It didn't take me long to return to Britain, if only in my head. A theme that will be repeated on this blog.
This is a look at Llangollen, Wales! Llangollen is a tourist mecca in the county of Denbighshire. Farming is still a large draw here, as in the past with the wool industry.
The gorgeous side of Llangollen.
The busy, busy side of Llangollen.
....You MUST go here:
The Corn Mill
If you are a seafood lover, you must have this here (even though this isn't France) Moules et Frites! Watch the best view in town of the River Dee going by, while tucking in.
The 600 year old mill is still churning , if only for show.
With a bit of walking from the car park you most likely had to park in (especially if Eisteddfod is on), proceed up a hill you will find the canal, a tea room and choices of how you can enjoy the canal.
More details for the canal wharfage and trips here.
There is a footpath to stroll or peddle, a horse drawn canal ride, or a tour over the aqueduct.
Like the sign says, there is a horse drawn ride that is about 45 minutes.
Changing rudder direction:
The horse drawn ride is leisurely and quite scenic. It is a great taster when you don't have time for the long ride.
Near the tea room you can get tickets for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. I recommend buying tickets ahead of time. On our first try we were disappointed and had to pre-book for the next day, buying tickets on the day is risky. In any case, this where you pick up the tickets. You then troupe back down the hill to catch a bus. The bus will then take you to the starting point (this is if you want to return to Llangollen, if not, reverse the whole the whole thing at the proper time schedule).
Ok, bussed to the right point and all queued to embark for our 2 hour trip, 5 miles back to Llangollen.
The much anticipated approach of our tour boat.
The pass by:
The turn about:
Ok, all aboard with our refreshments and camera ready! You can stay under cover in the boat, or have an open view from a deck, taking turns with other guests.
Entering the aqueduct all 126ft (38m) of it, thank you Thomas Telford.
Here we go!
Passing the bike/pedestrian path on top.
Vantage point from biking/walking path:
Hope someone is bending it like Beckham down there!
More views from the top of the water:
Leaving the aquaduct.
The friendly and sometimes tricky business of passing other boats (Doesn't happen on the aqueduct, as you can imagine).
Many ways to pass by....
It is lovely how boaters make the boat their own, flowers, flags, painting...More on that in future blogs.
Back to headquarters at Llangollen. The tea room is mentioned in the blog:
This is what we just went over!
Brill!
In the area you can also visit Castell Dinas Bran:
You can see this perched high above Llangollen but a good walk up the hill provides panoramic views and gets you closer to the history of the place.
Translated to Castle of Crow City, Castell Dinas Bran is a medievial castle with legendary links to King Arthur.
Translated to New Mansion, Plas Newydd was the 14th century home of two Irish ladies that eloped. This was scandalous at the time, but they soon were accepted and entertained many high profile guests at their home. You can wander around the grounds and see inside the mostly Gothic styled house.
...Or take a 10 mile train ride on Rheilffordd Llangollen (Llangollen Railway) to Corwen.
If you happen to Llangollen at the right time, usually late summer, you can experience the musical scene of Eisteddfod.
The Llangollen Eisteddfod Facebook page should update the annual event.
I don't think you will see, or hear the Beatles here.
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