Wrenbury to Marbury (inc. Lift-Bridges) - A Narrowboat journey on the Llangollen Canal.

Baddiley top lock to Wrenbury, and then on to Marbury. On the way I pass through three lift bridges, including the dreaded Wrenbury electric lift bridge! A Narrowboat journey on the Llangollen Canal. 20th July 2019.
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[@rosagapi]

those cats in the end are the cutest!!!!

[@williamavery9185]

If David can do it, unless you have no legs, you will be fine. You must be brave boy!

[@timothyhopkins6960]

Great bridge manipulation, and l love your wonderful kitty’s.

[@keithbrierley710]

well done difficult with only two on the boat i take my hat off to you

[@DADDYDOM100]

Beware this is out of date - the bridge and traffic signs are all operated by a single electric control panel on the LEFT SIDE, which you need your British Waterways key for. I do like the fact that Phil went all the way to the bridge instead of tying up before on the mooring and then moving the boat through - makes for a quicker passage. The locals DO get irate!!

[@kevgray.]

Vlog ( not feeling very happy at the moment) I'm sat here agreeing with everything you say that's me..... I'm not going to give you any advice because I ate been giving advice.... I hope if you read this you will know that watching your videos has brought a lot of enjoyment, entertainment, And as been very informative.. Thank you..... chin up!👍

[@wennawoods5189]

Really enjoyable and informative blog. Great photography.

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@GaryCaptainPhillips]

As ever Phil, very enjoyable and relaxing, thank you

[@tims7793]

Great stuff Phil! You made that bridge look easy, but I can imagine the extra stress with other users about. The footage and editing gave us a really good insight. I'm still loving this very peaceful, rural canal and setting.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Greetings Phil you made my Monday morning with your vlog Keep up your great works Keep safe and dry. All the best.

[@pappakilo3965]

Good call on the early bridge transit

[@pootle2768]

That was really lovely. I loved Bushka and Midge at the end - they couldn’t wait to get out 😆

[@jontisdall6248]

Good afternoon Phil, very nice video, thanks for posting. I've never piloted a narrowboat and sadly most likely never will but I do enjoy riding along with you. The Llangollen looks to be very pleasant, helped of course by your wise decision to travel early. As regards impatient drivers, when I'm delayed by such as canal swing/lift bridges, horses and even from time to time steam vehicles I adopt the attitude that they were here long before the car. Most people enjoy the sight of a well kept canal and should remember that without the boaters using the waterways they would soon fall into disrepair and once again become the stagnant dumping grounds we all abhor. Keep safe. Best regards.

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Thank you Jon. I have heard a few tales of canal/road rage there. I expect it is pretty common during the summer holidays.

[@AR-py5cn]

Enjoyed the trip.

[@elspethawake4541]

Interesting to see everything you do for the lift bridge.

[@richardfoote4518]

Good video and interesting on lift bridges.

[@grahambaker5235]

Good vlog. Great to see in detail the workings of these bridges

[@pholland6643]

Enjoy your vlogs. Thanks for taking the time to publish them.

[@annie2950]

Hi Phil stayed at Wrenbury Mill Marina in June. Locals all seemed happy to wait when Boaters went through. Great vlog as ever. Hope you a nd the Cats a re keeping warm.

[@AdCurves]

Like the flying saucer - like minds

[@kevindean9503]

The comments are disabled on your I'm not feeling happy video, so I thought I'd write to you here. I don't know quite what I want to say only that you're not alone even though you may feel it. It sounds like a meaningless platitude I know but it really is true. How do I know? I've been through a similar experience myself. After a blow to the head, I developed a very unpleasant and crippling chronic illness (which ones aren't) and had to move back in with my mother; she was a lifesaver quite literally. So, when she passed away my world collapsed in more was that one and I was facing the prospect of homelessness too and boy when the illness didn't keep me up at night that surely did. So before I ran out of savings I phone the Citizens Advice Bureau and the local council's Welfare Rights Officer. At the time I didn't really see what they could do for me as I'd already gamed it all out in my own mind's eye but I was desperate, so what the hell. And while my life is still fucked illness wise I am in a much more secure situation. And in the system jumping through the bureaucratic hoops becomes easier. All I need now is a Doctor who knows what they're talking about and a lotto win and life will be peachy lol. Laughing even fake laughing and repeating mantras also help. Your mind can really only think about one thing at a time so distraction works to a limited extent. Also, go and see your GP if for nothing else to get that paper trail started red tape loves a paper trail. It's not real until there's a paper trail for a bureaucrat to follow lol.

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Thank you Kevin, you are quite right. And I really don't know what my options are? Wishing you all the best.

[@kevindean9503]

@@NarrowboatJourneys Wishing you all the best too. You talked of post-exercise exhaustion it sounds like you may have a mild to moderate illness too. Have you checked to make sure your magnesium, vitamin B12, etc levels are ok?

[@sallymander7863]

I too was very concerned watching your other vlog Phil, am in quite a worrying situation myself. Really hoping things turn out much better for both of you. Also think CAB is a good idea. 🍀🍀🍀

[@chevyimp5857]

Such a thoughtful and kind response from you Kevin.

[@ChinaAl]

Sounds like a peaceful way of life

[@garydye4270]

Have come back to your channel, Phil, after a break away. Must say I like your current style but I guess the Oxford canal vlogs were on the early part of your videoing learning curve. Also have to say that road/canal rage is crazy - nothing CAN happen fast on the cut. Impatience has no place in narrowboating. We hired for a week from 8 July 2019 from Ellesmere. We headed east, turning at Whixall Moss (Prees Branch), so only a few days before you were there. Even on the busier parts further west, we encountered no rage or ill will at all. We learnt that locals refer to Mad Monday at New Marton locks as all the hire boats converge there heading west. We went down the Monty so were out of synch with most of that. We even got an overnight mooring right in the Trevor Basin and even had no hassles in the Narrows. Fabulous trip - want to do more of the network some day. Looking forward to your next lot of vlogs, Phil. Watched a couple of others' before our trip but seeing yours will be even more enticing, bringing back the great memories.

[@leeneckers4356]

We enjoyed your recent vlog. Beautiful in the nice weather. My wife is a cat lady.

[@peterdepra]

When solo, I always found it quicker and easier to manually pull it through on the forward rope. Saves a lot of fiddling about.

[@chevyimp5857]

I'm here from "not very happy" vlog I'm in my fifties on a boat for the last fifteen years . really appreciate your candid words.. with regards to a plan B I myself thought van life could be a viable option. Selling even a 40 year old boat would probably realise enough capital for a pretty decent van.. I'm on the Oxford near Twyford , I'll be thinking of you as I Chugg down to Nell's bridge on Sunday..

[@ABH313]

That's was a cool video, I like how you didn't edit it much. And those kitties :)

[@NarrowboatPotteries]

We have had our fair share of car and boat rage at Wrenbury :)

[@leeneckers4356]

We understand. Just keep cruising

[@CanuckOnTheCut]

Great video. Just as a further 'caution', there are several holes in that grassy part by the fence that you tied to. I nearly broke an ankle in one, can't see them in the long grass. Be careful! (CRT has been informed)

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Thank you, thank you for so carefully explaining the procedures for operating the lift bridges on your own. It certainly would take time and would be worse under the glare of impatient drivers. Do you leave your key in from start to finish? I've watched a video of a chap doing a swing bridge which has the same issue of the controls being on the opposite bank to the moored boat. Take care Phil.

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Thank you. Yes, you have to leave the key in as you can't remove it without turning off the bridge.

[@gordonkirkpatrick7831]

Phil so upset having just watched your video of dec 5. Am contacting you via different video as cant reply to dec one. Please contact us Phil if you can. Don't know how these things work. Would like to help. Really enjoy your videos.can you tell us where you are. We have just bought a boat. All the best.

[@williamavery9185]

You really should get out more, and dont forget your key.....

[@dwrowley]

great video, very informative, looking on Google street view the barriers are now automatic

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

The barriers keep getting hit by vehicles. Costs CRT a fortune but they're not yet smart enough to install cameras. We keep telling them the cameras will pay for themselves very quickly.

[@robertbaxter4021]

The canal would have been there before the road it's frustrating how the roads take over everything

[@Boating_David]

I lucked it at Wrenbury electric lift bridge both times, another boater worked it for me kindly

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Same for me on the way back.

[@N30312]

i love watching your videos. Could you tell me why you have two bikes on the stern of the boat if you travel alone?

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Thank you. Two bikes, one is better for road use, the other when it is muddy.

[@lewisgardner1660]

Thank again phil When you say busy season, how many boat would you pass in a day compared to off season?

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

I don't know the numbers? But quite a lot.

[@07pollee2ndtime]

09:30 I love your duck!! Lift bridges are a bit different on the Oxford canal, aren't they?!

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

I found that duck floating in the Shroppie.

[@07pollee2ndtime]

Awww!! Poor little lonesome duck!! At last he found a good home! Hahaha!

[@paulboden7850]

As bomb cyclones dump impressive amounts of snow on the NE, USA, it is especially pleasing to savor the peacefulness and picturesque scenery slipping by, while the bow gently parts placid waters that will take us to Wales.🕊

[@naomimoxon3536]

Just a comment- why are the lift bridge mechanisms on the opposite side to the tow path- so hard for single handers!!!

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

In the old days horses used to pull boats along, so the canal and towpath side needs to be as unobstructed as possible.

[@nkiey]

From a bit of detective work the loco whistle you heard could have been from the Chester Venturer / Welsh Marches charter behind no. 45596 "Bahamas" which (it says here) had its destination changed to Hereford via the Welsh Marches route, or perhaps more likely from the sound of the whistle (listen about 27 mins in kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqunnXR_fpmqkM0), the Welsh Marches Express behind 70000 Britannia....

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

I didn't know they all sounded different. The railway line was about 1/2 mile away, as the crow flies. It was around 10 AM in the morning of the 20th July.

[@lth1072]

Nice video. What are easy canals for solo boaters?

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

The Ashby canal is very easy.

[@lth1072]

@@NarrowboatJourneys thank you. Good luck

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

So is the North Oxford canal, but that can get really busy these days.

[@lth1072]

@@NarrowboatJourneys thanks, I appreciate your time. Happy journeys :-)

[@malcolmparker1928]

@@lth1072 try the Lancaster

[@qmmo]

Always saucers . . . . never a cuppa & bikkies to go with . . . . . 😿😹

[@ChrisHolden]

Dreaded???

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

These things can be very off-putting for solo boaters because canal boating is mostly geared up for boats with crews.

[@MessengerRising]

@@NarrowboatJourneys Have you ever thought about forming a group for single/divorced men on the canals Phil? Like a support network so you all don't feel so alone and isolated out there. You can still have your solitude but it's nice to know that there's a group of like minded others who will look out for you or meet up occasionally. Something to consider...

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

Hi, no I haven't. I've got too much to deal with as it is, and my computer time is limited. Thank you for your previous comments. You gave out your personal phone number so it's best that I don't approve that one for public viewing.

[@leeneckers4356]

Not sure if we ever knew the name of your boat. Help!!!

[@NarrowboatJourneys]

I like to keep some things private.

[@briandufty1609]

Blmmin heck. Problem between .TV and Phn.. you are cute..