Leaving The Montgomery Canal

We decided to stay put on Thursday as the weather forecast was atrocious, Sharon got on with some of her silk painting and I polished some brass we have a lot of brass on Tacet.

Sure enough at 11.00 the rain started and got very heavy into the afternoon. One or Two boats passed us by but the crews did not look as if they were enjoying themselves.

We decided to have an early start on Friday as the forecast was for a sunny day. We were up and set off at 07.30.

We went up to the lift bridge and turned in the winding hole and headed back the way we came.

It was a lovely morning and we were soon at the 3 Aston Locks which we were soon through. A lovely cruise all the way with some stunning scenery its odd but travelling back you see things differently but just as wonderful.. 

We soon arrived at Graham Palmer lock who is the founder of the Waterway Recovery Group. It is a shame that the commemorative stone of Graham which had his face engraved on it has worn and you no longer see his face.

We arrived at the bottom of the last 4 locks and there was 3 boats in front of us, but it did not take long to get through the locks with the lock keepers in charge of the staircase pair.

As we approached Ellesmere we saw NB Mountbatten which plies its trade up and down the Llangollen Canal selling diesel, coal and gas along with other useful things for the boat, so whilst we were filling up with water we hailed them and they tied up beside us and filled the diesel tank for us. Jon and Hannah who run Mountbatten are doing a great job trading on the canal, whilst talking to them both Hannah informed me that they are getting married in September and we wish them great happiness in there married life. 

We are moored at Ellesmere for Friday Night.

We stayed at Ellesmere Saturday as  Sharon wanted her hair cut, she found a hairdresser and they fitted her in for a cut and as always she looks wonderful.

Sunday we left Ellesmere at 10.30 although its been an overcast day it has been warm and we enjoyed a lovely steady cruise up to Grindley Brook locks. On the way we did get stuck behind a holiday boat that just pulled out in front of us and then went so slow zigzagging up the cut. However at a very tight bend he ran aground and we and another boat passed him after checking if he needed a hand which he replied NO.

So we are moored near the top of Grindley Brook locks for the night.

Time Travelled Friday 5 Hours Distance 8 Miles and 8 Locks 

Time Travelled Sunday 5 Hours Distance 13 Miles, 1 Tunnel, 5 Lift Bridges

Total Distance Travelled is 207 Miles 
 56 Locks (Broad)91 single locks and 12 tunnel's, Total Tunnel length 7294  yards   
Total Time 109 hours  
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