John arrived back from our trip with a head cold so the rest of the week he has been resting and sleeping.
We went to Nottingham for a few hours. We parked in a ( Park and Ride ) car park out of the town and caught a bus into town , as the parking availability was at at premium in town and expensive . £3.00 for the bus trip intp town and back for the 4 of us? We had a good walk around and saw old building's that dated back to the 1180's. One was the oldest pub in England ( photos below).
The Old Trip To Jeruselum
The 'Trip To Jerusalem 'is built into the sandstone cliff and has been selling ale since the late 1100's .The Old Salutation Pub was interesting as it had a great selection of different largers and stouts and Guniness approximately 30 in total. The pub also has a resident ghost. A young girl aged between 4 and 5 known as Rosie who was a local urchin that went to beg for food there .Many local people have seen Rosie, hence the pub is a popular visiting place for tourists now.
We also walked the streets where Nottingham Lace was made in the late 1700's. The lace was beautiful and so very fine.
The old buildings that we saw we're maintained wonderfully well and it was great to see the local council looking after their history. We'll done Nottingham.
We also saw a few of the canal boats tied up in the canal . This excitied us, especially with us going on one next week.
26th June
Today brought a beautiful day no clouds and very warm. We made our way to Wrenbury in England, where our canal boat named Fenris was waiting . It is a 48 ft long boat. Complete timber panelling inside with a double bed at one end made up from the couch and at the other end two single beds that are made up permanently and shower toilet in the middle . The kitchen was fully contained at the front of the boat. I had to laugh as John and Peter were redesigning the interior once we were on board having our first cuppa . I think he would love one especially after he got the hang of steering the boat etc . He wished that we had canals in New Zealand he said.
On our way up the canal and after learning to navagate the locks, Mel and I spotted a pub come eatery on the canal side named 'Willy Moore pub'. The pubs were built at the same as the canals. Time for a celebration Guniness , it sure was very refreshing. All along the walls of the pub we're shelves full of different tea pots. A great collection by the landlady which she had collected over many years.
27th ( 2nd day on canal)
Once again another lovely day first thing at 7.30am then the clouds came over and made it pleasant not too hot. Cuppa tea first then Mel and I then had to do 5 locks one of these is known as the Grindley Brook Staircase Locks which has three locks within itself. It takes 3 minutes to full the lock up from empty, then the boat can move on . ( photos below) .
We had a lovely meal at the Black Lion pub , the meal consisted of roast of the day which happens to be chicken . John and I had the same , it looked like we had half a chicken each with a heap, of veggies for only £5.95 pp. I could not resist a starter of whitebait fish from Llangollen.( It was not like kiwi whitebait , they eat Ingunga as white bait here where as we put that back for next sessions adults ) they were individually crumbed and very tasty.They were only £3.00 for a large plate of them .
We noticed on our travel that we get a great view of the farms from the canal and see the different crops and cows, and a few sheep wandering a path along the canal etc . The wild life we have seen is only a few birds and a squirrel or two. As we headed towards Wales we noticed that there were a lot more sheep.
A lot of tourists bring along their dogs for company on the boats and we have found that in the early morning and evening once parked up all the dogs go for a walk .
28th July
Along the way you must keep an eye out for water taps so that you can full up everyday. The canal boat holds 455 litres of water. It has 2 gas cyclinders each containing 19k propane . The motor on this boat is a four cylinder 1500 cc.
We travel approximately 4 kph as there are many boats on the canal and passing them you must go at a slow rate as not to cause the other boats if parked up any problems. You have to drive the boat for at least 5 hours a day to keep the batteries charged up.
In some area of the canal you have to be very careful due to the depth of the water, Other wise you will get stuck on the bottom. If this happens you have to go back and forward and turn the boat on an angle . Most canal boats travel in the middle of the canal and if you are passing another you go to the right hand side . The canal is wide enough for two boats to pass side by side. There are turning bays in the canals where you can turn around.
It surprised us to see the colour of the water as it is a dirty brown. This is due to the boats being very low in the water and also the grey water from your dishes and showers goes into the canal directly.
The toilet water is held in a 200 litre holding tank which is emptied out at the end of the trip.
Going through one of the many tunnels to Llangollen.
We are now back in Wales , ( how do we know , all the bridges we go under have the letter W then a number after it) where as in England the bridges just have numbers ).
We just had a very interesting time spent relaxing whilst waiting in line to go through a lock at New Martin. It took 1 3/4 hours waiting in line to get to the lock for our turn and them 8 minutes to go thru.
We then made our way slowly to the Pontcysylite Aqueduct ( this aqueduct was built between 1795 and 1805. The engineer for this wonderful piece is Thomas Telford) .
On the way we came across several canal boats that had not been secured , only held on the canal by one rope and the occupants were not to be seen. We this happens the currant can cause the boat to move across the canal and block it. When this happens you will see other boaties rush to the help of removing the problem boat and securing it so fellow boaties can pass. Woman and men both do this. It is very noticeable that many woman take the helm and enjoy a peaceful turn at steering. To steer the boat to the left hand side you push the Tiller to the right, then right to go left. Once you have done it for a short time you can master it. Keeping the tiller straight this will keep you on a straight line. John and Peter having done a great job doing this with Marg giving them a break sometimes. There are only two gears forward and reverse.
Tonight we parked up at 5pm close to Llangollen with only about 3 1/2 miles to go. Tomorrow it will be time to have a good look around Llangollen and came back up and visit the Pontcysylite Aqueduct.
On our way into Llangollen, it took quite a while due to a fallen tree that had blocked access right across the canal. A chain saw was brought in and dealt with it very quickly, but the small branches that were left in the canal took time to clear . It all adds to the adventure as the saying goes.
The river Dee going through Llangollen
Can you pronounce this welsh word.
29th July
We have now been in England for 4 weeks. The time seems to of gone quite quickly so to say.
John and I had a great look around the village of Llangollen . It is not a large village with just a few tourist shops and quite a few Pubs and two supermarkets that only hold basic grocerys and 2 butchers. The people were all very friendly and helpful with any questions you asked regarding the village etc.
30th July,
On our way back now to Wrenbury . The boys decided to leave early in the morning today due to the amount of boats that have to get through a very narrow pass , so up at 7.00am and on the way having breakfast in shifts. This pass became very blocked yesterday and it took over 2 hours to travel a short distance, with boats going in both directions.
It is dry wand overcast today with very little blue sky. Was hopeing to get some clothes dry on top on the canal boat.
We have been very lucky with the weather , most days have been sunny and very little wind. Two nights we have had some rain pass over , but it did not last long.
We decided to have a meal in a pub on the canal at the Black Bear and of course a Guniness . This was a beautiful old building dating back to the late 18 century . The cost was only £5.95 pp a meal and £3.50 a pint of Guinness .
I must admit that all the meals we have had at the pubs along the way in England , Wales and Ireland have been very tasty . 10 out of 10 .
The artwork on the canal boats is often commissioned to be done. One popular artist is Ron Houth, who usually paints castles and flowers. The Celtic colours used in painting are mainly bright colours. No pastels colours are used. ( photos below).
1st August 2014.
The last two days on the canal boat have been great , with the sun shining , birds singing and great company what more could you ask for.
We are now on our way back to park up at Wrenbury where we end our trip.
This morning we awoke to a light rain but it still is very warm. Mel and I have managed all the locks on the canal with ease. We are so pleased with ourselves. Especially when you have to do 6 in a row and one of the these a triple staircase lock. The boys have done the steering of the boat between them and learnt heaps . Talking to a few boat owners it can cost a lot to keep a canal boat with registration fees around a £1,000 a year for the canal and river ways to mooring fees from £800.00 for morning on a river to over £4,000 for a mooring for 12 months on a canal.
We all have had a wonderful time relaxing and seeing a different part of England and Wales.
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