History and heritage

After the exciting crossing of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct we nosed our way through all the hire boats and moored in the peaceful serenity that is the end of Trevor basin, right by a bank of the most wonderful wildflowers (see porthole pic). Deciding a hearty walk would be good we set off up the hill to Cefn Bryn, an historical industrial village, but we didn't get very far.

After a very good coffee and delicious cake at Moonbakes we got enticed into the impressive glass-fronted Ebenezer Chapel where an arts engagement day was taking place designed to encourage people to visit this area. We got all creative, chatted to some lovely people and saw a fascinating exhibition about the history of the area spearheaded by the owner of the chapel (and the Holly Bush pub opposite) who is clearly a force of nature in the area. I would definitely recommend the walk up here to explore the industrial remains and make sure you visit the chapel if it's open.

After letting our close family and friends know of our news, we walked to Ty Mawr country park and had a celebratory drink and meal at The Telford. After a warm and sunny weekend we set off along the 'narrows' towards Llangollen. We 'winged' the first one but at the second, longer section I walked ahead and managed to let a hireboat know we were approaching so they waited until we made it

through. We got to the lovely canal basin at the end of the navigable section and wandered into town and along the river where people were enjoying the sunny weather on the rocks. We'd heard about an open mic night at the Sun Inn so we set off there in the evening - an interesting experience involving more dogs than people and an imminent fight!

We had an important job to do though. There's only one jewellers in Llangollen, The Oak Chest, but we managed to find it down a side street. It's so small the lovely owner, Aled, unlocks the door to let you in and then locks it behind you, so you have his full attention which is fantastic, and much needed with an important purchase such as this. Having narrowed down the choice to two rings, I took some time to decide. But this wasn't a problem - Rob and Aled were having the most lovely long chat about music! Decision made, we had lunch by the river and explored the church and museum before a short trip on the steam train to Berwyn to visit the Horseshoe Falls and a lovely walk back.

By now we had some super boat neighbours, Norman and Juliet - the loveliest couple from

Devon, with the most wonderful westcountry accents. They helped us celebrate our engagement over a prosecco or two one evening and then a very nice G&T the next, before Rob and I had a delicious celebratory meal at the Chapel Street Kitchen. Another neighbour was the lovely Emma from Narrow Escapes on Channel 4 - make sure you watch the series if you've not seen it. Whilst there we also had a steep, but very worthwhile, walk up to the remains of Castell Dinas Bran with it's incredible views.

It was time for Norm and Juliet to head off and, although we'd only known them a short while, we were really sad to see them go. Our departure was slowed by meeting the horse-drawn trip boat, but we were soon on the move, retracing our steps and enjoying seeing plentiful ducklings, including mandarin ducklings, and was also pleased to hear a cuckoo. We returned to our favourite spot in Trevor Basin, did some boat jobs, met the friendly Alan, a Geordie musician, who joined us for coffee in the sun and a bit of a jam, saw Saturn, a historic unpowered butty, and helped retrieve some items for a chap whose inflatable kayak had deflated and tipped him and all his belongings into the water! We returned to the Sun Inn for their folk night, a much more peaceful affair, although again a fight almost broke out (maybe it's us...??!!).

Then it was back over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (no surprises this time!), through the tunnels, across the Chirk aqueduct and back into England. Unfortunately the wifi was non-existent this time so we moved to near The Poachers pub, where it wasn't much better so I decamped to the pub to do some work! But it was a good place to leave Jasmine for our trip to Hertfordshire where we caught up with family, did a My Fair Lady workshop (just me, that one!), went to a fantastic 50th party where we danced our socks off, before heading into London to see Rob's boys and go to the Royal Albert Hall to see Angus & Julia Stone, an Australian brother and sister duo who I love, and Rob's birthday pressie to me.

Back on Jasmine, a very short cruise took us to Lion Quays where I'd booked us into the spa

for a morning (my birthday pressie to Rob!). We had an incredibly relaxing time, enjoying the pool, saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis, with my favourite being the warm and gently rocking Halotherapy beds, before a lovely mezze platter and a glass of rose on the roof terrace. Continuing our journey back through St Martins I followed the sign that read 'fresh eggs' and came to The Moors House, a wonderful smallholding run by the lovely Laura who let me feed her hens before showing me around their smallholding.

After a very overgrown walk to collect the car we did a detour via Whittington and decided to visit the castle there - what an unexpected delight, with its moat and castle ruins. We also ended up having an impromptu lunch and it was fantastic - the most amazing fish finger butty ever! The day was finished off by watching wrens flying across the canal to a nest in the bank opposite.

Then it was time to stock up on food for our trip down the Montgomery canal (known as 'The 'Monty') where we'd booked our passage down Frankton Locks for the following morning. But that - as they say - is for another time.

It's taken a bit longer than normal to get this episode finished. Rob's mum, a sparky and (until not long ago) independent 90-year-old, sadly passed away recently. We've been not far away since Christmas so Rob had been able to spend a lot of time with her, which was lovely. So this blog is dedicated to her: Anne Wynne RIP 1933 - 2024.

Anne aboard Jasmine, January 2022