Made an even earlier start today and lifted the hooks shortly after 07:00 hours and proceded up to the first of the two New Marton Locks. I was hoping to do this one on my own but Lin emerged from her pit in time to steer TQ into the lock. The scenery is becoming more interesting the further we go and is quite dramatic as we approach Chirk.
Crossing Chirk Aqueduct
We couldn't have wished for better weather to do this in, in fact for once the weather has been kind if a little chilly, but we can put up with that.
The thing is with this part of the world there is more excitement just around the corner, quite literaly as we cruise the aqueduct and then into Chirk Tunnel. Who would believe an aqueduct high above the valley then straight into a tunnel...amazing. The railway is on the adjacent viaduct and the canal bends left through the tunnel under the railway. There is so much going on here. As the canal follows the contour of the hills it bends and narrows as it flows through Froncysyllte, throught the lifting bridge around the bend and across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This is 1007 feet long, and 216 feet above the River Dee. Not for the feint hearted as there are no railings on the offside.
We turned left in Trevor Basin only to be stopped by BW workers who told us the canal was closed so we had to back out the hundred yards or so back into the basin where we moored up. This is the end of the line for us, so we went for lunch in the Telford Inn and very nice it was too. We had Telfords Steak Pie with potatoes and peas. As much as we could eat.
As we can go no further on the cut, we plan to catch the bus to Llangollen tomorrow.
I'll upload some more video when I get home as although our 3 connection is fast here in Trevor it takes about 30 minutes to upload a video like the one above. So here's some pix:-
Approaching the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The edge of the aqueduct is 2" wide. 50.8mm in new money.
And that's 126 feet down into the River Dee!
T is for tall!
1007 feet long.
From the River Dee.
Not quite straight as a die, but that's the railings.
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