Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

 Tuesday 25/05/21

It's the last day of this trip and the weather played ball so we decided to tackle the walk to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  It's a 4 mile walk but, as it is along the canal, the route is quite flat.  

We packed lunch and coffee and set off at around 10:00.  We had contemplated cycling, but were pleased we were walking as it was very muddy underfoot.  The route takes one along the tow-path and goes through a tunnel at one point which made passing other pedestrians quite challenging.

Following a boat through the tunnel

Our view of the viaduct in the distance

Starting our walk across the aqueduct.

The river Dee, far below.

Very impressive construction

We caught a glimpse of the viaduct along the way as the railway splits off from the canal and crosses downriver from the aqueduct.  We timed our arrival perfectly as there was a lot of activity over the aquaduct and at the canal intersection nearby.  We had grandstand seats while we ate our lunch and had great fun watching the comings and goings of the narrow boats.

The Pontcysyllte aqueduct, meaning 'the bridge that links' is an 18-arched stone and cast iron structure built between 1995 and 1805.  It is 3.7m wide and is the longest aqueduct in Great Britian, and the highest canal aqueduct in the world.

Flashbacks to the Ever Given / Suez fiasco...

Toni trying not to get blown off on the way back - locals called it 'The Stream in the Sky'

All too soon it was time to head back and we then found that the wind had picked up and it was particularly gusty crossing the aqueduct - not for the faint-hearted!  By the time we got back our legs and feet were feeling the past few day's activity; we're both looking forward to a few day's off back in Baldock.  Can't wait to catch up with Charmaine and Shadow.

Bonus: This camp is over-run with rabbits and they are incredibly cute, and make for great photo opportunities!

Every time the sun came out they would stop eating and sun themselves.

'Let me tell you a secret...'

So cute!!!