Busier and busier

When we set off from our mooring near Trevor, we began to notice more and more hire boats on the canal. It's great to see more and more usage of the canals and causes great mirth at times when whoever is steering realises that it's different to driving a car. 

Once again, we crossed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. 

And soon, after that, through Whitehouse Tunnel and past Chirk Marina. 

We then stopped to have a look at the town of Chirk. 

We looked around the church and found a very nice tea shop for lunch. Then, back to the boat and onwards again. We had to wait at Chirk Tunnel for two boats to come through, one quite noisy with much singing. Well, the acoustics in the tunnel are quite splendid. 

After the tunnel, several hire boats milling about waiting to go through, having just crossed the Chirk Aqueduct. 

Stopped near New Marton Locks for the night. 

On Tuesday we popped into Ellesmere to have a look round there. We missed the market which had been held that morning but we did enjoy a good old fish & chips lunch. Moored Tuesday night near Hampton Bank Bridge. 

Wednesday and pushing on through the staircase locks at Grindley Brook. 

The lock keeper certainly takes a pride in his locks. 

Although, some of the gates could do with a bit of attention. 

Not to mention the walls! 

It's a bit like going through a boat wash! 

The lock keeper was saying that the throughput for the year should be 10,000 but it is now up to 18,000. No wonder that in peak periods the canal gets shallow in place when the water supply just can't keep up. 

We have just moored above Povey's Lock for the night and for supper we will be having salmon fillets with new potatoes and spinach. Yum yum.