Another wonderful travelogue, Ralph, with the added adventure of the broken gear cable. It’s one of those things that make you curse at the time but also makes for great stories after the fact. Love the photos, especially the bnw ones of Nantwich.
I'm originally from Cheshire (the bit that adjoins Manchester) but I currently live 225 away - so shots of my home county always appeal. Lovely photos. I'd forgotten how picturesque Nantwich is.
What a trip! Your enthusiasm about what you encounter, the way you handle the 'minor setbacks' along the way, your beautiful photos of plants, landscapes, boats, the architecture of Nantwich..I genuinely admire your spirit, Ralph! One set of photos in particular blew my mind: the ones of the evening mood, like 'Luna gazing down upon Venus' belt' and most of all the abstract one in the 'sublime evening light' row of images.
Ah, ok. I’ve just had a quick look. The Rideau looks like a sizeable shipping canal, where it makes full sense for the locks to be manned. The photo used by Wikipedia shows an impressive staircase lock system at Colonel By Valley.
To be fair, not all locks over here are manual, self-operated ones. There are bigger ones, particularly shipping sized, that are manned. A few of the big lockson our trip to Lincoln last year were manned, particularly where the Trent & Mersey Canal joins the tidal River Trent. They were big enough to get six or eight boats in at one time.
Rideau was built as a military canal to quickly move troops and material between Montreal and Kingston without riding past American guns on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence, thankfully it never had to be used for that purpose.
Intriguing stuff. I imagine this is of particular interest to you. Curiosity got the better of me snd a checked to se if there's ever been a canal built for a similar purpose over here and, sure enough, there is. I wasn't aware of the Royal Military Canal that ran between Seabrook and Hastings. It was built as part of the defences against Napoleon. Well, they say you learn something every day..
Well told and beautifully illustrated. I do love a bit of well crafted armchair travel! The timbered houses are lovely. I always think of how imaginative the craftsmen were who built these b+w wonders! Not happening today, even if we do somehow remember the right way to do it. It of course helps when they are perfectly and expertly maintained. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Many thanks for your kind words,Radim. To me,all trees are sacred. Some seem to make their presence known more than others, maybe. I do know that I love photographing them 😊
I'm really enjoying following your journey on the water Ralph - seeing that part of the country from a canal boat gives such a different perspective and you see so much of nature that otherwise would be hidden.
I'm also very impressed at your mechanics skills and can just imagine everyone steering well clear as you completed the task of fixing the cable!😂 I've never been to Nantwich and didn't realise it had so much Tudor architecture - it reminds me of the black and white villages of Herefordshire. Such beautiful buildings and photos of course!
You are telling the story of your adventures so well, I think all of this will make a great little book or zine for you, along with your beautiful photos, as a personal memento of your odyssey.
Many thanks for your kind words, Lin, they're very much appreciated. Even being well inside the boat and too far away to observe proceedings, Irene could tell by my abuse of the English language that it wasn't always going along swimmingly with the cable😏😁. As I mentioned to to Deborah, I kind of like the idea of something like a book, but the thought of putting one together is rather scary..😬😄Thanks again.
Ralph, this third chapter (because even more I'm thinking 'book') was such a pleasure to voyage through ... your eye for detail turns each lock, mishap and sunset into something quietly cinematic. I loved how the rhythm of this four counties odyssey comes through in both the hard graft and the stillness ... especially those moments when the light or an ancient tree stopped you in your tracks.
Haha! The gear‑cable saga had me wincing with 'oh no!' and laughing in equal measure, told with that dry humour you channel so well. And your photographs throughout this post continue to be a gift to your readers ... they make the whole voyage feel so vividly alive, most especially that sublime sunset. What a feast for the heart and senses! I'm already looking forward to part four! 🙏💖📸
Daunting, yes! But oh my goodness Ralph there’s a spark of interest, isn’t there? I can feel it! You don’t have to make a decision this week, this year. Just imagine how proud you’re going to feel to become more than a name on the family tree. A gift for the ancestors, those passed and those to come. Do it! 🙏💖📖✒️📸
Another wonderful travelogue, Ralph, with the added adventure of the broken gear cable. It’s one of those things that make you curse at the time but also makes for great stories after the fact. Love the photos, especially the bnw ones of Nantwich.
Thank you very much, Mark, much appreciated. Yes, the little cable xrisis did add a little colour to proceedings! 😏😄
A great travelogue. I have walked the Audlem locks many times. I particularly liked your b&w images of Nantwich, a beautiful town.
Thank you, Mark, much appreciated.
I'm originally from Cheshire (the bit that adjoins Manchester) but I currently live 225 away - so shots of my home county always appeal. Lovely photos. I'd forgotten how picturesque Nantwich is.
Thanks, Paul, much appreciated🙂
What a trip! Your enthusiasm about what you encounter, the way you handle the 'minor setbacks' along the way, your beautiful photos of plants, landscapes, boats, the architecture of Nantwich..I genuinely admire your spirit, Ralph! One set of photos in particular blew my mind: the ones of the evening mood, like 'Luna gazing down upon Venus' belt' and most of all the abstract one in the 'sublime evening light' row of images.
Such wonderful words, Vincent, thank you so much😊 Ikm glad you're enjoying the journey, too😃
Such an amazing trip, Ralph! I really love your B&W architecture images. I’m always fascinated by half-timber buildings.
Many thanks, Todd, I appreciate that☺️
I would be trigger happy in Nantwich also! You captured the town beautifully! A question: are the locks still manually operated?
Many thanks, Alex, much appreciated. Yes, all gates heaved and sluice paddles hand-cranked by us boaters. It's all part of the fun. Honest! 😏😁
Oh wow! We have one manually operated canal here in Ontario. The Rideau Canal but it’s manned by trained lock keepers from Parks Canada.
Ah, ok. I’ve just had a quick look. The Rideau looks like a sizeable shipping canal, where it makes full sense for the locks to be manned. The photo used by Wikipedia shows an impressive staircase lock system at Colonel By Valley.
To be fair, not all locks over here are manual, self-operated ones. There are bigger ones, particularly shipping sized, that are manned. A few of the big lockson our trip to Lincoln last year were manned, particularly where the Trent & Mersey Canal joins the tidal River Trent. They were big enough to get six or eight boats in at one time.
Rideau was built as a military canal to quickly move troops and material between Montreal and Kingston without riding past American guns on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence, thankfully it never had to be used for that purpose.
Intriguing stuff. I imagine this is of particular interest to you. Curiosity got the better of me snd a checked to se if there's ever been a canal built for a similar purpose over here and, sure enough, there is. I wasn't aware of the Royal Military Canal that ran between Seabrook and Hastings. It was built as part of the defences against Napoleon. Well, they say you learn something every day..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Military_Canal
Very interesting Ralph and those ancient buildings are beautiful .
Thank you very much, Shital. There are a few towns in the country that have similar architecture. It is, indeed, lovely.
Well told and beautifully illustrated. I do love a bit of well crafted armchair travel! The timbered houses are lovely. I always think of how imaginative the craftsmen were who built these b+w wonders! Not happening today, even if we do somehow remember the right way to do it. It of course helps when they are perfectly and expertly maintained. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Many thanks, Søren, I appreciate it! Can you imagine modern day 'health and safety' getting their teeth into those old building techniques? Lol
A beautiful country, a wonderful adventure. I love your photos, especially the old, almost sacred-looking trees.
Many thanks for your kind words,Radim. To me,all trees are sacred. Some seem to make their presence known more than others, maybe. I do know that I love photographing them 😊
I'm really enjoying following your journey on the water Ralph - seeing that part of the country from a canal boat gives such a different perspective and you see so much of nature that otherwise would be hidden.
I'm also very impressed at your mechanics skills and can just imagine everyone steering well clear as you completed the task of fixing the cable!😂 I've never been to Nantwich and didn't realise it had so much Tudor architecture - it reminds me of the black and white villages of Herefordshire. Such beautiful buildings and photos of course!
You are telling the story of your adventures so well, I think all of this will make a great little book or zine for you, along with your beautiful photos, as a personal memento of your odyssey.
Many thanks for your kind words, Lin, they're very much appreciated. Even being well inside the boat and too far away to observe proceedings, Irene could tell by my abuse of the English language that it wasn't always going along swimmingly with the cable😏😁. As I mentioned to to Deborah, I kind of like the idea of something like a book, but the thought of putting one together is rather scary..😬😄Thanks again.
What an adventure! And love the shapes you found “in town”.
Many thanks, KB!😊
Ralph, this third chapter (because even more I'm thinking 'book') was such a pleasure to voyage through ... your eye for detail turns each lock, mishap and sunset into something quietly cinematic. I loved how the rhythm of this four counties odyssey comes through in both the hard graft and the stillness ... especially those moments when the light or an ancient tree stopped you in your tracks.
Haha! The gear‑cable saga had me wincing with 'oh no!' and laughing in equal measure, told with that dry humour you channel so well. And your photographs throughout this post continue to be a gift to your readers ... they make the whole voyage feel so vividly alive, most especially that sublime sunset. What a feast for the heart and senses! I'm already looking forward to part four! 🙏💖📸
Thank you so much for your very kind words, Deborah🤍🙏
Mm, the thought of a book is kind of appealing, but also decidedly daunting🤔🫢😬🥴.
Daunting, yes! But oh my goodness Ralph there’s a spark of interest, isn’t there? I can feel it! You don’t have to make a decision this week, this year. Just imagine how proud you’re going to feel to become more than a name on the family tree. A gift for the ancestors, those passed and those to come. Do it! 🙏💖📖✒️📸
Ah, you're too kind! 🫠😊nWell, who knows.... one day, maybe...😏
Beltin' read, Ralph.
Cheers, Jim, much appreciated!
this is an enjoyable read!
Many thanks, perfectlight!