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The Good, the Bad and the Windy

It was a bright sunny day when we took the boat from Ellesmere on the next adventure.  I wasn't to know, (they don't include me in their plans) but we were heading for Tattenhall Marina on the Shropshire Union Canal.
It all started well.  We  left the car on a layby and turned round on the arm of the canal by the old wharf buildings.  
Our first stop was for lunch at Blakemere, a pretty little spot with lots of ducks (didn't catch any).  They had lunch (didn't share) then we set off and followed the familiar towpath all the way to the bridge near Welshampton. It was just over three miles from the start so we walked back and collected the car which would spend the next night in the Sun Inn carpark.  I had hoped to join them there for dinner but they left me in the car.  Fortunately, I'd already eaten and, once they'd finished their meal, we walked back in the dark under starry skies to the boat.  
Day two involved a trip along the route we'd done before passing the Prees Arm to Whixhall and continuing through swing bridges all the way to the top of Grindley Brook locks.  That's when things seemed to go wrong.  The electric bike wouldn't go - and they couldn't get a taxi (Sunday?).  Anyway, after a coffee and sticky cake (still didn't share it with me) the bike was fixed and my master cycled back to Welshampton for the car while the mistress gave me my tea. 
Day three started badly.   Grounded in the staircase lock middle level!  We were eventually afloat again and left Grindley Brook heading for Wrenbury where they planned to leave the boat.  He was to go the the station, get the train to Whitchurch, cycle to the car and drive it back.  They needed somewhere to leave the boat, somewhere for at least 2 days and, as all the marinas were full of holiday boats and the moorings were likely to be full, they abandoned it near Marbury.  That's when the front section was attacked by the overhanging branches of a tree that looked ready to fall over.  It ripped the cover so, not only did he cycle all the way back to Grindley Brook, but he had to find somewhere to buy tape to fix the cover temporarily.  She took me for a walk, packed the bags and waited.  Luckily it was still spring sunshine so I sat on the back and enjoyed the rest.  He arrived back, they taped the damage and set off back home.

Two days later, after meetings and a Soup and Roll event in aid of Ukraine, we were heading back to Marbury where we left the car then took the boat to Wrenbury where there were plenty of moorings.  She was in charge of the padlock and it disappeared - eventually found in an upturned umbrella.  
Luckily the damage caused by the tree (that had disappeared - just a pile of logs left by the path when we returned ) was nothing compared to this barge (above) we saw in Wrenbury.

 

On Thursday morning we headed off early going through our first electric controlled swing bridge.  From that point on it was tough going.  I barked and lunged at ducks while they navigated their way down the locks all the way to the end of the Llangollen Canal.  By then I was acting as go-between/referee as things got hectic.  The lock gates were heavy and slow to open, the fenders got trapped and broke off and I wasn't getting many walks.  There were four locks at Hurleston (above) and I couldn't wait to see the back of them.  They couldn't either as the wind kept taking the front of the boat the wrong way,  Scary!


We left the last lock and turned left on the wide Shropshire Union Canal heading for Tattenhall. Exhausted by the effort and battling against the wind, they gave up for the day just by the bridge near Bunbury.  We went a walk to the pub and I was allowed in - and given garlic bread for being such a good dog.
The last day was marred by rain as well as wind and she trapped her thumb in one of the heavy locks.  There were some really nice and helpful people (and some not so helpful) as they struggled with these double gates.  They didn't give me a chance to help! 
The scenery changed from industrial to farmland with views of Beeston Castle and World War II bunkers.  Wildlife included deer and a kingfisher which cheered them up (and ducks, geese and moorhens which kept me happy).  
Finally we reached the entrance to Tattenhall Marina where a strong gust of wind took the boat straight into the brokeridge dock.  Were they giving up already?  Did they plan to sell it? 
Wait for my next exciting episode.


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