Canal Central Maesbury Marsh

4 Locks, 5 Miles. Now moored at the facilities block Weston Arm.

As the fickle minded weather appeared to be fine and overcast today we decided to head back to the Weston Arm branch and spend a couple of night's there before ascending the Frankton flight on Friday. Before leaving Maesbury we called into Canal Central which was at the heart of the week-end's festival. This little Oasis in the middle of nowhere is a convenience store, Post Office, Information centre, Coffee bar and Visitor Accommodation all rolled into one. The proprietors, Iain & Fiona are very obliging and had ordered some fresh bread for us. Talking to them we found out that Fiona has NZ connection's and we were introduced to her parents who had come to stay for the week-end.

During the course of conversation we were invited to inspect their 2 bedroom apartment above the shop which they let out on short or long term hires. Being on the first floor with an outside balcony there is a magnificent view across the valley towards Welshpool and beyond. The apartment has all the mod cons and comfortably accommodates 4 adults or a family of up to 6. Iain outlined his long term plans for the property which will certainly make it the Canal Central of the Montgomery canal. We wish them well with their endeavours and highly recommend them as being worth a visit.

After the week-end festival Maesbury was virtually deserted except for about 7 permanently moored boats and about 10 remaining visitors. We followed one boat that only went as far as the Queen's Head and passed 3 boats that had just arrived on the Montgomery so it is very quiet along this stretch of the "Cut".

Upon arrival at the Weston Arm we found that the only mooring available was on one of the water points but as all the boat movements for the day have gone through it won't affect anybody if we stay here for the night. We know that 3 of the other boats moored here are leaving tomorrow so we will just shift when they leave.

Wouldn't you just know it, the narrowboat behind us, "Wild Otter", has 2 son's living in Auckland New Zealand and they are going over there in November to escape the English winter. While in New Zealand they will live on an old tug moored near Greenhythe. Is there anybody in Britain without NZ connections?????

1436 locks, 2092 miles, 50 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 30 lift bridges since Nov 2006