signs of spring

old no. 38

signs of spring

As mentioned in the last edition of ‘Canals Online’ magazine, spring has well and truly sprung and is now in full swing down by old bridge number 38.

‘How do you know,’ I hear you cry.

Well I’ll tell you a few of the tricks us old timers living down by the cut use in defining the passing of the seasons.

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it was cheap

dawncraft chronicles

it was cheap

When I bought my Dawncraft 25 it had to fit three strict criteria: available immediately, local and come with a mooring. The rest I thought an intelligent man like myself could sort out. The money was duly handed over and I stood on a flexing roof the proud owner of a 1973 icon of boating history.

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bridge on the staffs and worcs

old no. 38

bridge on the staffs and worcs

Oh that looks nice. Cup of tea and a biscuit. Pull a chair over here, put your feet up and relax while you catch up with this edition of Canals Online.

Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many meanderings along and around the ‘cut’ as we call it here in The Black Country. We’ll delve into something here, poke about a bit there and lift a few rocks to see what scurries out.

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the river severn to gloucester quays

pictures worth a thousand words

the river severn to gloucester quays

Much of our leisurely travelling time has been undertaken early in the year, due to trading commitments since the spring of 2014. Last April, returning from a month in New Zealand, we chose to venture southwards to explore at Gloucester Quays - and experience what the Gloucester Sharpness Canal had to offer. Those were in themselves a joy to visit. An additional, unexpected thrill, was the picturesque and fascinating sunken ships on the banks of the River Severn, able to be extremely easily accessed from the Canal.

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graydees dream

simply linda - telling tales from the towpath

graydees dream

Welcome!

In my last article I made reference to ‘my plan’. Well, I’m not going to tell you about that today. Instead, I’m going to share with you ‘my vision’…..

You may recall I made reference to having owned a boat called Graydees’ Dream, many moons ago. As far as I am aware, she’s still lying at Garstang Marina on the Lancaster canal. A more beautiful boat you couldn’t wish for, with her bespoke engine room and fully exposed John Deere engine; hand-painted (oil paints) waterside scenes on her superstructure; designer interior; and striking etched interior glass doors. Her bright red roof with brass mushrooms shone in whatever weather cared to come our way. Gongoozlers and boaters alike stopped to look. Many even came on board.

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