magpie patrick

Thank you for articulating what I was thinking Mike, but couldn't quite put into words. Add to those considerations, I don't think GJ wide boats were 14 foot, more like 12 foot 6 inches IIRC so they could pass to one side of the opening, as this narrow boat is doing

I know nothing more than is in the photograph! If this were a painting I'd say it was stylised, but it isn't and it's not...

As per the title - this picture has been posted in a group on Facebook and no-one, including me, seems to know where it is. Lift bridge, bascule type, similar to Llangollen bridges but wide beam with a butty under the bridge and the motor ahead in the distance. My guess would be GU but I can't think where, the only lift bridge I know of on the GU is on the Chess above Batchworth side lock.

My initial thoughts was Chester, but I can't say why. Possibly the length between the city walls and the first lock up towards Christleton (Hoole Lane?) - the house may have gone, given how old the city centre is a lot has changed by the canal. That's only a hunch - but it gives everyone else something to disprove

I'm guessing the answer is "no" but I'm replying to bump it up. The tall house on the right must be reasonably distinctive Any clues on either the paints or the material it's painted on? There is a signature on the left but I can't read it

A bit more, now I don't ache quite so much! First the canoe - Three seater Tango inflatable that Emily bought about five years ago to use with her two boys, now 12 and 14. Never been completely satisfactory due to a tendency for one or more bladder to deflate very slowly. This is now fixed and for the first time Em had a full day out without worrying about the canoe staying up. Second, the trip - the canal is about and hour and a quarter drive from Frome, I suggested it for a proper test cruise because (i) it's much much quieter than the Kennet and Avon and (ii) I'd never boated on the

Some may recall my efforts to fix an inflatable canoe, belonging to my friend Emily. Today Tango carried Lady Em and myself along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal from the M5 viaduct at Huntworth to Bridgwater Dock and back. Mission accomplished, leaks fixed and an impressive inaugural voyage. I ache in places I didn't know existed... A few photos below

"about 57 feet" Above that you get into the shape of the stern, the shape of the bow, lifting the fenders, how much stress you can live with, and whether there is a total eclipse in Namibia next Tuesday (Okay, the last bit is an exageration) If you already have a narrow boat 58-60 foot don't trade it in, but if you are buying one for the express purpose of cruising the whole system then personally I wouldn't push the limits

Everybody else needs foriegn holidays so we can have the canals to ourselves!