Day 40
Canal in the sky
Ruth and David had kindly offered to let us stay for a few more nights, but we were keen to get going and the day time forecast was pretty good, so we decided to get back on the road. David helped us plan a new route, less steep hills and a few of Ruth's favourite roads. Though busier at times than we are used too it was a great route. We were heading for the Horseshoe Pass above Ruthin, and for about 10 miles it was a steady climb, until finally we arrived at the top and the welcome site of the Ponderosa Café. Refuelled by their signature dish of pie, chips and gravy we took our reward of a stunning downhill, so worth the effort of the climb. At the bottom we joined a canal, miles of stunning waterway on smooth tarmac. Komoot and Sustrans combined to scare the bejesus out of us. The route took us over Thomas Telford's aqueduct at Pontcysyllte. 336 yards long, 12 feet wide, 126 feet high, with a 5’ deep canal , a tiny fence and narrow path, pushing our fully loaded bikes was a test of nerves, especially when we had to reverse for a pushchair! Yikes!! That was then followed by a trip through a pitch dark tunnel.
We soon were ready to stop and Tom spotted a beautifully hidden wildcamp by the canal. Tent up we settled in for the night.
