Solstice sunset

We walked into Ellesmere from the boat again this morning to visit the much advertised Tuesday market. We were expecting a proper market, we got a few trestle tables in a big space. Not much luck with a coffee and scone as two places were closed on Tuesdays so we had to go back to yesterday’s establishment.

Eventually we left Ellesmere heading for Frankton Junction and the start of the Montgomery canal. After a bit of indecision we found a quiet mooring only to have someone almost immediately mooring right next to us when there was no need to.

The Monty is a bit of a backwater, navigable for only 7 miles then a gap followed by a further navigable section near Welshpool. Only 12 boats at any one time are allowed on the canal and you have to book with the lock keeper if you want to travel the canal. I expect one day the whole route from Frankton to Newtown will be open, a distance of 34 miles.

As a result it’s a wildlife haven. So verdant, plenty of fish, king cups were coming, dragonflies, damselflies, demoiselles and all manner of insects, tranquil, beautiful with loads of swifts sweeping through the skies above wonderful rolling North Shropshire countryside. A popular route for canoeing, paddle boarding and cycling.

It was a 9 mile round trip along the Monty punctuated by a pub half way. Guess what, the pub was closed Mondays and Tuesdays. What a disappointment. The walk back was more of a route march, made enjoyable by talking to a fisherman, a lady sitting on the bank reading her book and a canoeist who had earlier passed.

We happened to have a brief glimpse of the solstice dawn and this evening, right at the end of the day, the setting sun down the length of the canal provided today’s blip and pipped the others in extras. I was sitting on the roof of our boat, you can see how close they moored to us!