Whixall Moss

Monday 13th July

A day of flat cruising lay ahead of us with no locks at all! Immediately we had to pass through the two lift bridges after Whitchurch.

Many of the accommodation bridges on this canal have a small hole in one side (often with a door) to store stop planks which can be used at the bridge narrow.

It was a warm, sunny morning so we took it in turns to steer or read. The first major point to pass was the junction with the Prees Branch - now restored for a short distance up to a marina. We opted to make direct to Llangollen and then decide what time was available for the branches. A lift bridge crossed the canal right at the water level.

Whixall Moss is a very flat area of peat bogs and the canal runs very straight across it.
A little later, after a stop for lunch, we passed alongside some of the meres. These large lakes are supposed to be relics of the Ice Age - the canal threads its way between them, at a distinctly higher level.

Ellesmere Tunnel is very short and heralds the arrival into Ellesmere. Just before the junction is a marina and we stopped to fill up with diesel. We also replaced the bow rope as the original one was frayed in the middle - not quite sure what event caused this! the new rope does its job but does not feel as good as the old one! After leaving the marina - not especially easy as the entrance is very tight - we stopped at the BW Yard for disposal and to fill up the water tank.

Soon after setting off once again the sunny weather turned very different and some heavy showers took over, with the occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder. In between there were still some bright sunny intervals.

We stopped at Frankton Junction to check on the opening times for the Montgomery Canal - only 7 miles but probably worth taking a look if we have time on the return trip. In the distance we could now begin to see the hills and mountains of Wales.

Yet more rain but we carried on until we were in sight of the two New Marton Locks before mooring for the night. as soon as we stopped the usn shone and there was a cheerful blue sky!