Offas Dyke Day 12 Bronygarth to Llangollen

Day 12 pictures
The overnight heat settled and the new day was cooler and overcast.
There was even some early rain revealed by drops on the car's windscreen.
After the usual breakfast, now mostly limited to cereal, muesli, coffee and toast, we were ferried out to the start point at Bronygarth on the B4500.
Unfortunately, this meant a climb right off the blocks, initially up a tar road, then a rough track and then into the open fields.
As I said, it was overcast and the first few minutes we were threatened with rain, which thankfully failed to materialise. It did however raise the humidity.

Chirk Castle

It was at this point, about 15 minutes after parting company from Sue that I realised I had left my hallmark fluorescent Frillneck hat back at the hotel. A quick call to our driver ensured it was retrieved, however I able to preserve my sunburn free dome with the help of Margaret's head gear, a grey version of mine.
Once our in the open, Chirk Castle revealed itself, as quite a magnificent structure, large, impressive and in remarkably good shape.
Our descent lead us to the Shropshire Union Canal, which we had come across at Montgomery and later just prior to Llanymynech, and this we followed for some distance.
This is a navigable canal and had a steady stream of canal boats cruising along with quite a number tied up along the way.
This canal goes all the way to Llangollen, today's destination, however we do not follow it all the way.

Pontycysyllte Aqueduct

After some two kilometres we come to the most magnificent structure, the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct, which spans the River Dee, carrying the canal. The aqueduct is about 30 metres above the river level, has the canal on one side and then the footpath and a single railing.
It is quite spooky and with water flowing along the canal, albeit slowly, there is quite an impression that the aqueduct is moving.
Once over, there is a large basin where the canal boats have to do a 90 degree turn to follow the contour and it was fun to see just how well the various pilots manage the process.
We follow the canal a bit further, however of course it contours around and we, of course climb!!
We climb quite steadily through a thick forest, meet us with a group of giggly school girls who are doing their Duke's Award, and undertaking a navigation exercise. They are slightly lost, however their supervisors, following not that far behind think the girls will sort it out.
Finally at about 250 metres height we break out into the open and have great views of the Vale of Llangollen and Castell Dinas Bran, that overlooks the town.

Castell Dinas Bran

It is here we have lunch before our descent into Llangollen.
The town is thriving and on an early Sunday there are people everywhere with the steam train running and horse drawn canal boat rides, there is much to do.
We finds our accommodation, have a coffee and do very little.