Hiya peeps, another chapter in the lives of those afloat for those who
wonder if I have drowned yet.. well not quite but have had a fantastic time
recently as we travelled to Llangollen over the Ponty-wotsits bridge (
Pontcysylite Aqueduct)....rather breathtaking at 121' in the
air......especially when the boat seemed to lean to my side as we sallied
forth.....( perhaps it was hubby leaning as he thought of me insurance
money).Anyway it was a really lovely trip even when we were grounded twice
and had to be towed off the ledge..... that was not our fault honest but we
had to pull to one side as another narrowboat was coming under a bridge and
we got stuck....... the first time was when a rather elderly couple ( older
than me for once) didn't realize that just because a boat doesn't have rear
view mirror that you don't look behind you! We were really struggling to
drop the revs and still have propulsion but after 20 minutes of pushing and
shoving with long poles and leaning this way and the other we finally
managed to get free but had a few words of advice when we caught up with the
other boaters grrrrrrrr.
The canal was very shallow in parts and I feel sorry for any barnacles or
fresh water mussels which may have attached themselves to our hull. they
were soundly ground orf!
The weather was beautiful and we have both caught the sun but alas and alak,
we are now washed out after the most horrific storm earlier today.......
Poppy ( our 9 year old labbie who cannot swim) fell into the canal and she
was rather weighty as we hauled her out, Rupert our 7 year English Springer
had dropped his rear end a couple of times as he leaps off, but he has
managed to find the deepest mud bath going today and stunk the boat out as
he traipsed through to have a bath!
Oh yes. the cow in the title...... well this afternoon we could hear a lot
of splashing about and I looked out and saw a cow swimming past the boat!!!!
We went out and there was this cow in real trouble as she was looking for a
way out of the canal. I grabbed a rope and hubby grabbed his camera ( yes
well.........) we went down the canal and then back up as we followed the
cow attempting to get out of the canal. Someone had called the fire brigade
but all we could do was follow with the aim of jumping in and attaching the
rope if she tired.. luckily after about 300 metres she managed to get
herself out of the water, jump over the brambles and fall into a ditch, by
then hubby and another chap had run up to the next bridge to get over into
the field but the cow was very non-plussed as she starting mooing at the
rest of the herd! Fire brigade turned out but we sent away again and the
farmer notified about his cow with the cut legs ( she cut them getting out
of the water) but she is fine thank goodness!
The mozzies. well I have been eaten alive by the things.... honestly you
could see the little buggers flying at me with knives and forks clattering!
Any suggestions as to what does work in preventing the things will be
gratefully received.
Lots of wildlife though, kingfishers, yellow wagtails buzzards, sparrowhawk,
herons, frogs and the beautiful ducklings and goslings.The boat has survived
her maiden voyage with full honours and I think that Sinbad and missus have
done very well in managing the locks and all the other trials we have
encountered along the way.
Healthwise, apart from my elbow and shoulder and of course me leg playing
up, I am not doing too badly, hubby has been very fit and since his heart op
has really never looked back thank goodness.
Anyway folks, sorry for rambling on but thought some of you might be
interested in what we get up to.
Hope everyone is having a break from a flare up, speak to you soon,
Regards ConnieD