Gongoozelling.
@ColRay IKB also build the first bridge over the River Tamar to connect Devon with Cornwall in 1859.
It was called The Royal Albert Bridge and carried the Great Western Railway traffic.
The bridge ran from Plymouth (in Devon) to Saltash (in Cornwall).
This route became so busy after the Second World War that it was necessary to build a “road traffic only” bridge next to it in July 1959 and this was opened in April 1962 - over 100 years after IKB’s death.
Between 1999 and 2001 The Tamer Bridge was widened to make it that world’s first suspension bridge to be widened from three lanes to five lanes.
Until the new Tamar Bridge was opened, IKB’s Royal Albert Bridge continued to take all the rail traffic, but all the road traffic from the A38 still relied on various ferries to cross over the River Tamar into Cornwall.
Bob.
It was called The Royal Albert Bridge and carried the Great Western Railway traffic.
The bridge ran from Plymouth (in Devon) to Saltash (in Cornwall).
This route became so busy after the Second World War that it was necessary to build a “road traffic only” bridge next to it in July 1959 and this was opened in April 1962 - over 100 years after IKB’s death.
Between 1999 and 2001 The Tamer Bridge was widened to make it that world’s first suspension bridge to be widened from three lanes to five lanes.
Until the new Tamar Bridge was opened, IKB’s Royal Albert Bridge continued to take all the rail traffic, but all the road traffic from the A38 still relied on various ferries to cross over the River Tamar into Cornwall.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by ColRay and DWBrinkman
Hi Bob a railway not water I see Col
@DWBrinkman You are right!
My wife and I were “born and bred” in Bath and the Box Railway Tunnel stands as a very well known local monument to the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
It was the longest tunnel in the world when it was built.
Brunel was responsible for many things in the West Country to do with his beloved Great Western Railway.
Known as the GWR (Gods Wonderful Railway), I was fortunate to see it in action every day as a boy - although it was absorbed into British Railways fairly early in my childhood years!
Brunel also designed and built the three largest steam ships in the world (at that time) too:-
SS Great Western, SS Great Briton, SS Great Eastern,
Brunel’s railways ( and others) would eventually lead to the demise of the canal system as it took all their trade away being much faster and cheaper to use.
I am unaware of IKB doing any tunnel work on the canal system but his civil engineering prowess led to the worlds first “under water tunnel” - The Thames Tunnel (that nearly killed him!
His Clifton Suspension Bridge near Bristol is another Brunel masterpiece although it was not completed until after his death.
Bob.
My wife and I were “born and bred” in Bath and the Box Railway Tunnel stands as a very well known local monument to the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
It was the longest tunnel in the world when it was built.
Brunel was responsible for many things in the West Country to do with his beloved Great Western Railway.
Known as the GWR (Gods Wonderful Railway), I was fortunate to see it in action every day as a boy - although it was absorbed into British Railways fairly early in my childhood years!
Brunel also designed and built the three largest steam ships in the world (at that time) too:-
SS Great Western, SS Great Briton, SS Great Eastern,
Brunel’s railways ( and others) would eventually lead to the demise of the canal system as it took all their trade away being much faster and cheaper to use.
I am unaware of IKB doing any tunnel work on the canal system but his civil engineering prowess led to the worlds first “under water tunnel” - The Thames Tunnel (that nearly killed him!
His Clifton Suspension Bridge near Bristol is another Brunel masterpiece although it was not completed until after his death.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by DWBrinkman and GaryLC
@ColRay
Isn't that the "Box Tunnel" near Bath, England, which is a railway tunnel? Where it is claimed that the sun only shines through at sunrise on April 9th, the birthday of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Isn't that the "Box Tunnel" near Bath, England, which is a railway tunnel? Where it is claimed that the sun only shines through at sunrise on April 9th, the birthday of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
So far my collection resembles "The Island of Misfit Toys". I've picked up several boats that are old builds and have been neglected. I'm giving them the TLC they need, hoping to bring them back to their former glory. Once I get enough practice/ experience I intend to take on a full build.
Liked by zooma
@ColRay I will ask my son about the name of the canal tunnel as he lives locally, but when we went in the tunnel the spot lights on the boat were switched-off after some time and we were sat in total darkness.
A regular tour trick I believe, but as far as I know it is a really long tunnel that may not be straight.
Bob.
A regular tour trick I believe, but as far as I know it is a really long tunnel that may not be straight.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Bob is that the Isambard Brunel tunnel ? the one that the light at one end can only be seen on one day of each year , or are we talking about another tunnel Col
@ColRay I was living in Exmouth in 1975 Col, my wife and I moved to Devon from Bath when we got married in 1971.
Years later, our youngest son now lives in Northampton and when we have visited, the local canal at Stoke Bruerne is a nice place to go and it also has bars, restaurants and a small canal museum there too….as well as canal boat trips into the long dark tunnel!
It is also popular with narrow boaters who run various business's from their boats as they have a good amount to visitors to sell their goods and services to.
You may find that it has changed quite a lot since you were there in 1975……….
Bob.
Years later, our youngest son now lives in Northampton and when we have visited, the local canal at Stoke Bruerne is a nice place to go and it also has bars, restaurants and a small canal museum there too….as well as canal boat trips into the long dark tunnel!
It is also popular with narrow boaters who run various business's from their boats as they have a good amount to visitors to sell their goods and services to.
You may find that it has changed quite a lot since you were there in 1975……….
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by ColRay
Hi Bob it would have been about1975 Col
@ColRay When narrowboats are lifted out of the water they take great care to position (and reposition) the slings to make sure that the boat is balanced correctly.
50 years of so ago, there may not have been the same level of interest in preserving the old working narrowboats as there is now, but I suspect it would have been in the crane operators interest to lift them out just as carefully because if the hull were to snap, it would take much more work to find and lift the broken hull parts and its contents out of the water.
When the canals were the motorways of industrial Britain, there were thousands of them that were no longer needed after the railways were built and took away their bussiness.
The canals themselves became redundant too, and many were closed or left to decay.
It is only in recent years that some canals have been opened again for leisure use and the interest in building new and restoring old narrow boats has happened.
The canals network is slowly expanding and many waterways have been re-opened and others are being worked-on to get them opened again.
Any old canal barge that is not rotted beyond repair or already scrapped has a chance of being saved if it is repairable.
Did you get a canal ride down the long tunnel when you were at Stoke Brewen?
Bob.
50 years of so ago, there may not have been the same level of interest in preserving the old working narrowboats as there is now, but I suspect it would have been in the crane operators interest to lift them out just as carefully because if the hull were to snap, it would take much more work to find and lift the broken hull parts and its contents out of the water.
When the canals were the motorways of industrial Britain, there were thousands of them that were no longer needed after the railways were built and took away their bussiness.
The canals themselves became redundant too, and many were closed or left to decay.
It is only in recent years that some canals have been opened again for leisure use and the interest in building new and restoring old narrow boats has happened.
The canals network is slowly expanding and many waterways have been re-opened and others are being worked-on to get them opened again.
Any old canal barge that is not rotted beyond repair or already scrapped has a chance of being saved if it is repairable.
Did you get a canal ride down the long tunnel when you were at Stoke Brewen?
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Bob must be over 50 years ago I visited a village in the UK i't name was something like Stoke Brewen anyway it was near a cannel and just on the edge of the village was a field full of old long boats , I recall being told many will never float again because they were lifted out of the wet stuff the backbone of the boat was broken. This may be total bullshit Col
@ColRay You are right about it needing some paint.
Some of the narrowboats that we see are in pristine condition, but some are in dire need of some restoration - not just paint!
It is sad to note that some people buy or rent an old narrowboat with a permanent mooring because they cannot find anywhere else to live, or afford to rent a house or a flat, and so they become a cheap place to live.
Sadly, some of the worst looking narrowboats on the canals are being permanently lived-in and they are not getting the maintenance that they need.
Maybe this is because the people that are living in them cannot afford to look after them.
Bob.
Some of the narrowboats that we see are in pristine condition, but some are in dire need of some restoration - not just paint!
It is sad to note that some people buy or rent an old narrowboat with a permanent mooring because they cannot find anywhere else to live, or afford to rent a house or a flat, and so they become a cheap place to live.
Sadly, some of the worst looking narrowboats on the canals are being permanently lived-in and they are not getting the maintenance that they need.
Maybe this is because the people that are living in them cannot afford to look after them.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by SimpleSailor
Bob it could do with a fresh coat of paint Col
We saw this unusual narrowboat on the Leeds to Liverpool canal yesterday .
It has an open cockpit with a steering wheel.
Most narrowboats are steered with a tiller arm from an open rear transom position.
Bob.
It has an open cockpit with a steering wheel.
Most narrowboats are steered with a tiller arm from an open rear transom position.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by EdW and Rookysailor and
What are the Canal Mooring Rules. A basic overview.
Permanent Cruisers are only allowed to stay on any mooring for a maximum of 2 weeks, then they have to move away - I think for a distance of at least 2 miles.
Residential moorings come in two types. Some will pay the canal authorities to moor on an allocated canal side position permanently.
Private moorings are as the title suggests. The mooring fee is paid privately to the owner of the canal bank who rents the space to the boat owner for as long as they agree.
This private mooring may have some additional benefits as the rent may include an area of the canal side that is big enough to grow vegetables or fruit and can someone’s include being able to build a greenhouse or a lock-up shed, and include a mains power and clean water supply….….and may even include a connection to a mains drainage to allow the onboard toilet to be emptied as required!
Marina. Some canal boat owners prefer to keep their boats moored at a marina that will usually include a mains power connection and a tap for clean water along with other facilities that could include a service workshop for hull and motor repairs etc where the boat and engine can be maintained or upgraded etc.
A chandlers shop will often be located on a marina to provide all the boating supplies that may be needed, and is often accompanied by a store that sells food and drink etc to keep the boats larder well stocked.
These Marinas are also often used by Constant Cruisers who prefer to moor their boats up over the winter period or for a period of time when the crew are away from the boat for any reason.
Some boat owners will use all the above as it suits them and their circumstance at the time.
Bob.
Permanent Cruisers are only allowed to stay on any mooring for a maximum of 2 weeks, then they have to move away - I think for a distance of at least 2 miles.
Residential moorings come in two types. Some will pay the canal authorities to moor on an allocated canal side position permanently.
Private moorings are as the title suggests. The mooring fee is paid privately to the owner of the canal bank who rents the space to the boat owner for as long as they agree.
This private mooring may have some additional benefits as the rent may include an area of the canal side that is big enough to grow vegetables or fruit and can someone’s include being able to build a greenhouse or a lock-up shed, and include a mains power and clean water supply….….and may even include a connection to a mains drainage to allow the onboard toilet to be emptied as required!
Marina. Some canal boat owners prefer to keep their boats moored at a marina that will usually include a mains power connection and a tap for clean water along with other facilities that could include a service workshop for hull and motor repairs etc where the boat and engine can be maintained or upgraded etc.
A chandlers shop will often be located on a marina to provide all the boating supplies that may be needed, and is often accompanied by a store that sells food and drink etc to keep the boats larder well stocked.
These Marinas are also often used by Constant Cruisers who prefer to moor their boats up over the winter period or for a period of time when the crew are away from the boat for any reason.
Some boat owners will use all the above as it suits them and their circumstance at the time.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by SimpleSailor
Speed Limit 4mph.
I have been able to find out that the speed limit for narrow boats (and others) that travel on the British Canal System is 4mph maximum.
This answers the question regarding the sort of speeds these boats travel at as they slowly work their way around the canal system.
Even 4mph can be annoying for some of the boats that are moored-up as the wake (even at this speed) can cause them to rock, and this is not so good if it is either your home or your place of work.......or even when just trying to relax in the evening when watching the TV.
Bob.
I have been able to find out that the speed limit for narrow boats (and others) that travel on the British Canal System is 4mph maximum.
This answers the question regarding the sort of speeds these boats travel at as they slowly work their way around the canal system.
Even 4mph can be annoying for some of the boats that are moored-up as the wake (even at this speed) can cause them to rock, and this is not so good if it is either your home or your place of work.......or even when just trying to relax in the evening when watching the TV.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by chugalone100
Canal Licence.
Hi Dave B,
All of the canal boats have to have a licence of some sort to be able to stay on the canal waters.
Some have a residential type of licence and pay for a permanent mooring and those with this type of licence are often lived in and are moored-up in designated residential areas of the canal.
The other sort or licence is for those that are “constant cruisers” and they are only allowed to stay in one place for a limited amount of time before they have to move on to another location.
We did notice that the Cruzcombo narrow boat had moved to a new mooring yesterday and that most of the narrow boats that we saw last week had “moved on” and were no longer to be seen on this stretch of the canal.
I don’t know when you plan to take your river cruise on the Rhine, but we are all hoping for some rain to fall before too much longer, and I am aware that the Rhine has very low water levels at the moment.
Everywhere is dry in Europe at the moment and the farmers especially need some rain to water the crops………and has been mentioned elsewhere - we need to learn to save more of ithe water when it does rain.
We tend to put in quite a few miles of walking along the tow paths we we go gongoozeling , so it is quite good exercise out in the fresh air, and we usually feel quite tired by the time we come home again.
Enjoy your river cruise.
Bob.
Hi Dave B,
All of the canal boats have to have a licence of some sort to be able to stay on the canal waters.
Some have a residential type of licence and pay for a permanent mooring and those with this type of licence are often lived in and are moored-up in designated residential areas of the canal.
The other sort or licence is for those that are “constant cruisers” and they are only allowed to stay in one place for a limited amount of time before they have to move on to another location.
We did notice that the Cruzcombo narrow boat had moved to a new mooring yesterday and that most of the narrow boats that we saw last week had “moved on” and were no longer to be seen on this stretch of the canal.
I don’t know when you plan to take your river cruise on the Rhine, but we are all hoping for some rain to fall before too much longer, and I am aware that the Rhine has very low water levels at the moment.
Everywhere is dry in Europe at the moment and the farmers especially need some rain to water the crops………and has been mentioned elsewhere - we need to learn to save more of ithe water when it does rain.
We tend to put in quite a few miles of walking along the tow paths we we go gongoozeling , so it is quite good exercise out in the fresh air, and we usually feel quite tired by the time we come home again.
Enjoy your river cruise.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by EdW and chugalone100 and
@zooma Cruzcombo, Cruzcompo .... it appears that the gentleman pictured on both logos will toast to either. Prost!!
Dave B
PS While I understand that "Gongoozling" is the leisurely hobby of standing on a bank or bridge and watching boats, locks, and everyday life unfold along a canal. I hope to participate in the opposite activity in October, from the deck of a riverboat, I don't think there is a proper slang for that, but I will call it "Land Watching". I just hope Europe gets some rain, so my "Rhine River Cruise" doesn't morph into a bus tour .....
Dave B
PS While I understand that "Gongoozling" is the leisurely hobby of standing on a bank or bridge and watching boats, locks, and everyday life unfold along a canal. I hope to participate in the opposite activity in October, from the deck of a riverboat, I don't think there is a proper slang for that, but I will call it "Land Watching". I just hope Europe gets some rain, so my "Rhine River Cruise" doesn't morph into a bus tour .....
So far my collection resembles "The Island of Misfit Toys". I've picked up several boats that are old builds and have been neglected. I'm giving them the TLC they need, hoping to bring them back to their former glory. Once I get enough practice/ experience I intend to take on a full build.
Liked by SimpleSailor and chugalone100 and
Canal-side Public Houses and Countryside.
A second gongoozelling trip along the tow path of The Leeds to Liverpool Canal at Burscough today reminded me that there are other things to admire and enjoy when not necessarily facing towards the canal water!
Most canals pass through some beautiful open countryside that in itself is worth a look, and some pass though city centres allowing them to be viewed from a direction that would often never be seen.
Burscough is a small town surrounded by beautiful countryside that can be easily viewed when walking along the tow path,
Gongoozeling can be a thirsty occupation - especially on a hot summers day, and fortunately most canals have some public houses alongside them that can help to quench a well earned thirst!
The wharf in Burscough has been transformed into a collection of mostly modern sellers of food and alcohol, and whilst this may be of interest (especially in the evenings), it was not the most appealing series of alcohol sellers that attracted me the most.
But a short walk along the tow path (in either direction) reveals some more traditional types of public houses that may well have been there back in the canals “hey-day” when they would have provided some rest-bite for the canal boat operators and their live aboard families.
Three that I “viewed” today are pictured here - purely to illustrate the variety of canal side pubs!
The first pictured is The Farmers Arms that is a lovely pub that has a “swing bridge” and a nice restaurant with some tables along side the canal back where I sat and enjoyed a quite drink in the sun earlier.
The second shown here is The Slipway that also has a swing bridge. Both these canal side pubs have their own slipway to give access to the canal for small boat users.
The Ship is a larger pub that is alongside the canal but does not have a waterside location - although it does run closely alongside the canal and has a large car park that seemed very busy (for a Monday afternoon!).
There was also a lot of intersting water-born birds to be seen too, enough to keep the “twitchers” happy as well.
I should have taken a decent camera with me so I could capture some more intersting “things” to share here, but on a hot day most of us cant be bothered to carry a heavy camera and telephoto lens, so these iPhon snap shots are all I have to illustrate today’s gongoozeling .
Bob.
A second gongoozelling trip along the tow path of The Leeds to Liverpool Canal at Burscough today reminded me that there are other things to admire and enjoy when not necessarily facing towards the canal water!
Most canals pass through some beautiful open countryside that in itself is worth a look, and some pass though city centres allowing them to be viewed from a direction that would often never be seen.
Burscough is a small town surrounded by beautiful countryside that can be easily viewed when walking along the tow path,
Gongoozeling can be a thirsty occupation - especially on a hot summers day, and fortunately most canals have some public houses alongside them that can help to quench a well earned thirst!
The wharf in Burscough has been transformed into a collection of mostly modern sellers of food and alcohol, and whilst this may be of interest (especially in the evenings), it was not the most appealing series of alcohol sellers that attracted me the most.
But a short walk along the tow path (in either direction) reveals some more traditional types of public houses that may well have been there back in the canals “hey-day” when they would have provided some rest-bite for the canal boat operators and their live aboard families.
Three that I “viewed” today are pictured here - purely to illustrate the variety of canal side pubs!
The first pictured is The Farmers Arms that is a lovely pub that has a “swing bridge” and a nice restaurant with some tables along side the canal back where I sat and enjoyed a quite drink in the sun earlier.
The second shown here is The Slipway that also has a swing bridge. Both these canal side pubs have their own slipway to give access to the canal for small boat users.
The Ship is a larger pub that is alongside the canal but does not have a waterside location - although it does run closely alongside the canal and has a large car park that seemed very busy (for a Monday afternoon!).
There was also a lot of intersting water-born birds to be seen too, enough to keep the “twitchers” happy as well.
I should have taken a decent camera with me so I could capture some more intersting “things” to share here, but on a hot day most of us cant be bothered to carry a heavy camera and telephoto lens, so these iPhon snap shots are all I have to illustrate today’s gongoozeling .
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by Steves-s and chugalone100
@PhilH
You could well be right about the top speed of the average narrow boat Phil, they are not much faster than a brisk walking pace - some are slightly faster than others - but not that much faster !
Bob.
You could well be right about the top speed of the average narrow boat Phil, they are not much faster than a brisk walking pace - some are slightly faster than others - but not that much faster !
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by chugalone100
@Ronald
Your humour was not lost on me, but very much appreciated Ronald..
I spent a lot of my working life with German business’s and very much enjoyed their (generally unrecognised) sense of humour ….and I also enjoyed drinking a lot of beer with them too - both in Germany and here in the UK.
“Warm English Beer” (as it was referred to - by them) was generally enjoyed as a contrast to the usual chilled German beers that my German friends were used to drinking, and I enjoyed drinking their cold beers just as much when I was their guest too.
I very much miss my time with my German friends since I retired 11 years ago, but remember them and our various escapades together with much fondness.
Bob.
Your humour was not lost on me, but very much appreciated Ronald..
I spent a lot of my working life with German business’s and very much enjoyed their (generally unrecognised) sense of humour ….and I also enjoyed drinking a lot of beer with them too - both in Germany and here in the UK.
“Warm English Beer” (as it was referred to - by them) was generally enjoyed as a contrast to the usual chilled German beers that my German friends were used to drinking, and I enjoyed drinking their cold beers just as much when I was their guest too.
I very much miss my time with my German friends since I retired 11 years ago, but remember them and our various escapades together with much fondness.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by Fishercat
@zooma
Bob, I think you may have overlooked my attempt at humour. Prost is the German phrase beer drinking like the phrase “ Cheers”or “Bottoms-Up”.
Bob, I think you may have overlooked my attempt at humour. Prost is the German phrase beer drinking like the phrase “ Cheers”or “Bottoms-Up”.
Liked by zooma and SimpleSailor
Liked by DWBrinkman and zooma and
Another interesting narrow boat was this one that has an all steel welded front cover where a detachable canvas cover would be the norm.
This must make it a very secure boat, but access to the open air and ventilation at the front when cruising has been lost. Maybe it has air conditioning instead?
Nice paintwork though.
Behind it was another nice narrow boat with is roll-back canvas front cover, shown here for comparison.
Bob.
This must make it a very secure boat, but access to the open air and ventilation at the front when cruising has been lost. Maybe it has air conditioning instead?
Nice paintwork though.
Behind it was another nice narrow boat with is roll-back canvas front cover, shown here for comparison.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by DWBrinkman and EdW and
Gongoozelling.
Sue and I spent today gongoozeling along the Liverpool Canal where it passes through Burscough and saw this intersting narrow boat with an unusual name.
At first I thought it was strange to name a boat after my favourite lager beer………..
But on closer inspection it was not.
Bob.
At first I thought it was strange to name a boat after my favourite lager beer………..
But on closer inspection it was not.
Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by DWBrinkman and EdW and
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