Saturday the 5th November started out cold, we had to top up our water tanks and empty our waste water, trying to duck in behind the Motorhome to get out of the icy wind. Once we are inside the camper and ready to roll we turn the heater on full bore and it dries the windscreen and warms the whole van, by morning tea time it is toasty warm. As you may have guessed Paul and I are quite interested in anything involving boats, so it should not surprise you that today we were heading to a Boathouse. Our destination was near the village of Chirk, just on the border of Wales and England. We chose this destination because of its proximity to the Llangollen Canal and the two big Aqueducts that are on the Canal system. We arrived again just before lunch, so had a quick scout around the marina looking at the Canal boats packed in like sardines.
Chirk Marina, Canal Boats galore.
After lunch we hiked off to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which was a good 4 kms away. It was a lovely walk, starting with a paddock crossing, a few stiles then a clamber around a fence and a short hike down a slippery slope to the towpath by the Canal. Walking along the Canal was beautiful, the overhanging trees spread a carpet of golden and russet leaves over the water, in places nearly rendering the Canal a part of the towpath.
Autumn leaves on the Canal.
We passed a few people doing the same walk, and I can understand why it is so popular. We made it to the Aqueduct and luckily we were able to witness a Canal boat traversing it. What an amazing feat of engineering and labour, it was built from 1795 to 1805 with 18 stone pillars being up to 127ft high to the top of the trough, the iron trough is 5 ft 3in deep and 1007 ft long, being the longest in Great Britain. We walked along the towpath being buffeted by the strong cold wind from the North. Over the other side was the Trevor basin, a turning point and marina, this also was packed with Canal Boats, mainly hire ones that are tied up for the winter.
Trying to keep warm crossing the Aqueduct toward theTrevor Basin.
Trevor Basin packed with mainly hire Canal boats.
The Pontycysllte Aqueduct.
We started on our troop back to the camper, it was about then that we decided to stay another night at the pub stop if we could. So whilst enjoying a few bevies at the pub later in the evening we asked if it was ok to stay another night, we got the thumbs up. In the pub we ended up talking to a couple of blokes who live on the Canal boats, one a long term live aboard the other a weekender, it was very interesting listening to their different perspectives of the live aboard life.
Sunday 6th of November we awoke to a slight drizzle, but we still had plans to visit the other Aqueduct at Chirk, so we set off after morning tea for the 3 km hike. Again walking alongside the Canal was beautiful, I am just totally in awe of the autumn colour. Paul commented that I was using the word russet a lot, but that is what comes to mind when describing the colours, it is not red it is russet, a slightly rusty red. Anyway we hiked along until we got to the Chirk Canal Tunnel, this tunnel is 421 mtrs long and when you are in the middle it is pretty dark, after yesterday's experience with the Whitehouse tunnel at 175 mtrs we had decided to bring a torch. The towpath goes past the Chirk Basin and then out onto the Chirk Aqueduct, this Aqueduct is made totally of stone, it is not as long as the Pontcysllte Aqueduct, at 400 ft long with 10 stone pillars at 70 ft high. Beside the Aqueduct there is a railway Viaduct that is also of stone but built 30 ft higher to show rails superiority. The two structures side by side are very impressive.
Chirk tunnel.
Aqueduct and Viaduct at Chirk.
The Chirk Aqueduct and Viaduct.
A Canal boat traversing the Aqueduct.
We managed to fit in a quick look around Chirk and some of its quaint buildings, then had a picnic lunch by the Canal before heading back to home base. Sunday night we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at the pub, Hunters Chicken yum oh, a few wines and we were happy campers, so back to the camper for a cold night. The next morning it was 2 degrees so we decided to try out our heater. The motorhome comes with fully ducted gas heating, we can switch it on from the bed, way to easy. We started it up, it took a while to get going but once up and running it sounded like a small jet engine, within an hour we were up to a toasty 15 degrees. Me thinks it may get a lot more use yet.
As yet we have not seen a Castle or Stately home, we have seen them from the outside and we have seen them in ruins, but not on the inside and lived in. Monday was our opportunity to see how the other half lived. We decided to go to Powis/Powys Castle near the Village of Welshpool on the Welsh borders. It only took an hour to get there, so we had plenty of time for a walk around the village before lunch. As per usual there were a selection of old pubs and Elizabethan architecture and corny markets full of junk. But it was a bustling village more full of locals than tourists, which was nice to see.
After lunch we headed off on the 1 mile walk to the Castle through the deer park and grounds. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk, the sun was shining and and it had warmed up a bit apart from the chilly breeze.
Powis Castle from the courtyard.
Entering into hallowed turf.
The Gardens at Powis Castle.
Entry to the Castle was half price, this is because they had shut some of the Castle due to it being winter. We headed into the Castle courtyard I suppose it is called, Paul clicking away on his camera. We got to the Castle doors and unfortunately we're told that we could not take photos of the interior, so sorry everyone no pictures. It was absolutely magnificent, Powis Castle has been in the same family for many generations, and what you see is pretty much untouched since the early 1900's. The grand entrance and staircase have wooden balustrades richly carved with pineapples, and the ceiling and walls above the staircase have been painted with Michaelangelo style scenes depicting members of the family. These painted ceilings also continue into the reception areas and state rooms. Portraits of the ancestors line every wall, they are beautifully rendered snapshots of a bygone time. The furniture and furnishings are opulent and superbly crafted, silks and velvets hang from four poster beds and windows, wall sized tapestries add warmth and spectacle.
Collections of all types are displayed, Roman Emperor busts, gold work from India, stuffed birds, big cat rugs and a library to drool over, the family acquired the library owned by Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte's missus. All of this was done for prestige, the whole purpose of the state rooms and reception rooms was to show any visitors how wealthy the family were. Pomp and circumstance, wealth and privilege.
It was interesting seeing how the other half lived, but I am not interested in seeing any more stately homes. It brings home the truth of the have's and have not's, rubs it in your face actually. I came away feeling quite small and unworthy of the grander things, this must stem from my peasant/working background. They should have more examples of what the other halves lives were like, how they lived, and worked.
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