Location: Llangollen, North wales
Event: Hike and paddle over Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Surprising factoid: It didn’t rain...again! (and it was Wales)
Report by Julie Raworth
Photos and videos by various members
The Plot
Talk of paddling Pontcysllte Aquaduct in North Wales had been thrown around by various members over the last couple of years but finally Paul, Phil, Lynne and team finally brought it to fruition. By this time members had gained some virgin camping experience and when the callout was made almost 30 people signed up for it…this was going to be an epic adventure!!
Phil did a marvellous job of doing a recce a few months earlier to ensure we had the best pubs for food and drink, best coffee shops on route, and maybe some idea of where to hike, paddle and camp.
Phil discovered Whatsapp polls so plans evolved, site pitches, tents and boats were booked, lifts arranged and from Wednesday 24th August 2024 NCC gradually made their way to North Wales. Ted and Phil took the slow road up on Wednesday, with seemingly rather a few stops for coffee and cake, this pattern didn’t stop when they were on the paddle either! They were joined by Kieron and Ena who managed to catch the last of the rain as they pitched up!
A little poem from Paul
In the voice of David Attenborough
“Slowly, but surely, members of Newbury Canoe Club migrate Borth for the weekend.
These curious humans, who are normally spotted just going up and down the K&A canal, once in a while venture out to find new water.
Heading up to North Wales, they can be seen stopping several times to relieve themselves and take on fuel at service stations and cafes.
Once at their destination they can be found floating on the Llangollen canal or hydrating themselves in any number of drinking houses. Apparently numbers are increasing and we may be seeing NCC paddlers all over the country”
Thursday
Mini Glastonbury starting to take form with Ted’s pyramid tent set up next to the chill out beach, away from the VW party zone!
Much to some members low expectations (David) Dorothy the 52yr old VW T2 successfully made it in good time to finally have her first rendevouz with Rusty the T5. Time will tell whether this blind date was a success but they did well in co-hosting the evening social gatherings.
Pub meal no2 was had where we found Richard who proudly owned the fact he didn’t do camping and had a room at the pub. We were still unclear if Nick was even coming and if he needed to ‘rent-a-tent’. Even after a voice note sent on route we were still none the wiser but he eventually appeared at breakfast.
Friday
3 crazy people arose at stupid o’clock in Newbury to get to site in time for brekkie and join the hike (see Part 2 https://www.newburycanoeclub.co.uk/post/ncc-migrate-to-north-wales-part-2-hiking).
Whilst the rest were on the hike I stayed back and attempted to meet the group for lunch….3 hours later and a tour of North Wales thanks to What3words and Google, and being tempted to join the Vespa festival instead, I finally got back to site for Rachel, Steve, Andy and Helen to arrive.
Views that the rest missed out on! The infamous, unlocatable cafe!
I cheekily left Rebecca with the challenge of putting up her borrowed tent but Paul came to the rescue. Were you 1 peg short…or was it 2 Caroline?
Feet were cooled down in the river before pub meal no3. A few of us hung back to enjoy the outside ambience of the river that ran alongside the site and get to know each other better.
It was a slightly sleepy gathering after the hike and knowing there was still a 10 mile paddle to do the next day, a fairly early night was had.
Saturday
All up and seemingly raring to go with lots of hearty protein cooked by Paul and Lynne.
With Rob and Jacqui heading in from Llangollen (she was forgiven for staying in a hotel as it was her birthday), the full crew for the Llangollen canal paddle were finally gathered.
(See Part 3 https://www.newburycanoeclub.co.uk/post/ncc-migrate-to-north-wales-part-3-paddling-the-pontcysyllte-aqueduct)
Post-paddle
People seemed exhilarated and buzzing from the whole day, or maybe just relieved that they had actually made it all the way and survived! Lynne and Phil did their usual brilliant job of organising the barbeque as we all gathered to enjoy our last few vino’s and beers while Paul entertained us with some juggling!
Sunday
Steadily the camp broke down, people leaving in dribs and drabs (the same crazy people leaving early to go and race the Tewksbury Hasler). Airbeds unaired, tents descended, and left over food issued out as the final few gathered in the sunshine for a final pub meal.
All becoming rather sleepy after a Sunday roast they all made it back safely to unload all the boats at the club. I headed back to site to sleep off my roast and spend a few more days in Dorothy. I finally managed to have my Brie and Bacon panini at the café on the canal (only 3 days late) and having built the confidence now to paddle solo around the whole of lake Bala.
Phil’s early recce was worth it as it was perfect site. A huge thanks to all those who organised the trip, who baked cakes, who lent out camping gear and generally brought their good spirits to have made a great fun and accomplished weekend.
What's next then?