Sorry for the long gap between posts but we have not been able to go on a long cruises this year as I have been waiting for consultants and follow up hospital appointments which also involved changes to medication which complicated it all. During a routine visit to the doctors they found that I had Atrial Fibrillation. I have just had a 2nd cardioversion procedure which has reset my heart rate and hopefully this one will be successful. The cardiology unit staff at our local hospital have been fantastic. Will take it easy in July and August enjoying the summer!!!!! and with luck we will be able to cruise BB in September. We have been on a few visits by car to some canals -pictures below- and have had a few days out on BB when we knew dates had been arranged.
We had a road trip to Wales which included some watery sites. If you have not been to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum it is well worth the effort but to fully appreciate it you do need 2 days.
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| The famous Iron bridge over the River Severn-1779- you can see where the graceful lines of the iron bridges on the Oxford Canal came from |
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| The terminus of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in the centre of Brecon |
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| Looking towards the terminus at Brecon |
The Ironbridge site is huge but for those interested in canals the area around Coalport is fascinating as the Shropshire Union Canal makes an appearance. It is linked via the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal that left the Shroppie at Norbury Junction. The canal and tramways connected the site of the Blist Hill Blast Furnaces around Coalport and was connected by the Hay Inclined Plane with a vertical change of 213ft.
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| Looking down the Hay Inclined Plane in which tub boats were winched up from Coalport Wharf by the River Severn-last used in the 1890's |
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| The end of the Shroppie by the old blast furnaces in Coalport. |
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| Not in Wales this time but a short distance from our marina at Calcutt is the Willow Wren new training site where they are restoring the old entrance to the Nelson Cement Works. |
