WALES

I've just been watching a programme on TV where Gareth Edwards, the rugby player, and his wife are relaxing on the canals on the Welsh English border. They were on this boat being towed by a horse. We were walking this canal 3 days ago. As you can see there is the possibility of self isolating in an area like this.

A winding hole allows canal barges to turn round, using nothing but the force of the wind, hence the name.

On Wednesday morning we drove to the outskirts of Chirk, about 10 miles, then walked into Wales over the path by the aqueduct. No problem with social distancing at all. HFF to you all, and stay safe.

In the background it is possible to see the Chirk aqueduct designed by civil engineer Thomas Telford. It was completed in 1801, and forms part of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site. I am standing in Denbighshire Wales and looking towards Shropshire in England.

HFF everyone. Crossing the English/Welsh border can be via the Chirk Aqueduct, which carries the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union canal 70 feet above the beautiful Ceiriog Valley. The aqueduct which has 10 circular masonry arches, was built between 1796 and 1801 by William Jessop and Thomas Telford.

These are garden escapees growing under the hedge at the entrance to Caffi Wylfa in Chirk. We quite often stop to have a (very nice) coffee here when we are out walking. The garden next door to the cafe is covered in these little beauties.

Kashmir Goats roam freely and wildly on the Great Orme and were introduced to this area by Lord Mostyn. This sculpture by Graham High shows a goat on a spiral of rock balancing in position with the ease they are accustomed to. Its shaggy coat and long horns are detailed with fur and features fully shown. It stands outside the visitor centre and was unveiled in 2002 at the opening of the refurbished Great Orme Visitor Centre next to Summit Tram Station. Shrouded in fog the building in the background is the Summit Complex and consists of a Café/Restaurant, a boxing themed bar based on the famous Randolph Turpin and gift shop for the hordes of tourists.

Since the beginning of May some Covid restrictions have been lifted and it is now possible to travel from England to Wales and vice versa. Here a pleasure boat is navigating the very narrow Chirk aqueduct over the Ceiriog Valley from England to Wales. According to the welcome signs at both ends of the canal, it is no man's land. At the side of the aqueduct is the viaduct which carries rail traffic in both directions. The aqueduct was designed by civil engineer Thomas Telford. The foundation stone was laid on 17 June 1796 and it was completed in 1801. It forms part of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site. The aqueduct consists of ten arches, each with a span of 40 feet (12 m). The water level is 65 feet (20 m) above the ground and 70 feet (21 m) above the River Ceiriog. The railway viaduct at Chirk which was erected in 1846-8 and rebuilt in 1858 was the work of the Scottish engineer Henry Robertson. The 100 feet high stone structure was built for the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway and has ten spans with round arches between. Courtesy of: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirk_Aqueduct

Since the beginning of May some Covid restrictions have been lifted and it is now possible to travel from England to Wales and vice versa. This small town is about 10 mile from where we live, and we have missed walking along the canal here.

The railway viaduct at Chirk which was erected in 1846-8 and rebuilt in 1858 was the work of the Scottish engineer Henry Robertson. The 100 feet high stone structure was built for the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway and has ten spans with round arches. Three further arches at either end of the viaduct replace former timber spans and are dated 1858-9. The viaduct stands some 30 feet above the adjoining aqueduct. This photo is taken at the winding hole just before the entrance to the Chirk tunnel which lies on the Llangollen Canal, immediately northwards of the Chirk Aqueduct. It is 421 metres (460 yd) long and has a complete towpath inside. The tunnel portals and the canal basin are collectively a Grade II* listed structures. The PiP shows what the entrance to the tunnel looks like. We have walked through the tunnel quite a few times but not recently. The tow path can be very muddy, and we need to buy a lighter torch.

Photo taken from inside the Chirk Tunnel looking towards the aqueduct. The tunnel is designed for a single standard narrowboat, so passing is not possible. On June 8th 2016 the Chirk canal tunnel was closed off as an historic murder probe continued. No body was found here.

Photo taken from inside the Chirk Tunnel looking towards the aqueduct. The tunnel lies on the Llangollen Canal, immediately northwards of the Chirk Aqueduct. It is 421 metres (460 yd) long and has a complete towpath inside. The tunnel is designed for a single standard narrowboat, so passing is not possible, and is straight enough to be able to see if a boat is already inside the tunnel. Boats are required to show a light. The towpath is dark, can be a bit uneven and very wet, so I'm not really happy about the strength of the fence. The tunnel was constructed from 1794–1802.

Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country house near Welshpool, in Powys, Wales. The castle is known for its formal gardens which are exceptional. The present castle was built in the 13th century. The property is under the care of the National Trust. In the centre of the oval lawn is a statue called 'Fame'. It is made of lead and is mounted on a stone base. The statue depicts the winged female figure of Fame borne by Pegasus. I have never seen this entrance so devoid of people. We were the first to check in for the opening morning slot, and reaped the benefits.

Sculptor: Andrew Carpenter (c.1676-1737). Year of creation:1705 This example was probably cast using Montgomeryshire lead from the Llangynog mines owned by the Powis family. Its original position at Powis was as the centrepiece of a fountain in the Baroque water gardens at the foot of the garden terraces which had been largely completed by 1705. The water garden was demolished between 1801 and 1809, and the statue was then moved and re- sited into the courtyard. The sculpture was restored in 1987.