Aqueducts and viaducts galore.

Boats had been passing us both ways from about 0630 but we just did our normal thing really.

Our different view of the twin bridges was by passing over it of course. The aqueduct is in an iron trough like at the Pontcysyllte but is covered in masonry.

You don't get that death defying look down to the ground with just an inch or two of iron saving you. It is still quite a nice view in either direction.

Right at the end of the aqueduct is the Chirk tunnel. This Llangollen Canal has the lot doesn't it?! A narrow boat left the little pool after the aqueduct and before the tunnel as we started across and we were to follow it all the way to day. The tunnel was started in 1794 and opened in 1802, so the aqueduct was completed first.

As we passed through the cutting at the other end of the tunnel a cheeky mallard decided to cadge a lift for several minutes. I had my fingers crossed as I had washed the boat the evening before. She behaved herself though.

Chirk Marina is a convenient base for day boats wishing to cross the aqueducts etc and they add to the chaos that sometimes can ensue in the busy area.

The short Whitehouses Tunnel comes next and two of the canoes set off behind the boat in front. The third stayed and came behind us. We weren't able to see the ones in front easily so we were well back. This wasn't so easy as the boat was going so slowly with caution and the current in the canal we were having to slip out of gear at times. It was to continue.

Through the Trees you get glimpses of the Chester and Shrewsbury Railway Cefn Viaduct it was opened in 1846 and the speed of its construction was assisted by having the canal to transport materials. It is 147' above the valley floor and has 19 arches.

As you get closer to the Froncysyllte there are moorings where once was a limestone quarry wharf. Plateways brought the stone down from quarries further away too. There are the remains of six lime kilns that were fed from the road level and discharged at the canal level for ease of loading. 

Our first glimpse of the 'canal in the sky'.

It always seems to be busy at the lift bridge at Fron and today was no exception. We passed about eight going down hill and then we were passing through. The bridge was up but nobody there to close it. As there was a queue of cars, and a bit of a gap to the next boat behind us, Helen jumped off to close it.

By now we had collected another boat ahead of us that was going even slower than the first. Almost everytime they met a boat they jumped off to let it pass, even though the canal was wide enough!

Finally Pontcysyllte is in sight.