Today it rained and was a dreary and dull day. This matched my sombre mood as Linda died on this Saturday last year. We launched the canoe at 8.30 at Chirk and I set off for Lower Franckton and the entrance to the Montgomery Canal. At the first lock the wheels came into use and they were definitely a best buy as it makes moving the canoe very easy. Alan met me at Lower Franckton and we moved the canoe past the flight of locks and onto the canal. I made quite good progress and arrived at Maesbury at 2.50. I am sure that the canal is very pretty but kneeling in a canoe you tend to see lots of reeds.

 After getting changed and a quick cup of coffee it was back onto the bike. Melverley proved to have a not very good access onto the Severn but luckily Alan had already scouted ahead and found a good spot on the road to Pentre. We are now ready, weather pemitting, to start the Severn on Tuesday.

We are moving the caravan to Bridgnorth today (Sunday) and also meeting up with Stuart, Anthony, Rachel, Alice and Isabel in Shrewsbury this afternoon. This will also give me a chance to look at the landing points at Shrewsbury weir. Tomorrow is the anniversary of Linda’s death and we are having a family day.