A bimble around the Horseshoe Falls

A bimble around the Horseshoe Falls

holidays/days out vegetarian

Hello, and goodbye to Squirrels Guest House in Llangollen. Lilian Speake is the perfect host and her house is lovely. We chatted for ages, I think I have a new friend, and she has a ginger cat just like Bugsy. If anyone needs accommodation in Llangollen give her a call, number on the web site.

So, after breakfast I checked out and drove the short distance to Horseshoe Falls to have a look around. The river flows pretty rapidly at this point.

I took a short walk down the canal and came to the Chain Bridge Hotel, named after the river crossing just there. 

It looks very posh, probably very expensive to stay there. I was chatting to some people who said it is a favourite wedding venue.

On the other side of the river is the train station, and as luck would have it the train arrived from Llangollen, so another chance to snap this beauty.

I had a little bimble around the area and took a few snaps.

Howzabout that for a venue. It has absolutely no gardens with it, sandwiched between the canal tow path and the river, with the constant noise of the water rushing by.

I like arch bridges.

This is the station taken from the lower bridge.

After a couple of hours here, I went on to Port Meirion, about an hour and a half drive away. I took loads of pictures there, it was a brilliantly amazing place. I'm going to save them till I get home. Something to look forward to, but worth waiting for. Dead lucky with the weather today, sunny, blue skies, and warm. perfect.

It's late now and time for bed. I am in a B & B at Caernarfon, had a quick look round the town,  tomorrow the Menai bridge to Anglessey. Oooh, all excited.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Llangollen steam, and Pontcysyllte Viaduct

Llangollen steam, and Pontcysyllte Viaduct

holidays/days out walking

Hello. Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I've had a brilliant day, except for one little mishap, I broke a tooth. Drat, a visit to the dentist when I get back. It was a back molar so I haven't got a toothy grin thank goodness.

The railway station is almost opposite the B & B and I noticed a steam train was in and had to have a look at it. I just love them. A real old fashioned station.

Look at this beauty. A lot of holiday makers were on board waiting to set off. I had already decided what I was going to do today, but I was sorely tempted to change my plans and jump on it.

They let me get in to see the engine, the heat coming off that fire was sweltering.

Two lovely volunteers who keep the trains running. These old trains and stations would lie rotting if it wasn't for these dedicated people who give their time so everyone can enjoy them.

Happy me on my birthday. Lots of train enthusiasts about snapping away, everyone was so friendly.

Getting stoked up and steaming, preparing to go.

Happy smiles from the driver and his mate.

The chuff sound chuff, the hissing of the steam, the toot of the whistle, it's just magic. This is the site for the Llangollen Railway.

After seeing the train off, I got on the Llangollen Canal and started walking. The sign said four and a half miles to Pontcysyllte. It's a lovely walk, The birds were singing, mummy ducks were watching over their babies and guiding them through the water, and the smell of the garlic plants was lovely. Lots of boats were up and down, everyone saying good morning, happy people on their holidays.  

Here I am at the start of the viaduct. It's a one way system so people have to wait their turn to cross. Boats followed each other, several at a time. 

Ha ha, Shawn the sheep at the entrance to the Visitor Centre. 

Here, I am half way across, looking down on the River Dee below.

There is a narrow footpath along one side of it. The boats are right up to the edge of a sheer drop on the other side.

More fantastic views.

Wow it's a long way down.

I walked over and back, then went down to a road to get some distance shots.

Now you can see how tall it is.

Here is a good web site for the Aqueduct.  And this one.

Time to move on, time to head back by a different route. I picked up the sign for Offa's Dyke Path, it looked interesting. Through a wood.

And out onto the hills, they call it the Panorama Walk. Fantastic views. That's Llangollen down there. Time to linger and sit for a while and eat my sandwich.

Off the path and onto a road where the sheep roam free.

I had it in mind to go up there, but watched two walkers slowly crawl towards the top. It looked a bit steep and I hadn't got time, so I took the easy route and bimbled around the bottom of it.

I picked up the road again and came back down to the canal. This is Llangollen Junction.

Once back in the town I called in the Co op for some food to have a picnic in my room. Yes, I have cake, I found an iced lemon cake, reduced from £1.25 to 44p. I've checked the total walked and it's 12 miles. I'm pleased with that, it was a brilliant day.

I'm moving on tomorrow to find something else to look at. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday

Good morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Today I celebrate 68 years on this earth, tomorrow is the start of my 69th year. What a bonus to reach this point in my life.

I'm watching breakfast TV in bed with a cup of coffee. Breakfast is served in the dining room in 15 minutes. Mushrooms, eggs, beans and a veggie sausage. That will set me up for the day.

Weather is a bit dull, but dry so far. There will be a few showers so I'm prepared for that. Nothing will dampen my spirits today. I aim to enjoy. The car stays here and I am going for a nice walk along the canal.

Catch you later.
Toodle pip

Amazing Anderton Boat Lift

Amazing Anderton Boat Lift

amazing holidays/days out

Hello. I'm having a little bimble. My first port of call is the Anderton Boat lift at Northwich, it has been on my 'to do' list for ages. It's an amazing piece of engineering which moves narrow boats from the low level of the River Weaver to the high level of the Trent and Mersey Canal. there are two lifts side by side, so when one is going up the other is coming down. I paid the £7 to ride on a boat and go up on the lift. The pilot gave a very informative talk. It was a slow process, steering the boat into the lift, waiting for the lock doors to open and close. It was similar to going into a normal lock.  

For more information on the Boat Lift check out this site.

Luckily the rain held off long enough for me to walk around the site. The Anderton Marina was full of boats. This part is for permanent residents. 

That's one place ticked off, tomorrow I am going to see the Pontcysllte Aqueduct. My B & B for two nights is in Llangollen. I had a walk around the town and bought some food for my picnic in the room. The River Dee runs through the town. Beautiful scenery.

The weather hasn't been too good today, where has the sun gone? Tomorrow I plan to walk the four miles along the canal to the Aqueduct, and back again. Janet, if you are reading this, the mobile phone signal is very poor here.

I'm a bit  tired so I'll sign off now. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip