Almost over the border….

With a dry day “on the bank” I got all my firewood sliced up and a fair quantity split and stored in the cratch. And we had that barbeque…..
A cold, overcast day, but we had a good time nevertheless. George cooked the meat, Carol provided jacket potatoes and rice, Ann came with veg and a pudding and we provided the plates, somewhere to eat, and did the washing up afterwards!

It was full dark by the time we’d finished, so the pooches didn’t get much of a walk.

After another cold night (we’ve been having -5°) it was a fine bright day today. I’d got a bit more wood to cut before we left, and Jan and Dai arrived on NB Jandai before we were ready to go. They had booked to go onto the Montgomery, and were at the junction a couple of days ago. They had a walk down the Frankton Locks and changed their minds about the trip. A short distance below the flight the canal was completely iced over. That’s a big advantage of being on the main line of the Llangollen. The continual flow down to Hurleston Reservoir helps keep it ice-free.

We got away around 11:00, and had the two New Marton Locks to ascend almost straight away.

Tail end Charlie (again) going into New Marton Top Lock.

Filling the water tank above the locks.
Welsh lumpy bits can be seen on the horizon now.

At St Martin’s Moor contractors were busy putting new fendering under the bridge, ready for the “crash bang wallop” season to commence.

Fender fitting

Approaching Chirk the open views of countryside are swapped for nearer horizons as the hills start to rise on either side. Roads start to encroach on the canal as they share the best route through the valleys.

Near the Poacher’s Pocket Inn, approaching Chirk Bank

We pulled in just before Bridge 21, on Chirk Bank.

Moored near Monks Bridge, No 21.
We’re only 5 minutes walk from Chirk Aqueduct, so we took the dogs for a walk to see what’s in store for tomorrow.

Chirk Aqueduct and Railway Viaduct.
The aqueduct was completed in 1801, but is now overshadowed by the railway viaduct, completed 57 years later.

Looking down the water trough.

In the distance can be seen the third major feature here, the 460 yard long Chirk Tunnel.

Chirk Tunnel
This end of the aqueduct we’re now in Wales, the border follows the River Ceiriog, spanned by both the canal and railway.

Looking back to England

Shadows of both crossings on the field below.

It’s going to be another cold one tonight, then tomorrow we’ll push on across this and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Trevor. Two aqueducts and two tunnels. Exciting, eh!

Locks 2, miles 3½