Right to the very beginning.

We are back at the Poacher pub now after a very soggy cruise from Llangollen. The surrounding hills were shrouded in mist today, giving a totally different feel to the area. Also different (as suspected) was the feel of the canal. Cruising downstream is a joy! Add to that no holiday boats (it must be turnaround day) and today was a much smoother if damper experience.
We called in at Chirk Marina for coal and the prices are still falling. I got 75kg for £25.50. Three years ago we were paying £12 for 20kg. We will enjoy it while it lasts.
Yesterday we walked up to Horshoe Falls and the very start of the Llangollen Canal where the feed water is taken from the river Dee. The water is crystal clear here and some of the houses are very well placed to appreciate the beauty of the scene and, indeed, to add to it.

Apart from the horse drawn trip boat no other craft is allowed up here apart from these

A mile and three quarters later and we were at the head of the canal which, admittedly, isn't much to look at.

However, just beyond here are the falls. Actually, it's a J shaped weir created by Thomas Telford to feed the canal, and very pretty it is too.

Don't fall in!

On the way back we diverted to the Chainbridge Hotel, so named because of this

A bit wobbly - and so is the bridge!

It would have been rude to photograph the bridge without availing ourselves of their hospitality so....