Wending to Wales: Day 17

We heard the first boats start leaving the basin before 7 this morning, and more followed at regular intervals.  As we had a non moving day planned, we fancied scrambled eggs for breakfast — but we had no eggs.  So I popped into town while Adrian had his shower.  Later in the morning we walked down to the heritage railway station, which we’d booked day ranger tickets for.  It wasn’t a steam day, instead there was a little two coach diesel train on.

The journey up to Corwen takes about 40 minutes.  Corwen Station opened only in June; it’s a brand new station, built by volunteers.  It’s closer to town than the original, meaning it’s just a short walk to the Main Street with a selection of cafes.  We had about 40 minutes before the return journey.

On the way back, we got off at the first stop, Carrog, and walked over the bridge to the village.  It’s very pretty, especially on such a lovely sunny day.

We had an ok lunch at the Grouse Inn, and then as we had plenty of time we got the train back to Corwen.

This time we found the museum, which has a model railway upstairs.  It’s not the biggest (in fact Nigel’s is probably more impressive).  On our second return journey, we got off at the penultimate station, Berwyn.  There’s a path under the railway line to the Chain Bridge.  This was closed last time we were here because it was unsafe, but was restored and reopened in 2015.

We walked up to the Horseshoe Falls, which is the first step in diverting water from the River Dee into the canal.

We walked back from there to the basin.  En route, not only did we see the train again, but the horse-drawn trip boat.

Back at the basin, we ran the hosepipe along the roof so we could fill with water, and then lent it to a 70ft Black Prince hire boat, whose own hose wouldn’t reach.  There have been regular arrivals, so the basin is filling up again.

0 miles, 0 locks.  (206 miles, 132 locks)

Wending to Wales: Day 16

Having seen the number of boats going to and from Llangollen over the past couple of days, we concluded there was probably no best time to go — and we’d just head off when we were ready.  Last evening, a couple of boats went across the aqueduct, turned round, and came back past us.  It rained pretty much all night, but by this morning has largely stopped.  We got going about 8.20, went through the lift bridge, and along to the aqueduct — where we had it to ourselves.

It was a different story as we tried to make the turn towards Llangollen — a boat was right there coming through the bridge, and said there were three more behind.  We got out of the way and waited for them all.  Once we had made the turn, we came up behind a Black Prince hire boat with a couple of Australians on board, who asked if we could go first so they could follow us.  The next boat we met was on a fairly shallow bit, and at one point we were both aground.  Over the next few miles we met probably a dozen more boats; we had to wait at all the narrow sections for boats to come through, and Adrian walked up to the far end of each one to make sure the coast stayed clear.  The narrow sections really are only a boat wide, as you cling to the side of the mountain.

We eventually made it to the basin, and reversed into a berth.  It was just before noon, so had taken three and a half hours to do six miles.  The basin is pretty busy, and when we went to pay for our mooring at the Wharf, the guy behind the counter said this is usually the busiest week of the year, straight after the schools go back.  He said most people would be leaving tomorrow though, so we’ll see if he’s right.

From the Wharf, we walked down the hill into town, and across the bridge over the River Dee.

We had a very nice lunch at the Corn Mill, at a window table overlooking the river.  Then we had a look round town and walked up to Plas Newydd, the home of the Ladies of Llangollen.  They filled an otherwise fairly unremarkable house with gothic carvings, and hosted the likes of Wellington and Wordsworth.

There are extensive grounds, including a walk alongside a babbling brook.

We walked back to the boat via the bridge further along the canal, as Adrian had a work call to do at 4pm. We hadn’t been back many minutes when the long-predicted rain arrived again, although even then it didn’t last long.

6 miles, 0 locks. (206 miles, 132 locks)