Maesbury (in the mud) Marsh Canal Festival.

Now moored at Gronwen Bridge.

Our mooring at Gronwen Bridge on the Montgomery Canal

Yesterday afternoon we were informed by the festival mooring organiser that the boat booked for our mooring was on his way so we would have to vacate . He did offer to let us breast up but this would severely restrict the width of the canal and we didn't fancy getting rammed by every boat that passed, so we moved up to Gronwen bridge which is at present the limit of navigation. This is only about a 10 minute walk from the festival site so it's no great hardship.

There was another boat who also had to move and he opted to retreat to the Queen's Head moorings but being a solo boater he was unable to proceed to the winding hole due to the lift bridge. As we were going through the lift bridge ourselves we offered to assist him by operating the lift bridge and waiting until he returned from the winding hole before lowering the bridge again.

Last night was a very quiet night except for the occasional downpours of heavy rain which has caused a local stream to flood closing a nearby lane to traffic. There was a very strong flow across the road at a depth of 2 feet.

Nobody's prepared to tackle this at over 2 foot now

This morning started out fine which was a good sign for the festival organisers but just before the official opening it started to rain, wouldn't you just know it! The festival was opened by Heledd Fychan from ITV's "Waterworld" programme and she was presented with a posy of flowers in a model narrowboat. Late morning and the sun did break through for a while which was just starting to dry the muddy site out nicely when there was a torrential downpour sending everybody scurrying for cover. Only a couple of the scheduled exhibitors or stall holders couldn't attend and the model steam railway was unable to set up shop due to the very soft terrain.

Heledd Fychan from ITV's "Waterworld" programme

Talking to one of the event officials while queuing for a hamburger she told us that they were very pleased with the turn out despite the weather and the car park set up in the grounds of Maesbury Boat builders yard was almost full so day 1 appears to have been a success. Hopefully the weather will improve for tomorrow and they get another good turn out.

Shrewsbury Morris Dancers at the festival

Does it ever stop raining in the country? No summer and now river levels are so high all over the country with flooding forecast and unsafe to navigate. Thank goodness we are now back on the canals.