Tonic required. Send in your photos of what is nice on the waterways now.

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 1982

 

When The Bollard Is Taller Than You.  Trent Junction

 

 

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2013

 

Dearne and Dove Canal  Swinton Bottom Lock and the Top Lock

 

 

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

Engine Arm Aqueduct and Toll island BCN New Main Line  Compare #4177 (2015)

Edited November 21, 2020 by PeterScott
unmerge a merge

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

 

M5 and Stewart Aqueduct BCN Main Line  Compare #4184 (2015)

 

[Ray T 1182]

Sunset at Stockton this afternoon.

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

 

Cape Arm BCN Main Line Compare #4176 (2015) #1113 (2018) and for t'other side of that guillotine gate  #2037 (2000)

Edited November 21, 2020 by PeterScott

[Mike Todd 578]

1 hour ago, PeterScott said:

On this day in 2003

Engine Arm Aqueduct and Toll island BCN New Main Line  Compare #4177 (2015)

Run - the bus is going without you!

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2004

 

Great Haywood Junction  Compare #3852 (1995) #527 (2001) #3586 (2012) #699 #2712 (2013) #3918 (2014) #3580 (2015) #3989 (2016) #1945 (2019)

More twentyfirsts of November. Try clicking on the three vertical dots (menu) and then selecting the slideshow option. And So To Bed

[John Liley 210]

35 minutes ago, PeterScott said:

On this day in 2004

 

Great Haywood Junction  Compare #3852 (1995) #527 (2001) #3586 (2012) #699 #2712 (2013) #3918 (2014) #3580 (2015) #3989 (2016) #1945 (2019)

More twentyfirsts of November. Try clicking on the three vertical dots (menu) and then selecting the slideshow option. And So To Bed

Whil sorting out the photo of the canalside distillery on the C de Garonne I came across further photos of the Sirdar, the last working berrichon  (vessel from the Canal de Berry), the nearest thing in France to a narrow boat. Here she is working through the staircase locks at Le Guetin, on her way with a cargo of cement to a factory at Digoin. The horse and mule that towed her had to go by local road while a tractor pulled the vessel along the aqueduct over the Allier at the top

Just now, John Liley said:

Whil sorting out the photo of the canalside distillery on the C de Garonne I came across further photos of the Sirdar, the last working berrichon  (vessel from the Canal de Berry), the nearest thing in France to a narrow boat. Here she is working through the staircase locks at Le Guetin, on her way with a cargo of cement to a factory at Digoin. The horse and mule that towed her had to go by local road while a tractor pulled the vessel along the aqueduct over the Allier at the top

 

[Tam & Di 495]

16 minutes ago, John Liley said:

Whil sorting out the photo of the canalside distillery on the C de Garonne I came across further photos of the Sirdar, the last working berrichon  (vessel from the Canal de Berry), the nearest thing in France to a narrow boat.

What year was that John? We got fuel and water from one working as a bunker ship on the Seine in Paris in the mid-late 90s but that doesn't really count.

 

Tam

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

We were just finishing going down the Wolverhampton 21 and wondered why there was a television on the slide. Not being particulary interested in people kicking balls about it took some thought to recall that the Rugby Union World Cup Final had just about started. We listened on Radio Five and  hence to the classic commentary "Jonny Wilkinson Kicks For Glory ... " (last minute of extra time - scores level at 17-17)

 

And at Aldersley Junction:

 

[John Liley 210]

12 hours ago, Tam & Di said:

What year was that John? We got fuel and water from one working as a bunker ship on the Seine in Paris in the mid-late 90s but that doesn't really count.

 

Tam

So long ago, I hesitate to reveal it. 1968. I had just been made editor of Motor Boat & Yachting and was invited to the area by Peter Zivy, who was struggling to keep the Canal du Nivernais from being abandoned. He lent me one of his six cruisers for two weeks and, being intent on seeing as much as we could, we did the full circuit from the top of the Nivernais to the Seine and back.

 

I wrote four articles on the trip, which Peter was able to wave in front of the government minister concerned as evidence of the enthusiasm for canals in the UK -Peter's firm was the only one in the whole of France hiring boats at that time. The concept for French people was a strange one and, anyway, they had to pass exams before taking out a boat. Visitors, on the other hand, could travel under whatever rules were in force in their home countries and, fortunately, in Britain there wern't any. Hence Peter's interest in a British clientele..

 

A couple more horse-bpat photos herewith, both in the vicinity of Le Guetin, near Nevers.

[matty40s 4023]

Late yesterday....

[ditchcrawler 2045]

1 hour ago, PeterScott said:

On this day in 2003

We were just finishing going down the Wolverhampton 21 and wondered why there was a television on the slide. Not being particulary interested in people kicking balls about it took some thought to recall that the Rugby Union World Cup Final had just about started. We listened on Radio Five and  hence to the classic commentary "Jonny Wilkinson Kicks For Glory ... " (last minute of extra time - scores level at 17-17)

 

And at Aldersley Junction:

 

 

Was the test match on

Edited November 22, 2020 by ditchcrawler

[Tam & Di 495]

1 hour ago, John Liley said:

 

Thanks John. That looks to be quite a turn for the 'animules' to pull the boat around - can't see any sign of a strapping post either.

 

Tam

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2004

 

Great Haywood Junction  Compare #3852 (1995) #527 (2001) #4283 (2004) #3586 (2012) #699 #2712 (2013) #3918 (2014) #3580 (2015) #3989 (2016) #1945 (2019)

 

 

a bit of a blockage ...

 

 

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2004

 

 

Barlaston T&M  

 

Compare #3365 (2009, 2020)

#3504 (2012)

#3680 (2019)

 

[Dav and Pen 351]

3 hours ago, Tam & Di said:

 

Thanks John. That looks to be quite a turn for the 'animules' to pull the boat around - can't see any sign of a strapping post either.

 

Tam

They look like fairly small mules as well. This is the turn leading to the aqueduct. 

[Dav and Pen 351]

That’s still a scary staircase as the rope is far to long to give any control and there’s no bollards or hooks in the wall.

[Ray T 1182]

Hatton locks this afternoon.

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

 

Wolverhampton Lock 16 (of the 21) BCN Main Line and lower down the flight

 

 

Edited November 22, 2020 by PeterScott
extra pic

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2003

 

S+W. More twentyseconds of November. Try clicking on the three vertical dots (menu) and then selecting the slideshow option. And So To Bed

[John Liley 210]

5 hours ago, Dav and Pen said:

That’s still a scary staircase as the rope is far to long to give any control and there’s no bollards or hooks in the wall.

In summer, and at weekends, there is usually a bundle of onlookers at Le Guetin. If British people stare at you and you stare back they generally look embarrassed. In France they will wave: one of those cultural differences I find rather charming. They are just about to do so here, but I had to flick the ropes off - never easy in such deep locks as these - so I didn't have time for more photos.

[The Bearwood Boster 153]

1 hour ago, PeterScott said:

On this day in 2003

 

Wolverhampton Lock 16 (of the 21) BCN Main Line and lower down the flight

 

 

Am I in the minority of enjoying the Wolvo flight ? We've been up & down sooo many times over the years(we used to moor in Oldbury),so did them many times.Had the early morning lack of water problems, but frequently had CRT help.Really enjoyed these locks due to the changes in scenery.

[PeterScott 340]

On this day in 2011

 

Winthorpe turning into Great Haywood  marina  @howardang and Compare #3034 (2008) Farndon moored this day on Tixall Wide (S+W)

 

Edited November 23, 2020 by PeterScott
extra pic