Saturday, 30 March 2013

Bridges

When I was diagnosed last Sept with cancer of the liver and bowels I went off for a few weeks visiting places I always wanted to see today its bridge bridge time  I will come back to name the bridges


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Chirk Aqueduct and Chirk Railway Viaduct from England

Chirk Viaduct and Aqueduct

Although somewhat overshadowed by Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the beautifully proportioned Chirk Aqueduct ranks as a major work in its own right. Built between 1796 and 1801 at a cost of 20,898 and comprising of ten arched piers each with a span of 40 feet, the aqueduct carries the canal 70 feet above the River Ceiriog for a distance of 710 feet. Outwardly similar to the traditional clay-lined aqueducts, an entirely new concept was used at Chirk. The bed of the trough is formed by a series of cast iron plates, bolted together, to form a continuous watertight trough, with the side walls built of locally quarried stone. The canal is, of course, the picturesque Llangollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Running alongside the aqueduct is Chirk Viaduct, which carries the Chester to Shrewsbury railway line. Erected between 1846-48 and rebuilt in 1858, it was the work of Scottish engineer Henry Robertson. It is 100 feet high and has 10 spans with round arches between pedimented abutments. Three further arches at either end of the viaduct replace former timber spans and are dated 1858-9. The viaduct stands some 30 feet above the aqueduct.
It is possible to view the aqueduct and viaduct from the B4500 Chirk to Glyn Ceiriog Road, and to walk along a pathway beside the canal as it is carried by the aqueduct.



2 barges  heading for chirk bank.


standing under thE aqueduct on the short cut ti pontcysyllte  village

 This area in York back in 1960 was the entrance to the steam museum now they have a new museum


 As I go along I will name the bridges including the not so famous + location











 Pont-y-pant railway bridge a 470  built by two brothers in 1878.
Llanrwst bridge

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Mandarin duck




the photo was taken in January 2013 at the owl centre
The male has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity.

Overview

Latin name

Aix galericulata

Family

Where to see them

Main population is in south, central and eastern England, but small numbers occur in Wales, Northern England and Scotland. Likes lakes with plenty of overhanging trees and bushes.

When to see them

All year round

What they eat

Insects, vegetation and seeds.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-7,000 birds--

colourful birds

http://www.owlcentre.com

 golden pheasant
 Mandarin duck
Blue eared pheasant all of the wildlife at the  centre are rare breeds one of the best days I have spent out  this past year.

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Night fall of snow



 7.30 this morning after a few hours of snow fall.

3.30

 4.30 our neighbour across the main road
 7.30 our neighbour across the main road
`our back yard

Friday, 22 March 2013

Owl

 Meet the owls from Cardiff Castle .




on the way to cardiff this bus was parked in Llandeilo Carmarthen.