Regent's Canal

The Regent's Canal Company was formed in 1812 to cut a new canal from the Grand Junction Canal's Paddington Arm to Limehouse, where a dock was planned at the junction with the Thames. Completed in 1820, it was built too close to the start of the railway age to be financially successful and narrowly escaped being turned into a railway. The canal survived and carried huge quantities of timber, coal, building materials and foodstuffs into and out of London into the 1960s. It was closed to shipping in 1969 and its future looked bleak. but in 1979 the British Waterways Board allowed underground electricity cables to be laid in a trough below the towpath between St John’s Wood and City Road. Pumped canal water is used to cool these high voltage cables, which now form part of the National Grid.

Dorset 11 Lyme Regis

On the Tuesday of our trip, we visited Lyme Regis on a very hot bright day. I mainly concentrated on the people enjoying the location in the strong contrasty light. The artist was perfectly dressed for the location while the young provided entertainment leaping off the cob, canoeing, paddling etc. There was, of course, just sitting enjoying the view and sunshine or a gentle game of bowls.

Ashby Canal

We are staying near Mallory Park for the Historic Bike Racing meet tomorrow. I took a walk along the canal after a day sitting at a meeting. Originally intended as a connection between the Coventry Canal and the River Trent (which it failed to reach), the Ashby Canal was constructed lock-free and served the coalfields around Moira and Measham.  The last image shows the former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway. It served the village of Higham on the Hill, closed in 1931 to passengers but goods continued to pass through until 1962 when the line was closed.

Punting Trip

It was great to meet up with Alistair, Bev and Rowan after too long a break due to Covid restrictions. Alistair very expertly punted us up to the Granta from Mill Lane and then down as far as St Johns before returning. The river was very busy but the swans with their 7 cygnets didn't seem to worry about all the punts and people provided bits of picnic were being shared.

Cambridge on a Sunny June Morning

Coe Fen and the River were still very quiet mid morning on Tuesday. Here a few images of people enjoying the area for recreation or just a quiet read or chat in the shade.