Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Having collected a few canal-based photos and recently perusing through them, I found a few that I'd like to share with you.

To me canals are often overlooked from a canoeing point of view, giving way to the more majestic and grand open water of the Lakes or the the Scottish Lochs. But they do have their own uniqueness. They're definitely not all cluttered with shopping trolleys and traffic cones. But the best bit is we're nearly all within easy reach of one. So if you haven't yet paddled on a canal, get on and give one a try, I can heartily recommend it!

Good point Nige, although I prefer rivers canals should not be ignored as a trip can be as long or as short as you wish and quite relaxing.

The Shroppey


Be warned tho' of the lesser known Giant Trent and Mersey Swan

Fortunatly for us Mom swan wasn't about,

places to picnic are abundant,




cheers
Tim

Some more photos. This time featuring the Erewash Canal that links the River Trent at with Langley Mill in Derbyshire 12 miles away and passes threw 11 locks .

Some great photos there guys.
Bill, love the winter shots. Recognise the lock in the conjested lock photo as the the next one up from Meadowford yeah?

Tim. Is that the original "Woolies Colander Fire-box" you're using?

(28-06-09 10:01 AM)Nige Wrote: [ -> ]Some great photos there guys.
Bill, love the winter shots. Recognise the lock in the conjested lock photo as the the next one up from Meadowford yeah?

Tim. Is that the original "Woolies Colander Fire-box" you're using?

Yeh, Your right Nige, its called " Wood Lock", as you say one up from Oakmeadowford Lock, pic was from Lloyd's (Why Ay Man) Visit.
Regards Bill

(28-06-09 10:01 AM)Nige Wrote: [ -> ]Tim. Is that the original "Woolies Colander Fire-box" you're using?

Yeah sort of, it was named the DBC, (dog bowl colinder) and worked a treat, so much so that colinders and dog bowls were purchased in there droves, but sadly after a few months of heavy use it died a death at Llyn Gwynnant, I then bought a Yukon stove which should last considerably longer. In memory of my DBC here is a piccie of it in its prime...


I digress from the thread so here is the Shrop less monster ....


and one of what seems to be a new craze lock jammin

Cheers
Tim

Few shots from a failed trip down the Weaver last June, never blogged it....













Cheers
Nix

Agreed - canals make a nice relaxing day out with good scenery and history if you're lucky. here's a few shots on four northern canals:

Canal Head at Tewitfield on the Lancaster canal - about as far north as you can get on the canal navigation system in England. I think I was playing around with photoshop to produce a painting effect.



Here's something you don't see every day - also on the Lancaster canal



Canals are all about relaxation and easy paddling as far as I'm concerned. Even Siran enjoyed the short Ripon Canal on a sunny August day.



Canal head on the Pocklington canal is cut off from the rest of the navigation by derelict locks and reeds. A portage along the towpath brings you to this short stretch at the canal head.



Even where they go through towns they can often be very scenic such has here at Skipton on the Leeds Liverpool canal



And you can get the chance to practice your limbo paddling under the low bridges:

Following Luke on the Peak Forest Canal.

That does look nice Fancy doing that sometime, I bet with the autumn colours it is stunning now.

Unlike inner-city canals, the Brecon-Monmouth Canal is away from road noise and out in the countryside for much of its length.
(Note. The canal runs from Brecon to Pontypool.)

Talybont Lime Kilns



Part of the Llangynidr three locks.



Some bends are tight, some are lazy and some just wiggle.



The kilns at Llangattock and Talybont burnt locally quarried limestone, partly for industry and partly for agriculture. But the kilns virtually went out, when spreading lime powder on the land, was replaced with spreading crushed lime/powdered limestone. There are other lime kilns along its length but the aforementioned, were the main ones. The introduction of better roads and the rail companies buying-up the canal networks, did little to help movement of freight & goods by inland waters.

TGB

Some excellent photos there Dafydd.

What a lovely looking canal.

Thanks for sharing.