Llangollen to the Monty…

We left Llangollen at 9 o’clock yesterday morning in glorious sunshine, and had a very swift trip, owing to the current being with us, and no hold ups.  Back over Pontcysllte and Chirk Aqueducts.  We got as far as the Poacher’s Pocket at Chirk, and decided to stop for lunch as it was Rog’s birthday.  After lunch we continued on for an hour or so and moored near the village of St Martin’s Moor.  The countryside was even more stunning in the sunshine.

The ruined Castell Dinas Bran

Back in England having just crossed Chirk Aqueduct

The Poacher’s Pocket, where we had a very nice lunch

Our mooring

Karen very kindly made Rog a birthday cake – date and walnut, and it was yummy!

11.25 miles and 0 locks

This morning, we set out for Frankton Junction and the Montgomery Canal, having booked passage down the locks, ( a 2 lock staircase and then 2 separate locks) which are only open from 12 – 2 every day.  We arrived around 11.30 and found 2 boats ahead of us, and a couple waiting to come up the locks.  The lock-keeper started 2 boats down the 2 lock staircase first, then intended to lock one up, but he was taking so long in the lock below that he waved Serenity into the first lock.  After them, he let 2 come up, so it was 1.30 before we even started to lock down – Serenity had been waiting ages for us at the bottom!  We continued on and found a mooring in the middle of nowhere – not really big enough for 2 boats our length, but we managed to squeeze in.  The Monty is very wild and beautiful, and it’s only possible to moor on visitor moorings, which are few and far between.

Turning at  Frankton Junction

Fourth in line

In the 2nd lock of the staircase

Moored almost in the undergrowth

A Peacock Butterfly by our mooring – not sure if this is a bit early for them

5.6 miles and 7 locks