Llangollen Canal - Day 8

Saturday, the last day of our holiday. Yet another glorious Autumn day and we were counting on the fine weather to continue just for another 24 hours! Having packed most of the boat the night before we pulled up pins at 8.45 to reach Chirk Marina just around the corner at 9am. [Martin: the result of more meticulous planning]. The boats need to be returned by then and unpacked by 9.30. I felt this might be the last of the physical work as we ferried crates and bags from Lucy to the car. At last we were set and in the car. Rather than just head for home we decided to see a bit more of this part of Wales and head south for lunch.

Our first stop was Valle Crucis Abbey just out of Llangollen. It was a truly beautiful and incredibly well preserved 13th century ruin in the valley. At this time of year there was hardly anyone else about so we were free to wander the ancient building. James always likes to claim 'his room' and chose a length of protective hessian for a blanket and flat rock for a pillow. Easily entertained! We do tell him about the history of places we visit so he gets an idea of 'the old days.' I overheard him tell Martin all about the Cictercian monks' bookcase - true enough!

A little further up the road and down a steep, narrow, muddy path were the Horseshoe Falls. Thomas Telford constructed this beautiful weir between 1804-1808 as a way of capturing the wild river Dee and taming it to become the Llangollen Canal. 6 million litres of water per day pour down the feeder channel to become the main canal a mile or so downstream.

Still blessed with the weather we headed south-west through a small part of Snowdonia to Lake Vyrnwy. The top of the mountains were rather cool and misty but the autumn foliage just spectacular. Mum took probably nearly a hundred photos (no I am not exaggerating, Mum!) out of the car window until it got too cool to have the window open. Once we came down to the Lake, however, the fog cleared and sun shone and we were amazed at the colourful beauty. Martin and I are glad to have seen Lake Vyrnwy in two seasons. You may recall we visited here in December last year and really enjoyed the food at the Hotel and the magnificent view across the lake to the turreted straining tower. Once again we were lucky enough to secure a prime window seat. Mum and I had classic Welsh tarts (Caerphilly cheese & leek), Martin had a roast and James a panini. As if we weren't full enough we finished off the meal with chocolate puddings and custard. I suspect it was more to do with not wanting to leave than any necessity for more food!

But, the end was nigh and we left this enchanting part of Wales and set the GPS for home. But we just can't seem to drive in a straight line so after passing through Welshpool and over the English-Welsh border we drove through Shrewsbury to Ironbridge, just south of Telford. It is here that the Industrial Revolution is said to have begun with the construction in 1779 of the world's first cast iron bridge over a River Severn gorge. Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Telford had nothing to do with it.

So after a little while there we really did get in the car and set the GPS for home. We had a fabulous time and we're just so glad Mum could be here to share it with us. The bruises may have faded but the memories will live on!

Photos are here.