Llangollen trip day#4

Tuesday 16th May 2023

Cap’n is usually careful in his choice of overnight stopping places, as far as is possible, in order to get a quiet night for sleeping. Last night’s choice was excellent until it came to bed time. As we laid our heads against our pillows we found we could hear/feel constant, and very annoying low frequency noise. It was neither the railway or the A38 which we were between. If we stood up it wasn’t audible so it must have been transmitted via the ground or water to Jannock’s hull rather than through the air. What could it be?

This morning we got a huge clue – HS bleeding2! The works have come much nearer the canal than last time we passed and we had managed to moor just before they were visible to us. We pity the poor sods who are having to still live near the works – a farm was evident. It would be a nightmare. ( We had tried the HS2 website to see where it was being routed but the site was last updated in 2019 and so was definitely NOT up to date. We now fully understand why HS2 is employing so many archaeologists – the work is enough to waken the dead, so they have to be found new resting places.

 

We moved off at 9am and headed to Fradley were we took on water before the swing bridge and also dumped our rubbish. Then, left at the junction and up through Middle and Shadehouse locks assisted by volunteer lockies. Then through Woodend lock past the empty cottage (more HS2 disruption)  and onto to Rugely via Handsacre.

 

We tried mooring before bridge 68 but a short narrowboat has stopped right in the middle of a large space not leaving sufficient room either end for us to fit in. He said he would move but as other boats were trying to pass us we couldn’t hang around waiting and so finally moored up after the bridge instead.

we moored after a young couple on their way to Terdebigge top lock dry dock. they are boat painters and have been contracted to do a boat there. It turned out the chap used to live in Thame at the other end of the town from us. It’s a small world. Shopping and 200hr engine service completed, we walked up to the Plaza as it’s steak night in Wetherspoons tonight.

G&B