The other stop planned for today is the first proper Wales stop. And from the beginning we are having trouble with the names, at least on a computer you can copy the name of the attraction, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct built in 1805. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site being the longest aqueduct in UK and the highest canal aqueduct in the world so we are looking forward to it. But first to find the parking and it is…empty? Are we in the right spot? The map seems to indicate so, so we start on the way towards the aqueduct.
Soon we discover that we are on the right way as the trail brings us to the very narrow boats that ply the canal on the aqueduct. Unfortunately all of them stopped working before 5PM so the only way to visit the canal is on foot.
So on foot it is. We start on the narrow path near the canal to cross the aqueduct but soon one by one our group is peeling off. Too high, too narrow, too windy, too everything. And it is all of these! If you look down if you have even a hint of acrophobia it is probably not a good place to be but the views are quite good.
Only one of our group finally decides to try to completely cross the aqueduct, a 300m distance that feels more like kilometers when buffeted by winds at a height of 38m. And the bonus at the other side is a quiet place with mallards and lots and lots of mosquitoes that at least incentivize the return trip.
And yes the only way is back over the aqueduct. Ideally if you have been on it in one direction you are used at least a bit but that is not the case because now the hand that holds the phone that makes photos is also the one that has to hold tight…..so it is quite exhilarating and scary. And survivable as he makes it back to the starting point unscathed.
Back on the original side we explore the trails trying to get below the aqueduct to admire it also from the below. And we can also do some birding in the forest with Great Tits being quite abundant here.
The trail is quite nice and soon the views are quite impressive and we start to get a fear of heights just by seeing how high the aqueduct is.
The surrounding area is quite beautiful with many canals crisscrossing the countryside and lots of beautiful wildflowers.
There are also the requisite Wood Pigeons but also quite a few squirrels which are always fun to see.
The most special bird we see is near a narrow canal, it is a Song Thrush the first one we have seen this year.
Finally we arrive at the water level and from here the aqueduct is imposing. It was quite an investment at that time and it helped to move goods faster through the countryside before it was closed around 1939 for commercial traffic and then reopened for leisure traffic afterwards. And then it is time to climb up and then hurry to our accomodation as they told us that the restaurants are closing early and it is already past 6PM.
