Back into the Hurley Burly.

The locks at Frankton Junction open at 1200 so I took advantage of being close to the water taps by washing both sides of the boat, and topping the tank up afterwards too. Whilst I was doing this four boats went up towards the lock so there was less need to get ready at 1200 as they would have to pass up too.

We arrived at the bottom lock as the last boat was leaving the staircase at the top. Helen worked the locks today and we made good time on the way up. You can just see the plaque afixed to the stonework that tells of the conversion of the 'Cressy' that became L.T.C. Rolt's converted work boat for leisure. It was carried out at Beech's Boat Yard that was on the off side just below the lock.

I noticed this boundary post in the grounds of the house by the canal between the locks.

Not a bad spot for a house, next to the canal, but one that at present is not mega busy and where the locks are only open for 2 hours a day!

A boat came down the staircase and we went straight in. The voluntary lock keeper was very helpful and we were soon back up on the Llangollen Canal.

Here is another house with a good view. High enough above the canal not to be disturbed by the passing boats too much, but with a great view down the reach.

In the distance before Ellesmere we could see Ellesmere College. It was founded in 1879 by a Canon Woodward on 114 acres of land given by Lord Brownlow. It was originally called St. Oswald's School and was aligned with the Church of England. It actually opened in 1884 with 70 boys and 4 masters and was to provide a good education for a low costs for families of indifferent means. It is boarding and day school and the fees can be about £20,000 a year. Past pupils include Martin Aitchison who illustrated many of the Ladybird books that have once again become popular, Billy Beaumont England and British Lions Rugby Union Captain and now administrator in World Rugby, as well as the 7th Duke of Westminster.

We moored up opposite the services before the Ellesmere Branch. quite early. We went to do a little shopping and went back for a couple of pints at The Vault under the old Town Hall. It was a lovely temperature in the old cellars and we were told that it is easy to heat in winter as it is insulated by the ground. It was great to sit and do very little for an hour or two.