Llangollen, Llangollen and Llangollen....

We're in love... 

This place is truly wonderful... it really is.

The views, the people the atmosphere - even the over-priced eateries are lovely.

Illness a side (which thanks for asking is over the worst now) we've had a lovely trip up here and stay.

I'll rewind a bit to bring you up to speed.

SINCE my last missive, we've travelled along through beautifull scenery, stunning views and even encountered many a friendly boater... the friendliest of which have been hirers - well for the most part. 

OK, so yes there are a few that are going too fast... but perhaps that is down to poor hand overs from the hire-firms... OR simply high-spirits....  ONE gang we came accross the other morning (mixed not same sex) were merrily drinking cider and beer at 8.30 am...  EVEN experts like us moderate drinkers like us don't start THAT early...

well not very often!

So then - were did I leave off? ... I have a feeling we were just about to head across the PontyWhat's it's face aqueduct thingy...

As we peeked Ellis's nose around the corner, we could see the coast was clear so full steam ahead... well by that I mean about 1000 rpm and bugger all happens as when the channel goes thinner, the constant flow of water (remember those 12 million gallons a day) speeds up and impedes progress.

I must admit, it was very hard not to clonk the back end into the port side of the trough... the flow constantly trying to push the back in... it felt weird trying to crab along it but for the most part I managed to avoid colliding - admittedly we did have a few touches and it was a little scary to see how much it flexes!!!

The sad thing is, that someday - and it WILL happen, when a boat hits it TOO hard, the whole thing will come crashing down and the cynic in me doubts it'll ever get repaired... I hope I'm wrong.

We chucked a left at Trevor Basin and began our final ascent to Llangollen.

It's quite narrow in many parts up there so at times there wasn't a lot of room to pass boats coming the other way - particularly hirers who panicked and ended up across the canal lol. NO problem though... it was actually a fun trip up and everyone was good spirited....

Where it gets REALLY thin, there are a couple of "passing spots" and at those, it's really easy to see the flow of water as you squeeze the boat though... it's also quite shallow so we kept dragging our bum on the bottom...

ON the last stretch, I asked the crew to all sit up the front to help (in theory) lift the heavy end up a bit more... NOT that I'm saying they are rotund or anything but every little helps...

This house is famous in local history for it's links with "The Ladies of Llangollen"... you can read all about it here  https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/WqewRSUAAB8sVaKN as I'm not going to waffle on too much tonight...

Once moored up in the basin, I went back down to the Tea-room to pay the mooring fee - 2 nights for 12 quid with electric hookup included...  

After a quiet night, the next day we wandered up to Horseshoe falls with our friends...  it's got a lovely tyrolean feeling about it ... in the sunshine it was breathtaking.

The beginning of the Canal however is a little less exciting... basically a big "drain" for want of  a better term  where water comes through from the river Dee.

The other side however is still lovely...

and in the sunshine, several groups we having fun sailing/rafting ribs down the falls...  ONE of which got stuck for ages ... of course I took the photos with the other camera and that's not with me as I type this...  I'll share a few zoomed in shots next time if you remind me...

Wandering back down from the falls, we stopped for a pint in the hotel at the chain bridge... every view around here is stunning...

Back down in the village/town, our friends/guests offered to take us out for dinner to save either of us cooking - given our feeble state, it was much appreciated. 

The views from the bridge are also breathtaking - as are the ones from one of the pubs we went in.

Once our guests departed, when we SHOULD have been cleaning and prepping the boat for the new ones, we took the chance to catch up with our friends Eddie and Wendy who were also in the area... 

we traveled with them for a couple of months last year and it was lovely to be reunited again...  a lot has changed since last time we boated with them - this time last year, my father was at deaths door on life-support whilst mum was floundering...  12 months on, he's recovering and doing very well (apart from being broken hearted) and she's dead... 

Seize the day!

Joyce would have loved this place though - we often went on family holidays to Wales as kids and as a result it's got a special place in my heart.... she'd have loved Llangollen - so would dad and it's a shame they were never able to come here.

We've had fish and chips in her memory today...

Until next time...