Crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

What a day! We were off by 8.00am in the cool of the morning heading for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct enroute for Llangollen and the end of the canal.

The aqueduct didn’t disappoint, it was a thrilling trip high above the Dee Valley on this world heritage site monument built by Thomas Telford. The views all round were extensive and expansive and I could take time to soak it all in as boat was guided by the trough!

We had to wait for a couple of boats to pass to negotiate the sharp turn at Trevor to proceed towards Llangollen. The first part of the route was splendid, high above the Dee Valley.

The last couple of miles were taxing as the canal was very narrow and twisting as it forged its way on a cleft driven into the valley sides. Susan had to act as a lookout to make sure no boats were coming the opposite way. In one stretch there was one passing place, in another 500 metre stretch, none at all.

We successfully negotiated all the obstacles and arrived at the basin to moor around mid day. Time for lunch, coffee and scone before setting off on a long held ambition to visit Castell Dinas Bran which sits high above Llangollen.

For more than 60 years as I’ve passed down the A5 into the Vale of Llangollen on the way to the coast on holiday Castell Dinas Bran has a landmark and I’ve always wondered about it. Today we walked up to it and we’re astounded by the ruins and the views.

Our walk continued to the ruins of an abbey and finally to the Horseshoe Falls, a weir on the River Dee which was build to divert water into the Llangollen canal. It was a popular place for swimmers as was the River Dee itself.

Finally returning to Llangollen we crossed the Chainbridge and has a quick look at Berwyn Station on the Llangollen railway - our destination on Saturday before we drive home.

Despite the threat of thunderstorms we only had a few drops on the last mile back to the boat.