Llangollen trip day#7

Friday 19th May 2023

Graham was up and cast off by 08:15, as planned, in an attempt to get some distance in before the forecast rain arrived. Unfortunately the Met Office forecast changed overnight and so he spent all morning steering in the drizzle. Bah humbug! The galley staff snoozed abed until the need for warm croissants became too great.

 

At least he got around to trying out his new weather protection system – OK, a silly umbrella hat, as advertised in Waterways World. Unfortunately we passed Graham's third favorite pub 9 hours before it opened today :^(

There is an abundance of May flowers bankside, in the fields and lanes, a white froth everywhere. Unfortunately, we have only seen two bushes that have started their pink blushes. It’s still too cold for a lot of the insects that the May needs to pollenate them so they will turn pink. Lets hope it warms up enough before the flowers drop or the animals and birds will have fewer berries to eat come the autumn.

 

On the other hand, going through the various cuttings today, the emerging ferns are lovely. They are reaching for the sky, and sunshine, out-competing other plants.

 

Onto Tyrley locks, with some trepidation as the by-washes are running fast and powerfully. With the top lock ready, the second with an open top gate and other boats ascending the flight, they were a breeze! Especially as on the bottom two, Graham opened the top paddles as I left the lock in order to reduce the by-wash flow rate whilst flushing Jannock out of the lock at the same time. Result!

 

Down through Market Drayton to stop at Victoria bridge (No 65) just after the main town moorings. This is the nearest place to the Morrisons store in town, only a short walk up Maer Lane. We lucked out with almost half of our shop consisting of short dated chilled items at greatly reduced prices. Meatball subs for lunch tomorrow and chocolate oat-milk on Brenda’s cereals at breakfast time.

 

Then on to Betton Wood bridge (66) for a quiet mooring away from the roads. Lots of locks tomorrow but weather looking kind at present.

G&B