Well in Pearson's Canal guide for the Llangollen canal he refers to the exodus of hire boats descending Grindley Brook Staircase on Thursdays. He was not wrong and we timed it beautifully. Yesterday we managed 17 miles, 9 locks and 5 lift bridges, all against the flow of boats, so minimising our work at locks and bridges. This compares with the 8 miles, 6 locks and 3 lift bridges we managed on Wednesday. Admittedley we did cruise for longer setting off about 10am and mooring up here in the Ellesmere Arm at about 5pm. The weather was not perfect, plenty of cloud, cool for June and the occaisional shower but we didn't get more than damp and it would have been warm work for the crew if the temperature had been higher. As it is the crew has put in for a pay rise but settled for lunch at the Black Lion today. I am all heart!
The Arm still has lots of land where the Dairy used to be, which is now available for development. The old wharf is still derelict but we now have a Tesco conveniently in site of our mooring.
At least some effort has been made in its design and it has to some extent copied the style of the old wharf building for its frontage to the canal.
We chose not to move on today after all that effort yesterday and have been for a wander round the town and then down to the Visitor Centre at the Mere, followed by an excellent fish and chip lunch at the Black Lion. We had intended to go for another walk with the dogs after a 'quick' shop at the new Tesco however by the time we got unpacked and had a drink the rain started up again. It steadily built up to a deluge but not until after I took this photo of the crew of Arcadia (from Stenson) bravely sitting out under the trees with umbrellas continuing their chat to the crew of a very fine looking tug moored behind them.
Need more photos
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