Rainbow over Chirk Marina
Back over the River Ceiriog into England.
The daffodils on the sheltered bank near Monks Bridge are usually the first to open, and this year is no different…
Tescoman arrived as planned, then we moved down to the moorings outside The Poachers for a couple of nights.
Yesterday we turned around on the bend just up from the moorings and headed back. I know, it’s getting boring…
Back past The Poachers
In fine weather there are few views on this canal that can beat that of Chirk Aqueduct, with the railway viaduct alongside and the tunnel in the distance.
Chirk Tunnel reflections.
Flowstone ribs at the north end of the tunnel, caused by water dissolving minerals out of the brickwork and depositing them as it leaks through.
We pulled in opposite Chirk Marina and I set to, converting the day’s booty into something that would fit in the stove…
This morning we were on the move again, heading up to the moorings just this side of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to fill the water tank. Normally we’d cross the aqueduct and turn around at the other end to come back, but it’s closed for maintenance so I turned around just past Fron Lift Bridge and reversed the 200 yards to the water taps.
After we’d filled I walked along to see how they were doing, and was surprised to see the trough still full, but with large pumps taking the water out.
I wonder if the closure was delayed, maybe by the dredging operation in Trevor Basin. They’d planned to start work on Tuesday. And I understood that they’d be pulling the plug over the river to empty it, rather than the rather mundane method of pumping it out.
Crossing under the end of the aqueduct the 214 year old structure still impresses.
Leaks at the ends where the iron trough meets the stone abutments are faster in the winter when the trough shrinks. They slow down in warmer weather.
With the tank full again we headed back, through the lift bridge and along the channel above the river, turning away from the valley at Irish Bridge and mooring up on the rings just shy of Whitehouse Tunnel.
We’ll be here till after the weekend, it’s looks like Sunday is going to be pretty grim…
Locks 0, miles 7¼
3 comments:
Strange indeed that they didn't 'pull the plug' unless the chain broke.. LOL
Hope you are all keeping warm and dry and that Mags is improving :)
Stay safe and secure on Sunday - button down those hatches!
I am due to give a talk to our local canal society in March and part of it involves Llangollen. During my research I noticed that the aqueduct was due to be drained in 2020. Pictures of this happening would have been great to add to my talk, however when I contacted the local C&RT staff I was told it had been decided not to drain it completely, just empty some out, which is why, I guess, they are pumping rather than 'pulling the plug'.
Stay safe on Sunday. Jennie nb Tentatrice
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