Gilwern

Well another meal last night in the Royal Oak, unfortunately they were fresh out of Faggots and they looked first class. This morning we were away just after 9am. planning to stop somewhere like Govilon. However that changed when Diana saw the loo tank light flash red, it went back to green but not good, so tomorrow morning we should be getting a pumpout.
CRT in these parts have a good stop plank racks, I am surprised they are not used elsewhere.

We managed to see a bit of wildlife today, first a black Mink and then a grass snake swimming along in the canal.

Soon we were at Ashford Tunnel and Diana managed to get a good photo of the roof dipping.

just after half way through after passing the single ventilation shaft.

Unfortunately we were unable to read the information plaque above the exit portal.

After leaving the tunnel and looking to the distance  towpath side there is rather a splendid building.

Another thing spotted out in the fields were these water main things, probably vents due to the pipe running up and down.

As we entered the tunnel there was a boat ahead of us almost ready to leave the far end, we slowly caught him up and for the final bit to the top of Llangynidr Locks we were traveling at tickover. At the locks there was one boat in the lock and we were the third in line waiting at the top. The boat ahead of us said we could pass them as they wanted to learn how the locks worked, (great I thought) however the Volockie showed them as he worked the boat ahead of them through, so we were third again. Thankfully they stopped for lunch below lock 4 and we were able to pass them. There were only 3 Volockies on the 5 locks by the time we went down and one was taking care of the boat ahead of us, so I ended up setting ahead while we waited.

As I said on the way up, these locks have to be left empty with the bottom gates open, I wonder how much water that wastes in 24 hours.

Just beside the towpath I spotted this boundary marker from when the canal was owned by the railway.

  Beyond the locks is another large property called Gliffaes Hotel I think it may be out of my price range. This as actually the other side of the river Usk         

Brecon Park Marina have a café on their premises, it even has a ferry to bring you over from the towpath.

This is probably the most photographed tree on the canal, I wonder how old it is?

I love seeing this sort of thing along the canal, makes me wonder about the people who do it.

Almost back at Gilwern they have the smartest picknick area I have come across, we went a short way passed in and after filling with water moored on the 2 day visitor moorings for the night, these were very convenient for the toilets in the service block, quite important when your loo tank indicator is on the point of turning red.

Today’s Journey

14 miles with 5 locks in 9½ hours