the Canal and all

Sunday, May 17

We didn't get up so early today, but it was sunny when we woke about six. By the time we got up at seven, it was cloudy, and soon began to rain. We were headed back to where we rented the boat, so retracing our steps from the previous day. But of course we are now seasoned boaters, and much better than yesterday. And we were going downstream, which gives us the right-of-way as well. So we began, reluctantly leaving Llangollen, and going through tight stretches of the canal. We met boats which made us pull over (literally—you should have seen Darlene tug on those ropes to slow the boat down and keep it in place: I was very proud of her), and others which almost hit us. But we met some nice folks who helped with the locks and the lift bridge functioning that we needed to do. As I said yesterday, the weather here changes fast. It was pouring (pissing might be a better, albeit less polite, word), and we were getting soaked. So we stopped, moored, and prepared to settle in for a long haul. In less than five minutes, the sun was out and it was warmer than the whole previous day. So we started out again. We stopped for a bite at a local pub along the way, trying to manage it between two rain showers. And we pretty much succeeded, getting back to the boat and on our way just as it started to rain.

We got most of the way back to the starting place, and moored for the night. Supper was light, and involved some wine, as I recall.

We have decided to see more of Wales, and tomorrow brings us to Shrewsbury, and the start of a longer Wales trip, before getting back into England in a few days.

More to come.