We left Ellesmere in the rain on Thursday, and decided we would try and make it to Hindley, just before New Marton Locks. We left early and had a stop for coffee mid morning. We were doing well until just before midday, when we ran aground whilst being kind and letting a boat through a bridge. It took a hire boat and people on the tow path to pull us off. The next mishap was another bridge which was steeply angled to the right, and we ran aground again!! Boat behind us helped pull us off that time. The third time that day it happened again, but we managed to get ourselves going. We were exhausted so stopped at Hindley to recover for the night.

New Marton locks

Bridge by the top lock over the bywash

On Friday we travelled to Chirk, being more careful that we didn’t have any more mishaps (canal level low in places). Chirk is a pleasant town with many old buildings, and it overlooks the border between England and Wales. It also has an aqueduct that is slightly smaller than the one at Pontcysyllite, with a railway viaduct alongside.

Chirk aqueduct 70′ high spanning the River Ceiriog. The viaduct next to it is 100′ high.

A 459yd tunnel follows known locally as “the darkie”

View of the aqueduct from the top of the south portal of the tunnel the blue boat in the foreground is selling sweets, icecream and drinks.

view of the river Ceiriog from the aqueduct

We had a look around Chirk, and partook of a coffee and cake in the local tea rooms, before walking over the top of the tunnel to the north side, then returning through it walking, with the lights of boats travelling through showing the way.

Tea rooms that made a very good coffee that was hot!

Our visit wouldn’t be complete without a walk in and around the church

St Mary’s church

Chirk also has a Cadbury hot chocolate factory, and a timber factory that makes chipboard with wood from Scotland.

We then returned to the boat for lunch. We plan to move tomorrow and get closer to Llangollen. Travelling over the Chirk Aqueduct in preparation for the next one!