Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Bridge 53

Canal bridges suffer through the ravages of time, general decay and the not-so-loving attention of boats that got the line wrong. Some of those on the Llangollen have been patched up by, among other measures, a coating of concrete or similar cement-based concoction all over the interior of the arch. It's about as enthralling as a 1960's tower block. So what a pleasant surprise to see what one artisan has done with Bridge 53.


There seems to be no constructional link between the wavy edge and the curved pattern in the coating through the arch – just one person making a statement.

Back through the bridge is something even more impressive – it's Lyneal wharf, the centre for the Lyneal Trust, which offers canal and boating holidays for people with disabilities. NB Shropshire Lass and NB Shropshire Lad, two of their boats, were both moored there today. So, in quick succession, two examples of people making a difference in situations where others might give up or simply not see the need.

Two characters from yesterday…


When asked they said they were looking for St George's mushrooms. I thought perhaps they might be the "magic" variety. Not so. The Wikipedia article says they are a renowned delicacy that appear after St George's Day.

Other sights from today: The wood anenomes were out in force…


The blossom was out in force at the entrance to Ellesmere tunnel…


The ramblers were out in force…


You see people doing various creative things on the towpath, but this was the first time I'd seen anyone working in stone…


We stopped for the night outside the Jack Mytton pub, recommended for all sorts of things. The bad news – it was shut today. The good news – this meant there was no one around at all to mind as I got out my accordion and practised all those new tunes to my heart's content.

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