The depth of water was more than adequate for the first half of the trip but shortly before Ellesmere we heard the first scrapes and bangs from below as the canal became shallow. We made slow progress cutting through farmland to New Marton Locks. From here we could see the Welsh foothills, our intended destination. Luckily shortly after the locks the canal deepened making travelling easier. The lack of any more locks also helped.
Incredibly the canal remains at the same level on it's route through the hills. This is achieved initially by following contours and then the Chirk Aquaduct crosses the River Dee. A matching stone rail viaduct runs alongside the aquaduct giving an impressive close up view of the architecture.
Immediately after the aquaduct we entered Chirk Tunnel. At 459 yards this was our longest tunnel yet and it's only wide enough for one boat. At the entrance we could see straight through to the small arch of light at the exit. The way was clear so we switched on our spotlight and slowly sailed through the dark arched tunnel.
We emerged into woodland with the canal running parallel to the deep Dee valley. Through the trees we glimpsed the elegant Pontcysyllte Aquaduct which is 1000 feet long and stands 126 feet over the River Dee.
This slender aquaduct contrasts with the stone structure at Chirk. The canal flows in an iron trough which is supported by stone arches. The towpath with a protective railing runs along one side. On the other side there is just the lip of the trough and a sheer drop. The views are spectacular.
The far side of the aquaduct was busy, it is a hire boat base as well as a tourist attraction and plenty of people were walking round. We'd realised something was round the prop so pulled over and found swathes of polyester which would have to be cut off. It's tough cutting underwater so, standing on the back deck, Kev sharpened our 10 inch kitchen knife with the steel. I don't know what the passers-by thought but no-one stopped to chat.
After freeing the prop we made our escape back over the aquaduct. The canal is too shallow for us to go on to Llangollen but we were very pleased to have sailed over the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct.
Our journey from Grindley Brook to Pontcysyllte Aquaduct
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| Chirk Aquaduct - the matching railway viaduct is on the left and the entrance to Chirk Tunnel on the right |
We emerged into woodland with the canal running parallel to the deep Dee valley. Through the trees we glimpsed the elegant Pontcysyllte Aquaduct which is 1000 feet long and stands 126 feet over the River Dee.
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| View of Pontcysyllte Aquaduct from the canal |
This slender aquaduct contrasts with the stone structure at Chirk. The canal flows in an iron trough which is supported by stone arches. The towpath with a protective railing runs along one side. On the other side there is just the lip of the trough and a sheer drop. The views are spectacular.
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| Brent III on the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. |
The far side of the aquaduct was busy, it is a hire boat base as well as a tourist attraction and plenty of people were walking round. We'd realised something was round the prop so pulled over and found swathes of polyester which would have to be cut off. It's tough cutting underwater so, standing on the back deck, Kev sharpened our 10 inch kitchen knife with the steel. I don't know what the passers-by thought but no-one stopped to chat.
After freeing the prop we made our escape back over the aquaduct. The canal is too shallow for us to go on to Llangollen but we were very pleased to have sailed over the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct.
Our journey from Grindley Brook to Pontcysyllte Aquaduct
That's a great photo of Brent III on the aquaduct - must have been a brilliant experience. I wouldn't like to have to pronounce that name though!
ReplyDeleteJust as well there's no room for maneuver on that aqueduct! Great views though :)
ReplyDelete