Starting the Journey Home

 Head into Llangollen for supplies in the morning. Emrys is joining us later this morning, and I get a selection of Oggies from the oggy shop. These are a famous local version of pasties and come with a wide choice of fillings. I have gone out without my coat and get caught in a small rain shower.

Back to the boat for breakfast, and breakfast for the ducks. This is the first time on our trip that we've been mobbed by ducks - feed one, and they all flock over

I was planning on doing a little touching up of the paintwork this morning but the rain, and the threat of more, puts me off this job. One of the things about owning a boat, or a share in a boat, is that you have to maintain the vessel and do these sort of running odd jobs

Instead I start to prepare the rusted chimney for painting, using a wire brush to remove the bigger rust patches

Emrys arrives bearing a splendid hyacinth as a gift. It's a while since we've seen him and it's good to catch up over a cup of tea and a plateful of Oggies

In my final checks before starting our homeward voyage I find that the pesky bolt on the drive shaft is loose again. I think it needs a locking washer, but re-tighten and lock with the metal plate in the meantime. Our plan is to cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and drop Em off in Froncysllte.

Waiting at the start of the first narrow passage for clearance from my scout

Here are some ducklings…..at last 

and a very handsome Mandarin duck

At the second narrow section my forward scout reports a boat coming through and that I should wait. Then a second, and then a third. Eventually we have to wait for five boats to pass before we can continue 

We have an escort of kayaks……I'm happy to have them in front or behind me, but get nervous having to pass them in my enormously heavy steel boat, they seem so flimsy and vulnerable 

The crossing of the aqueduct is just as spectacular as the first time

Here's Emrys's video of our crossing 

We moor soon after, just below the Aqueduct Inn where we plan to eat. Emrys has to make his way back to Llangollen to collect his car. He then finds that the events of the day and night before have caught up with him, and he needs a nap. Vera phones the pub to check whether they are doing food. Yes, if we can get there within 15 minutes. So it's a short dash up the hill, where a table is waiting for us.

Returning to the boat in the dark. It's a clear sky and getting cold. And so peaceful 

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