Detour to North Wales

If heading back from Hebden Bridge to Milton Keynes not many people, I expect, would deviate via North Wales! Whilst a bit odd it did work fairly well as once past Manchester it was pretty plain sailing. When we towed a caravan and needed fuel we always headed out solo from the site to fill up. With the motorhome it’s a bit on the large size to wander off site just for fuel so we usually plan a fuel stop en route. We also try and find a Tesco because they seem to design most of their larger stations the same so we are assured of easy access as was the case at Chester. Job done and we were back on the road heading for Lady Margaret’s Park at Chirk not far over the border into Wales. It was 2005 since we were last here. When in the village I was surprised to be directed past the turning with the War Memorial and to take the next right. This route was OK except for the sharp left turn over the railway. 

We arrived at Lady Margaret’s Park by early afternoon and found the site pretty full, it was the first weekend of the school holidays although interesting very few children! We had twin goals in selecting a suitable pitch. Firstly hardstanding and secondly one with a clear view for our satellite dish. The first requirement was relatively easy to find but the satellite issue was more difficult. Finally we found a pitch opposite the toilet block which met both requirements and was near to facilities to boot, what was not to like! I should have realised that the location of the pitch being in a direct line of sight from the pitches behind to the toilet block was likely to be used as a short cut, and it was! Probably the reason it was still empty when we arrived. 

On the Saturday it was quite a dull day with a few bright periods but it was muggy. Not sure why us, as most of the country was basking in Meditterainian sunshine with temperatures to match. We didn’t venture far. We walked down to the Castle Gates. I hadn’t realised previously that you can get inside the grounds of the Castle but there is a small access road before you get to the gates. It gave me the opportunity to take some photographs. We continued down to the railway just to check on times which happened to be fairly infrequent! Next the platform was a sign promoting the Glyn Valley Tramway which originally ran between Chirk and Glyn Ceiriog. Not sure what prospect there is in terms of restoration? 

Our last full day and the weather was better. We walked down to the Llangollen Canal at Chirk Aqueduct. We could have gone back to the station and walked through the Tunnel but we didn’t fancy that!! Quite a lot going on near to the Aqueduct with narrow boats coming through the tunnel as well as a lot of canoeists. Conveniently moored near to the Aqueduct was the “Sweetie Boat” selling drinks and refreshments as well as ice cream. Apparently they travel the canals in their boat staying for a few weeks in each place. At least the Chirk Aqueduct is not scary to walk across unlike the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct!!! We walked beyond the Aqueduct to the first bridge in the hope of finding a pub. There was one signed some way off the canal so we turned and made our way back to the campsite. 

During the evening we experienced a quite strange thing. The next caravan along, some distance from us, had a Swing Ball. We noticed that it has been moved and several people peering at the ground and poking it with a stick. We thought nothing more of it until later in the evening when I went out to check around. The silver screen we have on the front of our windscreen was covered with what must have been hundreds, if not thousands of flying ants obviously disturbed by the stick poking!!! I did my best to wash them off with some success. Fortunately by the morning they had all but gone.