Tuesday 23rd May 2023
After a peaceful night punctuated by the beautiful ‘dawn chorus from hell’ at about 4am, we set off into Ellesmere for shopping and the services. Tuesday is Market day so we set off hoping to find half a dozen stalls selling usual market stuff. Instead we found a small collection of indoor gazebos selling craft bits and stuff, a chap selling pies, another selling Hornby railway items and a charity tea stall. Back to Tesco then.
The town looks rather sad, obviously Covid and rising prices have taken their toll. Even with Tesco on the old cheese-factory site there should be enough passing trade for commerce to revive. Saddest of all was the dilapidation of the old warehouse in the basin and the canal company building up by the junction. Prime development sites perhaps when funds are available.
We then moved up the the CaRT yard and tied up on the water point for a fill of the tank and to dump our rubbish. There are a lot more recycling facilities at CaRT sites up here than down home. Luckily we have been separating re-cyclable items on Jannock.
We carried on towards Frankton junction but soon noticed we were being followed by a cruiser so we slowed down and pulled over towards the side to let him past. Shortly afterwards we found ourselves following them, both behind a dawdling narrowboat.
The steerer was oblivious to either following boats presence behind her and stayed steadfastly in the centre without looking behind at all. The cruiser tried to pass at Frankton junction but failed. When the husband emerged from the cabin, he indicated the procession behind their boat and she pulled over, but didn’t slow down, to allow the cruiser to pass.
Meanwhile we were still there following them until we got through Maestemyn bridge where she moved across towards the services wharf to let us past. She then put her boat into full reverse and the bows swung across our path. Mega-reverse and contact avoided.
We then continued on at a better rate past the now defunct ‘The Poachers’ at Hindford and on through both New Marton locks and finally moored for the night just after Sarn Bridge (No14). Another rural location before Chirk.
G&B
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