Llangollen - Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Erddig Estate, Wrexham

After a yummy home cooked breakfast Mike, Cathy, Charles and I set off to see the longest 1000 foot Pontcysyllte Aqueduct created for canal boats to cross the valley. It was in a Welsh coal mining area which was incredibly picturesque even on a cold and cloudy day with sometimes the peep of the sun. We walked down to the river to see the huge aqueduct from below where we could gaze up at the mighty tall brick towers. At the top we saw the canal boats all moored for the winter as it is a tourist destination during summer for people to hire a narrow boat and go cruising. Cathy, Mike and I walked across and back over the aqueduct and the river was roaring below as they have

had so much rain recently. A great piece of Victorian engineering to visit.

We then drove to Erddig Estate which was a favourite National Trust place that Cathy and Charles wanted us to see as the volunteers had created fabulous Christmas displays in the rooms in the manor house. The Yorke family lived there for many generations and they are famous for their kind care and respect for their staff of servants. The family wrote many poems about their servants which has made it famous. Each room had beautiful displays which must have taken hours to create. We walked about the gardens and green houses, the stables and the garages which had an amazing display of old cars. Erddig is famous as the family did not throw out anything so the rooms and out buildings are full of hundreds of artefacts and collections. The property was in a dilapidated state when the National

Trust took over and it has taken years and vast amounts of money to restore it, but not change too much so that visitors get an accurate image of life back in the 1700, 1800 and 1900’s.

The dining room displays lots of silver mice on the table and floor which are to entertain school children when they visit the estate. The shop was wonderful…so many tempting things to buy, but I am so conscious of the weight of our bags…darn!! We enjoyed a nice afternoon tea in the cafe!! More cakes and scones…at least we are walking a lot!