The Llangollen Canal

I spent a week in Chester, including a two day trip to the end of the canal to visit the Inland Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.  Amongst it's many exhibits the museum has a 100 year old working boat. Although they always look romantic the actual living accommodation comprises a single room at the rear known as a boat man's cabin which is only about 7 feet long.

After a long days cruising I retracing my route back to Hurleston junction and the following day I turned onto the Llangollen canal which welcomes visitors with a flight of 4 locks immediately, just to get you in the mood for the remaining 25 over the 40 mile journey ahead.  Although the canal is famous for the longest and highest aqueduct in the UK it is otherwise largely devoid of interest.  It passes a few villages and small towns but largely meanders through the Shropshire countryside.  That said it is not without some beautiful views - just nothing outstanding.

But then, through the trees one catches a glimpse of that masterpiece of engineering spanning the Dee valley.

And then, as you clear the final turn the famous "ribbon in the sky" appears before you. It really is quite a magnificent sight although you don't get a true impression of the hight due to the trees alongside until you are out there, 126' above the valley bottom.

When it is suddenly all too evident. Especially today when a 50 mph gale was blowing up the valley.

On my previous trip 3 years ago I made the mistake of arriving during a school half term and the canal was full of boats. Knowing that the final 4 miles to Llangollen is narrow I decided to give it a miss on that occasion.  

This time I was determined to complete the canal and I am so pleased I did.  The canal beyond the aqueduct narrows and winds as it tracks the contours of the valley side. The canal itself threads like a stream through the trees and frequently opens up stunning views of the majestic Welsh hills.

On reaching the canal terminus at Llangollen there was little room to moor and the best views were behind me so I turned around and trundled a mile back up the canal to a quiet spot with views up the valley. This spot will do me nicely for a couple of days while I explore the delights of Llangollen.

My next major waterway objective, later this month,  is to take Mr Bunbury down the Anderton boat lift.  As it's name suggests this is a lift for boats where you simply sail into a large water filled container which is then lowered 50' to join the river Weaver.