Escape from Llangollen

Tuesday 22 May 2018

We left Llangollen yesterday after a very enjoyable two days. Before leaving we went round the independent shops in town and visited the excellent butchers, bakers and deli.

The journey out through the narrows was far less stressful as there were less boats coming in - although this did change as we went further down past the Pontycysyllte aqueduct. Anne went completely forward and made sure no boats entered the narrows and then rang me with the all clear. It was surprising that the majority of boaters did not know about the narrows or that they should send someone forward - even though there are signs.

Once we had passed the Ponty aqueduct there followed two narrow tunnels both of which we had to wait for many boats- they just kept on coming!!!!! boy is the Llangollen busy thank heavens we will be off it before the bank holiday weekend and school holidays next week.

Tonight we are moored just outside Ellesmere in open country side.Tomorrow is a visit to the local deli and a replacement gas bottle,one has just run since the fiasco near Nuneaton on 17 April. Then it's onwards towards Grindley Brook hopefully the hire boaters will be kind to us. Since we were last here in 2008 it has got a lot busier and it will be a relief to get off it.

Our final view of Llangollen basin which has room for 30 boats

The dreaded narrows

Waiting at Whitehouses tunnel for the steady stream

There are some fabulous houses near the canal with some fascinating additions

A house at Chirk Bank with a collection of canal memorabilia