At the weekend we managed to tick something off our 'list' that we've been meaning to do for ages .... we finally walked across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Llangollen, which is a designated World Heritage Site.
We came in July, but it was so crowded we decided not to attempt the walk across on the narrow towpath. This time it was much quieter.
The aqueduct was constructed 200 years ago by Thomas Telford and William Jessop to bridge a 1007 foot gap across the Dee Valley, to enable the canal to reach Ellesmere Port, and the Mersey Basin.
It is basically a cast iron trough resting on 19 supporting pillars, filled with water...... 126 foot above the river below. The photo just doesn't convey how high up it is!!!
When you get across the walkway, you can go down a set of steps and cross under the aqueduct to the other side.
We carried walking along the towpath, and saw lots of typical canal sights ....
This boat seemed to be on fire, but was only burning logs ... causing a huge amount of smoke!
Time to head back .... after walking across so well the first time, this time Inca was a bit nervous, and we had to encourage her along. Luckily, she got over it, but for a few seconds we had visions of having to carry a huge beast along the towpath!!!
Canal boats were queuing to cross the aqueduct, it's incredibly busy!
It really is an amazing sight watching the boats go chugging across the stream in the sky!
A sad footnote to the tale ..... the canal never reached the River Mersey. The expense of the aqueduct, and the coming of the railways, led to the demise of the company in the end..... but my goodness, what a feat of engineering! I don't think it could be done today!
Wow - I'm not sure how I'd feel walking so high up - a combination of 2 things I'm unsure about - heights and water. Does look lovely though and all those gorgeous boats make it worthwhile :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs, I enjoyed the virtual walk with you!
ReplyDeleteHope that you are having a good Tuesday.
Fiona
Wow - think I saw this on Julia Bradburys canal walks - v. brave I dont think I could be that high up and so near the edge!!
ReplyDeleteImpressive.
ReplyDeleteI take my hat of to the engineers and to you and Mr PP for walking it, I could never walk over that in a month of Sundays!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I saw this on Rosies blog earlier in the year. It is an amazing piece of engineering. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteAlthough we have been to Llangollen umpteen times we have never walked across the aquaduct.I don't know whether I could!Super photos.
ReplyDeleteoh your braver than me!
ReplyDeletexxx
You were a lot braver than me! I only got halfway across when we visited earlier this year. Mind you there was a group of Japanese tourists heading towards me with umbrellas up! They and the slippy footpath and close proximity of the water made us turn around and go back. It sounds as if it was a lot quieter when you visited - you've taken some super photos:)
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I've heard of it before and now it's on my must do list for my next visit to my cousin who lives in Rhuddlan.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Helen
Its even scarier crossing on a boat! Great photos Kathy.
ReplyDeleteThose canal boats look so fun! Didn't one of the Monty Python guys do a show about crossing Europe in a canal boat a few years back? Looks like a very picturesque place to walk!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, you certainly don't see many of these about. I'd love to have a canal boat holiday, it sounds like such great fun don't you think xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I wouldn't cross that on foot or by boat in a month of Sundays, you're very brave. Poor Inca, no wonder she was nervous all that way up, but what a good dog for managing it. Those canal boats are so pretty, they always remind me of Rosie and Jim from when the kids were little.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get to do this - looks great! You've captured the experience very well in your photos. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous spot. We walked across it a couple of years ago but were content to see it in the distance when we went over to north Wales a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteNice roses and castles in the top photo.
What an interesting walk ~ so glad Inca braved it as well.
ReplyDeleteI just found a free pattern for pointy cats that reminded me of the artwork you did with your students. It's at his site:
http://www.weewonderfuls.com/pointykitty.html
Oh I love it here! My Dad was from Wales so we always used to go in the summer! I used to be able to walk across no problem but i think i'd probably pass out now :-P
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure :)
ReplyDeleteI just found your site from Sandra at Just So...
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a photo scavenger hunt and would love to join in. Wow, the aqueduct pics are amazing. We don't have anything like it in Australia.
xXx Helen
Lovely photos and a very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHave you done the October Scavenger list yet as I can't find it on here?
Thanks.
You two are so brave. Without a railing on one side would really frighten me. Beautiful to see through your blog though. What a brave Inca!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog. I'm looking forward to seeing your next scavenger hunt list... :)
ReplyDeleteH