We are now on our downward passage along the Llangollen. We have been on this stretch now for 5 weeks! We have stayed a while at Ellesmere as we were to have visitors, so made use of our stay and ordered a couple of items, and asked for some post to be sent (up to date in case we need a car) to the local post office. As we have been here since Tuesday there has been nothing exciting to write about, but today we ventured off the wharf arm to just outside by the bridge. It has been quite entertaining here as it is windy and many boats are having trouble making the turn to follow the Llangollen.

Ellesmere arm. There are many sculptures around the canal and town, and this is in the entrance to the arm.

This weekend there is a floating market here, but only 5 boats attending this time.

Advertising the market on the bridge

Boat selling canal ware. Jugs and pots all painted with roses in traditional style.

Boat selling candles and gifts

Boat selling fenders

Boat selling pictures made from old vinyl records

And our favourite the Oatcake boat, so we treated ourselves to lunch with a double sausage and cheese oatcake each with coffee. We last saw this boat on the T&M at Westport lake in March.

We had a walk beside the mere (anglo saxon for lake), created like the mosses by the melting ice from the ice age, and typical of this area.

The Mere (from where Ellesmere got its name)

A narrowboat sculpture in the Mere park

Opposite where we are moored is Beech House, which used to be the offices of the canal company, and where it is said Thomas Telford lived while working on the canal. It is now a private dwelling.

Beech House

And finally a picture of Breakaway

We will stay here till Sunday, then move along a bit more as hopefully our post will arrive on Monday. Once we have this we will head toward Whitchurch again. Probably no more blog till then as don’t want to bore readers.