Sorry about the delay on this…..I thought I published it….evidently not.
Once we left Llangollen, it was a repeat in the reverse order of running ahead of the boat to make sure that there wasn’t anyone coming towards us. But, because it was a Tuesday after the big holiday weekend, we didn’t see one boat coming the opposite direction. Until, that is we crossed the Pontcysyllte (Pont-cuss-ulth-tay) Aqueduct. There was a boat coming towards us and having a difficult time staying straight. So, we pulled off to the side and hopped off to hold our boat while they passed. What a big mistake that was. This TOTAL Karen came out and started screaming at us to get off her lawn. We weren’t even standing on her lawn. We were standing on the concrete edging that belonged to the canal. Of course, I started screaming back about how we were sorry, and thanked her for making us feel so welcome in Wales. As the boat we were pulling to the side for passed us, the lady driving giggled at us and told us not to pay any attention to her, she’s a known curmudgeon.
We only drove another 7 minutes or so and stopped to moor for the night. We had to be at the marina between 9-9:30 the next morning. So, if we left by 8am we would be there perfectly. So we decided to walk back over the aqueduct and have a drink at on of the pubs at the junction. We had a nice evening eating and drinking. Probably drank a bit too much, to be honest. Because we walked back at dusk, I wanted to go back and throw the last of our eggs at Karen’s house. Debbie was the voice of reason and asked how I was to be bailed out when the cops arrested me. Debbie….the voice of reason…who woulda thought? 🤣
We learn all sorts of things about our friends on trips like this. Shockingly, Michelle is afraid of heights…sorta. She was game to walk across the bridge, but she had to hang on to the railing and/or the person walking in front and didn’t stop to look around. Huh. I’ve known her for 40 years. Never knew that.
We spent the evening finishing up all the food we bought. Which really was just a charcuterie board and some fruit. Girl dinner! Then we decided to do the masks I brought along for a girlie thing to do. I don’t think we’ve laughed harder. While we looked like skeletons during the mask, we were very moisturized after the mask. Wales is much drier that I’m used to, so it was very welcome.
The next morning we made it back to the marina on time, and back to London early afternoon. We went to a show that night and my friends flew back the following day. What a trip!
Some further thoughts about this Narrowboat stuff. I don’t think this trip is for everyone. We absolutely loved it, but we are all adventure loving folk. The beds were very narrow. And it was tight quarters for six people. Four people would be a more comfortable journey. My recommendation for those who are used to finer accommodations would be to stop along the way at stay at some of the cute hotels and B&B’s. There are plenty. If you do it that way, then you could conceivably have 6 aboard and take turns sleeping on the boat.
Cheers! Thanks for joining us!
