Llangollen, Wales

My husband Brian and I stopped in Llangollen to visit the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Before we ventured out onto the stone and iron structure, we stopped at the Trevor Basin Visitor Centre. We learned a little history and chatted with the friendly staff, who seemed happy that tourists would actually stop on a rainy October day.

We tried to learn how to pronounce the name, but alas, Welsh is a difficult language to wrap our American tongues around. 

On our way out to the aqueduct, we were grateful for the English translation on the lower half of this placard. What an amazing feat to have built this structure over 200 years ago!

Brian led the way across, equipped with his black umbrella. 

Originally used as a towpath to pull boats across with horses, the walkway runs alongside the Llangollen Canal, which the aqueduct carries. 

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct crosses the River Dee. As you can see, it is quite high - at least 126 feet above the river.

Brian got well ahead of me and was rewarded with the bonus of a narrow boat making its way across the aqueduct. No need for horses these days; canal boats are equipped with modern motors.

I felt sort of odd and disoriented while strolling in the rain on a narrow walkway alongside a canal full of water so high above the river. A little rattled, my mind seemed to have trouble simultaneously accepting all the various watery forms.

When the canal boat passed me, it seemed to lend a bit of normalcy and moral support for my confused brain.

After making the 1,000-feet walk across, it was time to head back. It's a good thing that neither of us are afraid of heights. Once we left the aqueduct, we continued our stroll along the Llangollen Canal on our way to the 'car park.' A final view, complete with a moored narrow boat and a pair of mallard ducks. What a delightfully unusual experience!