Well that's Christmas done then!

I know I was tempting fate when I wrote in my last blog "what could possibly go wrong..." well, nothing did, go wrong I mean.  We had a lovely mooring in Brinklow Marina, even though we were'nt expected (our booking hadn't been passed on) no matter.  We didn't want to risk leaving Beefur unattended over the xmas period.  I was expected at Enterprise rent a car, which was nice, although the petrol guage was on reserve before I started and unfortunately I overdid the petrol & filled it up, so we ended up driving round a bit more that was necessary, just to use some up!  Nemo cat didn't know what to make of the cattery never having been in one before.  I was extremely impressed at the plush two tier cat accommodation, with climbing ramps, vantage points looking out of the glass fronted building, scratching posts, toys and comfy bedding areas - then they showed me to Nemo's cage for the week, round the side in the dingy lean-to.  Hang on sais I, what do you have to do to get the posh hotel suites then?  Dunno, said the girl, just first come first served I guess.  Ah well.  He did have a radio to listen to.

Christmas at mums was lovely, and she'd done a great job with the decorations and tree (thanks Mum).  Christmas day can be a difficult time, and even more poignant when there's someone significant missing at the dinner table - my lovely Dad.  We all miss him so much.

We took a trip to our moorings to say Merry Christmas to Rick, Hazel & Dai, and to take advantage of the hire car which we loaded up with wood which had been drying out nicely in one of the old limekilns.  Not much point in having a load of wood sitting there where we spend the summer months - when we don't have fire number 2 lit.

Our empty mooring.

The Llangollen wharf horse drawn trip boats are out of the water on the Limekilns yard and awaiting blacking - or something

Dave had time to meet his pal Mike the train in the Corn Mill for a pint on boxing day.  The Dee was running rather high!

On the way back from Chirk to Brinklow, we passed over 8 different canals (in one shape or other);-

1.  Llangollen (Chirk)

2.  Montgomery (Queens Head)

3.  Shropshire Union (M54 The Hawthorns)

4.  Staffs & Worcester (Coven Heath)

5.  Disused Hatherton branch (M6 Calf Heath)

6.  Wyrely & Essington (Anglesey Branch, Chasewater M6)

7.  Birmingham & Fazeley (M6 toll Curdworth)

8.  Coventry (Hawksbury Junct)

9.  Oxford (twice at Ansty)

We also went under the M6 (toll) bridge which will eventually carry the Lichfield & Hatherton canal - well hopefully it will in years to come! The bridge structure is there, it just needs a canal.