From tpav@globalnet.co.uk Tue Apr 13 14:33:16 1999 Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 17:03:42 +0100 From: Trevor Pavitt Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canals@blacksheep.org Subject: Lady Elgar goes North - 5 We finally reached the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (known locally as the ^Óacky^Ô) last Monday after quite a struggle through the Chirk tunnel ^Ö there is a very distinct current on the Llangollen canal and this makes for slow going as you approach Llangollen itself. We moored just below the aqueduct for a couple of days. Nearby was the village of Fron which has two pubs and an excellent Indian take-away; I was also able to cycle into Llangollen for supplies. Having had problems with the depth on this canal we had more or less abandoned the idea of going the last few miles into Llangollen but we consulted some friends, who are running the local trip boat, and they assured us that (despite what Nicholson says) a boat of 24^Ô draft can easily make it and this proved to be the case. My brother and sister in law and neice Helen joined us for the trip and we had an enjoyable day despite a very strong wind at times. The canal from Trevor to Llangollen is actually a navigable feeder (the canal is fed by the Dee, which it itself crosses!) and is very narrow in places. Crossing the aqueduct is, of course, a unique experience ^Ö every boater should try to do it. After our sojourn at Fron we sped back to the Shroppie main line ^Ö very easy going compared to the travail of the way up although the lock weirs are running fast. We found good moorings at the ^ÓCheshire Lake District^Ô and Grindley Brook and at last we turned on to new waters - we have never before been north of Hurleston Junction. The Middlewich arm is most attractive and we are moored in lovely surroundings near the village of Church Minshull (about which Tom Rolt eulogises in ^ÓNarrow Boat^Ô) having sustained ourselves with a brace of pints at the ^ÓBadger^Ô Best wishes to all Trevor - nb "Lady Elgar" - SU Middlewich Branch