not fun.

After that eventful morning I decided to go off and decide where we were mooring next. Walked towards poachers pocket pub. 

When I got back to the boat my husband was chatting to an elderly man. He use to the lock keeper at new marten locks. He had worked for British Waterways he whole life and some amazing stories.  One being he skated from Ellesmere to the Pontcysyllte aqueduct when the canal froze in 1963. He also worked on an ice breaker which is now in the waterways museum in Ellesmere Port. He said he use to operate the dredging boat up here.  He said he retired 22 years ago and they retired dredging boat at same time so no wonder there is very little clearance on the Llangollen Canal. 

We then moved on towards poachers pocket as it was a beautiful day and these big storms are suppose to be coming. Now all moored up and the wind is picking up. 

Very windy and more to come

Forecast for high winds over next few days. Got family coming at the weekend to go over the aqueducts not sure it is looking too good. Also this canal has lots of trees so often have them come down over the canal and block passage. 

We have travelled along with the wind nearly blowing us off the back of the boat and this is just the start. Decided to moor up for lunch as so cold.

Well set off after lunch the wind getting worse.  Slowly moved up through the locks towards St martens moor.  Filled with water and struggled to move back out.  Didn't get much further and moored as wind so strong.  Now moored in gap where no trees just in case any wind problems. It is now raining and miserable and weather suppose to get worse :-(

Looking for Internet on the towpath

Well today started with rain.  Then mid morning the sun came out and I decided on a walk up the canal to see where we should moor next. We will only moor where we can be connected. I walked firstly to Frankton junction a few spots had good Internet which is great but really want to get further.

As I came to the junction the towpath had a swan sitting there.  I think he was waiting at a garden gate and assume the owners feed them regularly.

Frankton Junction - Montgomery Canal - CRT emptied the locks this morning after the 2 boats who had booked went through.  Engineers are coming to check the paddles.  It was odd to see CRT work boat on the bottom of an empty lock :-)

I then walked on towards New Martens Locks. Passing the Jack Mitton pub which was so quiet compared to the summer when it is impossible to get a mooring. 

Planning day

Busy day planning and off in car to see where we could park when we move. Also to see what Internet is like and not looking good.  The only thing that we can't live without is the Internet.  One day someone will sort a great system for boats with unlimited bandwidth.  We can dream. ...

Couple of visitors due over weekend so they can go over aqueduct before we travel away.  Nice to see people let's hope the weather is good for them.

Busy cold day

We woke to a cold frosty morning. Even had a frozen hatch

Busy day planned.  We have brought some new leisure batteries and need to put them in. The old ones are going to a local boater who can not afford to replace hers.  She will get far more from them than us selling them to recycling centre. My husband removed them from the boat and I put each battery on my shopping trolley and moved them to her boat.  It was an icy morning so took a little while but well worth it.  My husband was putting in new ones while moved old ones. 

I then decided on a few trips to tesco to stock the boat with tins.  Just in case we get stuck in ice or snow.  While i was shopping my husband got chatting to lovely man who said he got divorced at 65 and decided to go back packing around the World. Came back and decided to buy a narrowboat.  He has been cruising ever since.  He has been cruising as part of a pair with a lovely lady.  It was such a lovely friendship made me think how fantastic the boating community are.

After doing normal boating house keeping like water and toilets.  We decided to move on. My husband moved the car and I moved the boat.  It was a such a beautiful evening.  Photo mooring up for evening :-)

Working out car logistics while continously cruising

Well today is a bit rainy and grey. We plan on moving into town to fill up with water and do some shopping.  We also have to move our car from marina so the logistics start. I know many people who manage and in this area after exploring for a few years we know places.  What happens as we move into unknown territory?  Asked on twitter and was suggested we get a bike then cycle ahead to work out where to park before moving.  I am tempted to park it up with family but I worry about emergencies with my children and needing to get to them at university. We shall see how we get on.

Right moved down to Ellesmere so we can get provisions and fill up with water.  Will stay here tonight but already think we are a stay one night and move on sort of people.  I assume this is to do with us normally always moving when on the boat. We will see a few more trips to tesco for tins so we emergency supplies if weather changes.

The view out of the window this evening is of Ellesmere dry dock and CRT yard. These are the friendliness bunch you could meet will miss them but we will be back next winter.

Colemere walk - Llangollen Canal

Lovely walk while moored on Llangollen Canal -Colemere near Ellesmere

Access the mere at either canal bridge 54 or 55. There are 48hr visitor moorings over looking Colemere with mooring rings between these two bridges.

There is a circular walk of about 2 miles around the whole mere.  It is a favourite amongst dog walkers so can be quite busy. It is really enjoyable.  

Colemere has a sailing club on its shores.

First morning

Well first night out moored at one of our favourite places not far from marina just past the Mere.  Thought we would have a few days here.  Testing out new generator and biggest positive we have good Internet on our phones in the boat. You will come to realise that we only moor where we get signal as an important part of our life.  This is the first time using Blogger on my telephone.  My spelling is normally awful but add predictive text will be even more interesting :-)

Sun is out blue sky and warned up significantly so feels good.  Roast pork and potatoes on top of wood burner and now time to walk around Colemere. We just walk from bridge on canal around the mere it is a beautiful place. 

Such a nice day went for trip to Hampton bank as so beautiful just had to do some boating.  Coming back the sun was setting with the moon in the sky it was stunning.  Can not believe it's January! 

New year new adventure - Happy New Year Everyone

Well today is the day...

The new adventure begins, well maybe not. Firstly we have not been able to move because the marina has had an inch of ice and they shut it to protect the boats from any damage. This morning it has warmed up so defrosted but..... loads of winds. This marina is crammed full of boats especially as they have so many hire boats moored up for winter. Not sure we will get out so fingers crossed for after lunch...

Had lunch and still very windy but I am losing patience and want to be gone and out in the real World not a marina just looking at boats moored next to me :-(

We are out....