Saturday 18th June

Spent the whole day and another night in the new basin at Llangollen. Was
happy to pay the 5ukp for this but was rather disgusted to find that there
is no new facilities block to go with it.

Filled up with water for the first time since in seven days.

Weather started out looking a bit glloomy but when the sun broke through it
got very hot and humid.

Went down to the station to catch the 11am train to Carrog. There we walked
to the GBG Grouse Inn for lunch with Lees beers. Got off the train back at
Berwyn to look at Horseshoe Falls and walk back along the canal feeder.

Went out early to the Corn Mill to ensure that we got one of their one
third unbookable tables. As most people were outside there was plenty of
room inside.

After that we went to the Sun for a few pints. Saw some of the final
episode of Doctor Who there. Finished off on the way back with another
pint in the Corn Mill.

Friday 17th June

Left Queens Head shortly after 8am to arrive at the queue for Frankton
locks at 9.30. There are only bollards for two boats there, so we had fun
trying to moor with the wind blowing us off the shallow edge. There was
only one boat coming down today so we seemed to make it through quickly,
and were out before noon.

Stopped at the Jack Mytton Inn at Hindford for a quick, one pint, lunch so
that we stood a chance of making it to Llangollen for the evening.

The only slight delay we had was at Chirk tunnel where there were two boats
in front of waiting to go through. We did not have to pass any boats at the
one way sections near Llangollen and we arrived at about 7.30.

The Corn Mill said that they were fully booked, so as with the usual
problem in towns of deciding where to eat we went to the chippy. Drank in
the three GBG pubs, the Sun, the Wynstay Hotel and the Corn Mill.

Thursday 16th June

Left Ellesmere in time to make it to Frankton between 9.30 and 10.30. When
we got there were 3 boats in the queue already. Because of this we only
made it to Queens Head for lunch. While we were there we booked a table for
the evening.

Made it to the end at Gronwen Wharf for 4pm where moored for a photo
opportunity and a cup of tea. Then we went back up to Queens Head for the
evening.

Wednesday 15th June

Left Wrenbury at 7am, in the rain, to ensure that we get to Ellesmere
tonight, and on to the Montgomery tomorrow. Passed the hotel boat pair
Morpeth and Alnwick moored the other side of the lift bridge at Wrenbury.

Got through all the locks with no delays so were 2 hours ahead of schedule
at Whitchurch. So we carried on to Platt Lane where we went to the Waggoner
Inn. They had 4 out of 5 beers on. We all had the homemade Pea and
Corriander soup which was good.

After lunch we took a detour down the Prees branch where we filled up with
102l of diesel at 41p/l.

After winding in Ellesmere basin we managed to moor on the arm after asking
one boat to move up one ring to make room.

Went to the Black Lion to eat, which is in the Good Food Guide. The mains
were very good but the starters were dissapointing. They had Marstons
bitter, Pedigree and Summer Ale. After that we had a quick scout round the
town and ended up in the White Hart which also has Marstons Bitter and
Pedigree.
___

Tuesday 14th June

Moored north of the boatyard at Nantwich for an early lunch. Tried to go to
the Black Lion but this doesn't open for lunch during the week. Popped into
the beer shop opposite and purchased three different Traquair House beers.
Then back to the Oddfellows Arms, which is also in the GBG, for lunch.

After that we carried on up to Hurleston Junction where we turned on to
Llangollen Canal. Progress on the Llangollen was good, but we were slowed
down dramatically in the bridge holes by the current, and the approaches to
some of the locks were tricky due to the strong bypass weir flows.

Got to Wrenbury for the evening. Tried the Dusty Miller first but they were
fully booked so we ate in the Cotton Arms which had two beers from the
local Paradise brewery and the food was good. Then a walk into the village
and back to the Dusty Miller to sample the Robinsons.

___

Monday 13th June

Moored for lunch at Market Drayton and walked into town. Had lunch in the
Crown but no Clive pie. Then had a wander round the rest of town and
another pint in the Railway.

Managed to get a bottle of gas at Ted's boatyard.

Moored for the night above lock 12 at Audlem. Ate in the Shroppie Fly then
went for a walk around the village. Had a pint in the Lord Combermere and
another in the Bridge, before finishing up in the Shroppie Fly which by
then had folk music.
___

Sunday 12th June

Set off about 8.30 aiming for an early lunch at Brewood. Called at
Countrywide Cruisers, Brewood for gas and fuel but they were shut. Walked
back to Brewood where we had a good lunch at the Bridge Inn and then went
for another pint at the Swan Hotel.

On the way to the Anchor at High Offley we picked up Ians sister, nephew
and neice at Norwood Junction. They came with us to the Anchor and walked
back from there.

We went to the Anchor at 7pm for a pint and to check that they were not
doing food. Then back to the boat for something to eat followed by a return
to the Anchor for some more Wadworth 6X direct from the cellar.

Saturday 11th June

Another lie in till 8am then a short trip into Penkridge for an early lunch
and a complete crew changeover. Stopped briefly on the way at Midland
Swindlers but managed to avoid buying anything. Also filled up with water
before mooring.

Went to the Railway for lunch as it is in the Good Beer Guide. Met Ian and
Andy there and saw off David and Peter in time for a train at 14.54.

Purchased some basic provisions in Penkridge.

Made it to the Fox and Anchor at Coven which is a spoon pub. It was very
busy so there was a long wait for our food. We were forced to try both
their Bass and Tetley beers, neither of which were good.

After that we walked into the village to find the PH symbol that we had
seen on the OS map. It turned out to be the Rainbow, an Ansells pub which
was selling Bank's Bitter and Original. Would not recommend this pub either.

Friday 10th June

On up to Great Haywood where we emptied the loo and then on to the Staffs
and Worcs canal. Stopped for lunch on Tixall Wide. We managed to get a
prime position in the middle, but were dissapointed not to see any
Kingfishers.

For the evening we stopped at Acton Trussell. We were looking forward to
some real ale and good food at the Moat House, however they did not have
any handpumps but the the draught Pedigree seemed OK. They had a wedding
reception on, so there were no specials, but the food was quite good.

We explored the village thouroughly in search of another pub but there were
none, so we had to return to the Moat House for another drink.

Thursday 9th June

Set off at 8.30 and arrived earier than expected at Arlewas at 11.45. The
weather may be on the turn as it's clouding over.

Ate and drank in the William IV in Arlewas which was not as described in
the canal guide. Also purchased some more provisions.

Stopped for the evening just past Armitage outside the Plum Pudding, which
is opposite Tom Cobleighs Spode Cottage. Checked out the menu in the Plum
Pudding and booked a table there for 7.45, which was half an hour after we
arrived.

Had a really good meal there, followed by a short walk along the canal
towards Hawkesyard Priory. Then back to check the beer in the Spode
Cottage. There wasn't any so we went back into the Plum Pudding.

Wednesday 8th June

Left Sawley on another beutiful day. Stopped at the chandlery in Shardlow.

Passed by Shardlow canal centre where Pete Hawkins has his new boat moored.
It is now sporting the name Jacob and is painted the same colours, but in a
different order, ie. Maroon panels with a black border.

Moored for lunch above the lock at Swarkestone and took the footpath across
the freight line to the Crew and Harpur, where we had our main meal.

On to Burton for the evening where we moored by the Marstons brewery. We
were the only boat there, most were there other side of the bridge, or at
Horninglow. Ate on board then out for a pint at the Coopers Tavern, which
is the old Bass brewery tap and is now in the Tynemill chain.

Tuesday 7th June

Today was very calm and sunny but the air is still cold. However we did get
to wear shorts in the afternoon.

Made it to Nottingham for lunch, where we went to the Vat and Fiddle for
lunch. It is the Castle Rock Brewery Tap, and is now part of the Tynemill
chain.

Moored in Sawley cut for the evening where we ate in the Harrington Arms
follwed by a pint in the Nags Head.

Monday 6th June

Taken by surprise when several other boats left at 8am and headed
upstream. We quickly followed suit and tried to keep up with the last
narrowboat.

We heard on the radio one boat calling Cromwell lock to go through, but
then a bit later there was more radio traffic about a commercial barge
blocking the river. So we slowed down and when we got there there was one
boat being loaded with gravel, a fully loaded one was stuck blocking most
of the river, and another one was waiting to load. All the other
narrowboats and cruisers had moored up to the empty barge.

Shortly after we arrived one of the narrowboats deicided to try to get
round the bow of the loaded barge and we followed him, shortly follwed by
all the other boats.

Still arrived in Newark in time for a late lunch in the Fox and Crown, a
Tynemill pub. After that we pressed on to Gunthorpe for the evening.

When we got there, the secure floating pontoon was full, but we managed to
moor to the bank.

Had a very good meal in Tom Browns, at a reasonable price too, as it was
early in the week.

Sunday 5th June

Stopped at Drakeholes for lunch where we partook of the carvery at the
White Swan.

Arrived at West Stockwith in plenty of time for the tide at 6pm. Filled up
with diesel and gas.

Ideal coditions for our passage up to Torksey where we stopped for the
night. We ate on board then went to the Castle Arms which no longer has
real ale, the eatery pub closed early so we ended up in the nearest pub
where we were initially made to feel unwelcome but at least theey now have
more than John Smiths.

Saturday 4th June

Spent time this morning trimming the ballast to try and correct the list to
port. Also putting lots of stuff in the bilges underneath my bed, but
still had one box left out.

David arrived shortly after 11am and Peter arrived on the 11.18 train. A
fairly swift start and made rapid progress down to Worksop, where we moored
above the town lock, and headed for the Mallard where I had an excellent
Spring Porter.

Made it to west Retford for the evening and went to eat in the Market
Hotel. Then over to the Rum Runner, in the rain, for another pint.

Friday 17th September

Selby to York

We were in the second locking into the River Ouse at about 9am. Passage through Selby was rather turbulent, then had a scare at the first left hand bend where we pushed through the bushes on the outside of the bend, but we escaped without damage.

The rest of the trip to Naburn was swift but uneventful. After Naburn we stopped for fuel at Naburn Marina where we had been told it was cheaper than further upstream.

Moored in York above Lendal Bridge and went for a late lunch in the Maltings.

Thursday 16th September

Doncaster to Selby

Turned onto the New Junction Canal and then onto the Aire and Calder heading for Knottingley, where we hoped to get lunch at the Steam Packet Inn. This didn't appear to be open and the moorings nearby were not suitable in view of the commercial boats which pass there. So we carried on to the visitor moorings near Ferrybridge lock where we had lunch on board again.

Turned round after lunch and headed for Bank Dole Lock where we got onto the River Aire and thence onto the Selby canal.

Moored for the night in Selby basin. Eventually found some food in the hotel which did not have real ale. After a few other pubs we finished off in the Albion Vaults which was in the 2004 GBG. Little did we know that it wasn't in the 2005 edition.

Wednesday 15th September

Sheffield to Doncaster

Turned round aafter going through the straddle warehouse then headed off to Tinsley top lock where we met a different lock keeper. This time he went ahead unlocking the locks and leaving us on our own more, as it's it's much safer going down.

Pressed on through Rotherham and stopped for lunch at Hooton Road Bridge. Unfortunately the Ship Inn by the railway was not open for lunch and the other pub futher east was no longer a pub. There was a shop selling take away snacks so we took advantage of this and went back to the boat where we could enjoy it with a bottle of beer in the sunshine.

Moored for the night on the secure visitor moorings in Doncaster. Having eaten in the Wetherspoons on the market square we went on to visit the Leopard and the Tut'n'Shive.

Tuesday 14th September

Sprotbrough to Sheffield

Another early start to ensure that we would make Sheffield for the evening.

Made good progress so we stopped for lunch in Rotherham. The first GBG pub we tried turned out to be a Wetherspoons so we tried the other entry which was also a Wetherspoons!

Made Tinsley bottom lock in time and the lock keeper escorted us all the way up on his bicycle and doing most of the work.

Monday 13th September

West Stockwith to Sprotbrough

Got up at 7am to prepare for our tidal trip. Moved down to the lock at 8.15 to get fuel and gas. We shared the lock with another narrowboat and a third boat was also going to Keadby after us.

Left the lock at about 9.15. We had no current to help us initially but slowly picked up speed and eventually managed 8.5 mph at 800 rpm, ie about 3.5 mph current. Calm trip sheltered from the worst of the wind by the banks. Make a good entrance into Keadby lock.

The third narrowboat from Stockwith had managed to catch us up and arrived shortly after the other boat. All three of us were going at least as far as Thorne so we leapfrogged through all the swing bridges after the Vazon rail bridge which was looking much better than last year.

In order to make it to Sprotbrough we did not stop for lunch, instead we had it on the move after Thorne. Passed the black boat from Shireoaks at one of the few narrow bridges.

Booked a passage up the Tinsley flight for 3pm tomorrow.

No trouble getting to Sprotbrough where we ate in the Boat Inn, a spoon pub, then went into the village proper for some Sam Smiths at the Ivanhoe. We were forced to move into the public bar when the music quiz started.