Llangollen continued 14th and 15th August

After our long, busy day yesterday the weather was forecast wet and stormy with a potential break late morning. So when the rain stopped at 10am I urged us into action, stifling Sarah's request for eggs and bacon.
Barely 10 minutes in, at our first lock, a downpour arrived.  Oops! But it soon passed and we were on our way to Whitchurch, passing through the iconic triple staircase locks at Grindley Brook.  Lock keepers were on hand to help us through.. much appreciated. And absurdly chuffed when my driving into the bottom lock was commented upon as 'smartly done'.
Almost before we knew it, we were snugly moored, watching waves of rain pass through.
Nibbles for dinner 
And a beautiful sunset giving hope for better weather tomorrow.
And so it proved. We had a leisurely start but by 9.30am I was starting to chivvy, and a few minutes later along came a boat heading the same way as us.. so I jumped on the tiller and followed them through the lift bridge, so that Sarah didn't have to work it. It gave her a turn though, as she was one leg in her trousers when the boat suddenly took off.

No locks today, only lift bridges. The next one was locked open, and then Sarah worked one while letting another boat through..  then onwards and the other boat stopped for the next bridge and let us through.. at the fifth there was a boat coming the other way that let us through..  Sarah had nothing to do but make tea and coffee , and relax. 
I had one or two excitements,  notably a boat barrelling through a blind bridge and then deciding to pass on the starboard side.. all safely negotiated though.

We arrived at Blakemere for a late lunch and a little view admiration.  
Then up to Ellesmere,  spin in the mouth of the Ellesmere Arm, and back to moor in almost the same place for the night. 
Interesting boat on the way.
The return trip with the flow rather than against it was markedly quicker.  

Sarah's last evening aboard will be celebrated with lamb chops and new potatoes. 

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