I’ve just been down a tax wormhole this morning, so it’s nice to take a break and go for a wander. Today’s Wednesday Wander was selected at random – I opened IPhoto and went to the first place I saw, which is the old canal in Llangollen, North Wales.
I’ve written about Llangollen before – it’s a place dear to my heart. My mother’s family is from that part of Wales and I remember childhood holidays spent in the are, as well as more recent trips to the small town hidden among mountains. It’s an ancient place, with the River Dee racing through, small streets of houses and the ruined castle and abbey nearby.
I’ve walked the canal several times, though these photos were taken around this time last year, when we followed it to its source. Completed in the 19th century as part of the great British canal network, it follows the wild river waters for a way, the calm still reflections a contrast to the rushing white foam below, then continues on to the Pontycsyllte aqueduct, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We walked the other way, to the weir where the river and canal meet, a huge oak tree guarding the conjunction of waters.
The day was cold, but the winter colours and mountains made for a beautiful walk. There’s a peace I find there like no other, so it seems an appropriate choice for today’s wander, when the myriad intricacies of even a simple tax invoice have made for a not-so-peaceful morning. Thanks for coming with me 🙂
Helen Glynn Jones 
I love these great pictures 🙂
Thank you, Simon 🙂
Totally a pleasure 🙂
What gorgeous photos!
Thanks, Esther – even on such a cold day, it was a lovely walk 🙂
Looks lovely. There’s actually a river see in Aberdeen too!
Oh yes, I’ve heard that. Apparently Dee is a derivative of the old word for Goddess, so they were sacred rivers at one time (perhaps they still are) 🙂
A beautiful journey, Helen!
Thanks Ali – it is truly one of my favourite places 🙂
I love reading your thoughts as you take us on your wanderings! x
Thanks Louise – I really enjoy wandering. Apparently the number one song in the UK the week I was born was ‘I Was Born Under A Wandering Star’ I’m starting to feel that was quite appropriate! 🙂
You’ve travelled so widely, as evidenced by your photos. I sometimes look wistfully at them, and wish I lived in Europe, closer to the action. Then again, the grass is always greener …
The grass is always greener, that’s for sure! The number of people I meet here who say ‘You were living in Australia? Why are you here?’ It’s all a matter of perspective 🙂 That being said, I do feel very fortunate to have travelled as much as I have done…