Today we were up early and decided to move closer to the big aqueduct before boat traffic started, as many places very narrow and tree lined, so view can be restricted. It’s a lovely area, but the canal current is very strong the closer we get to Llangollen. This is due to the water from the River Dee being directed into the canal at Horseshoe Falls at the rate of 12 million gallons a day. On going through the Chirk and Whitehouse Tunnels, we had to maintain quite a bit of power as going against the current.

Across the Chirk aqueduct

View through the viaduct across the valley

Into Chirk tunnel….

and out again.

Travelling up the Llangollen canal

We made it to Froncysyllite (not a wrong  spelling), a village on the edge of the hillside just before the Pontcysyllite aqueduct. We had breakfast and then went walking to take some pictures as may be too scary when we travel over it in the boat! We have had Cornish weather this morning, with mizzle.

The famous Pontcysyllite aqueduct. Built in 10yrs, at a cost of £47,000, by Thomas Telford. It is 126ft above the River Dee, and is 1007ft in length. It was opened in 1805. Today it remains as built apart from renewals of the balustrade, and the towpath structure.

side view

The River Dee from the aqueduct

View over the Dee valley (note the far side edge)

A bit of history

Another side view

Signpost so we know where to go!!

Trevor basin where Anglo Welsh hire boats have a base

Canal art at Trevor basin cleverly using old tools and bricks

more canal art

Close up of last picture again using pick axe handles in the design. It looks like a spine.

We will probably stay here for 48hrs the proceed along the scary aqueduct. I don’t do heights very well so may just look ahead and breath deeply! Sunday Lunch is cooking and Charlie fishing. Mizzle has stopped and the sun is now shining.