As
occurred in 2007 there was a mob desirous of a week narrow boating. We opted
for the very picturesque Llangollen canal with Black Prince operating out of
Chirk. We arrived on Saturday and stayed in the marina so as to go to the local
boat house (in the background) to watch the Wales England game. What a match
with the Welsh just prevailing 28 – 25. The Pommie publican was less than amused but his Welsh Clientele were drunkenly ecstatic. ("Never mind what else happens in the RWC we beat the English.")
The
following day set a precedence for the week. Calm, cool, reflective mornings
and balmy sunny days. The Sunday was spent travelling to see Australia v
Uruguay at the Aston Villa ground (65 – 3).
We
got back in time to travel up the cut for an hour and the following day set off
for Chirk castle. A great walk across the fields.
Inside
Michael and the boys were taken by the firearms.
Whereas I was more impressed with the log water pipe from early 1600.
The
Llangollen is spectacular and includes the 38 metre high Pontcysyllte aqueduct
built in 1795. It is quite a weird feeling as the boat deck is level with the
wall of the aqueduct and you are less than a foot to stepping off over the
edge. The boat’s shadow helps with the scale of the drop.
The
end of the canal is at Llangollen where we overnighted. We walked up to the
source of the canal which is Horseshoe falls. A little less dramatic than those
of the same name we saw last year at Niagara.
Llangollen is particularly beautiful where it straddles the River Dee.
There
are quite a few attractions one of which is a heritage train which we had to travel
on.
All
aboard looked quite relaxed
Clearly
they had no idea who was in control up front.
We
had a flotilla of three boats and hogged the aqueduct on the way back.
Mind
you the canal has so many photo opportunities
although it is not all relaxing. Here the boys really put the backs into working the locks
While
the girls rest their bottoms…..
others in the team thought they were Royalty and practiced their wave to the lock operators (and anyone else who was around).
While some played, others learnt the art of helming and at the end of the week could competently relieve Dad.
The
week went very quickly indeed and rather than rush back to the marina that
after our last lock we would enjoy the sun setting. The chairs and cushions
were laid out, a table made out of buckets and a water locker cover and then plenty
of cheese, biscuits and wine. How good can it get?
The
sunset was glorious and gave rise to this peaceful shot
Along with our own modern day Neptune who had looked over the
weeks adventures.
Once
the sun had set the mist crept in and produced a mystical landscape.
With
the days being cooler the mist took quite a time to clear but the Chirk aqueduct
adjoining the railway viaduct was nonetheless very impressive looming out of the
gloom.
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