Friday 17th May

We left Ellesmere and went over to the services at the C&RT depot and then motored on back up the Llangollen to Frankton Junction where we turned onto the Montgomery.  We were the only boat going down the locks today though there were a few going back up. 

 

We moored up at the junction Weston Branch for lunch and made good use of the picnic tables there - one for eating lunch on and the other for sorting out my plants!  Muffin loved the big grassy area as we were able to get his football out for a good game of noseball. 

I was surprised at how straight the canal is and a little disappointed at how the hedges have been allowed to grow into small trees which obstruct the view but all in all a lovely canal.

Lock cottage at Frankton Locks

We passed through Maesbury Marsh and went down to Gronwen Wharf where we turned round and headed back to Canal Central where Penny and Jim had left their motorhome last Sunday. 

In the evening we walked back to bridge 79 and to the Navigation Inn.  We had eaten there last December when we met John and Fiona Slee from NB Ephiphany though that time we had arrived by car.  Then the pub only had one bar open and a roaring log fire, this time the whole place was open and no fire – mind you a fire would have been very welcoming with the rotten weather.  We had an excellent dinner and then walked back to Mary H.

 

Ellesmere Wharf to Canal Central, Maesbury Marsh

10.62 miles
8 locks
2 lift/swing bridges