Chirk Bank - the place of three river crossings

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 20:00

We move to an "unlimited mooring" for a few days

The moorings at the Poachers Pocket by Gledrid Bridge (19W) are 48H. We wanted to stop in the area for a couple of days for "sightseeing" and a trip back to Oxfordshire for John. So it was time to move on.

We had to wait for our Tesco delivery which was due by noon. The drivers are usually very good and phone ahead if asked. The one today rang to say he was in Oswestry and to confirm our location. He arrived just before noon!

A lady from one of the narrowboats moored behind us asked us how we managed to get a Tesco delivery. We explained the need for an accessible place with a post code and extra instructions about being on the canal on a narrowboat!

For any of our readers who also want to know, have a look at Sue's explanation (narrowboat No Problem)  - clickety click.

We passed these notices and wondered what fishermen do - obey the electricity company, who warn "Cast with Care", or BW, who state, "No fishing". Confused? We are!

Fishing notices

There are three crossings of the valley of the River Ceiriog at Chirk. Did you know that? The famous ones are the canal aquaduct and the railway viaduct ("Vy not a Chicken?" - ed.) but the third less known one is the A5. The old A5 used to go alongside Chirk Bank and into Chirk. Thankfully Chirk is now much quieter, thanks to the new A5.

Looking back at the A5 viaduct over the houses

Across the valley Chirk is just visible, St Mary's Parish Church and the Cadbury Schweppes (sorry, Kraft ) factory beyond the station belching out smoke.

Chirk, St Marys behind trees and anyone for hot chocolate?

Below Chirk Bank there is some new housing. I am not sure I would like to live below a canal embankment. The Ceiriog River is below and the canal above. The canal itself is narrow and curves around the hillside giving the area the name Chirk Bank.

New houses below Chirk Bank

We moored before Monks Bridge (21W) on the ("unlimited" - 14D max) moorings there. Mooring rings are thoughtfully provided both before and after the bridge. Thanks to our TV satellite finder we knew that this was the only spot along Chirk Bank that we would get a TV signal!

Moored before Monks Bridge

The Bridge Inn is down below near the riverside. It is the last pub in England as the England/Wales border is half way across Chirk Aqueduct. I can imagine that in the height of summer there are quite a few narrowboats moored on this stretch, if only for lunch at the pubs!

Chirk itself is off to the right over the river valley but there are buses from Monks Bridge or a walk via the towpath and Chirk Aqueduct.

The River Ceiriog and pub roof from Chirk Aqueduct

Chirk Aqueduct and Tunnel are delights to come!

Llangollen Canal, Gledrid Bridge (19W) to Monks Bridge (21W)

0 hours 20 minutes, 0.35 miles, 0 locks