Sunday 9th August

After a very pleasant meal last night at The Poachers we set off only to see that 2 boats ahead had the morning papers. After asking where they had bought them we moored again and I walked up to a garage across the busiest roundabout. There were cars coming from 5 directions and the speed was very scary. No one would survive being hit at those speeds. 

Back on the boat it was an easy run to the Chirk aqueduct. Crossing over with the train viaduct on the side is excellent. As are the views through the arches.

Just before you enter the tunnel you pass into Wales.

After mooring, in a rather gloomy spot but very close to the station to meet Fiona tomorrow, we walked into Chirk, had a look round the church and then walked back over the aqueduct to have lunch at the Bridge Inn. We actually had Sunday Roast and it is many weeks since that happened. The terrace has a good view of the aqueduct and viaduct but it would help if the trees were cut back!

We returned to the boat after retracing our steps across the aqueduct and also through the tunnel. This gnome is apparently called Frank and always accompanies the family on holiday. They certainly need a large suitcase and hopefully don't need the bow rope in a hurry as that is how Frank is tied on.

A little further along the towpath we saw the young couple whom we had met on the River Weaver. They have been across The Pontcysyllte and he did sit in a tin bath as the crossed the aqueduct - the largest tin bath in the world!