Maesbury Marsh to Canal Central.

Travelled 1.2 miles in a time of 50 minutes.

We left our over night mooring at 9.00am to go a short distance.

Past by The Navigation Inn.

Past by Canal Central, that we visited yesterday.

We were approaching Croft's Lift Bridge passing the wide shallows. The lift bridge had been raised and NB Chalford had gone through, the gentleman was just about to lower the bridge when he saw us coming.

The gentleman told me he was single handing so I said to the gentleman, that I would work the bridge for him, so I stepped off the boat on the offside, just about making the gap with my short legs.

Keith followed him through and then coming in the opposite direction having winded was another boat heading back, so I waited until the lady who was also single handing went through, I then let the bridge down, until NB Chalford was ready to come back through. He was very grateful for all my help and said " Being single handed was one of the best things in the world, because everyone else does the work for him".

Whilst waiting for Keith to wind at Gronwen Wharf, I noticed that a Sparrow family had taken up residence in the lift bridge weight. I bet it is exciting for the babies when the bridge is open and closed.

Having come back from the winding hole, Keith bought Hadar through the bridge 'ole and I let the bridge down again.

We moored up on the first 48 hour moorings from the lift bridge, which were deep enough for us, so Paddy will not have to do a leap of faith later phew. I made us a coffee and a packed lunch, so that we could go walking along the part of the Montgomery Canal which is still to be restored. To see how we got on you can read all about it and see the photographs on Hadar's Blog. You can also see some of the flora and fauna I saw today at my other blog.