This fine vessel was home for me, my wife and daughter for the last week. :boat:

We spent our time traveling a small part of our fine British Waterways in glorious weather.

Some of the landscape and views are stunning, and virtually inaccessible any other way, apart from aviation that is. (ideal if hot air ballooning for example)

It is a bit of a brutal detachment from modern living mind, what with limited services such as WiFi, Broadband, etc' etc'. (A bit of a blessing if I was honest)

Looks like a nice way to spend a holiday mate:thumbup1:

Looks like a nice way to spend a holiday mate:thumbup1:

 

It is mate, not everyone's cup of tea I know, but I love it!

Some of the countryside pubs and restaurants are first class, not to mention the period structures and architecture.

The tunnels are amazing, I think all in all we spent approximately 5 miles underground!

Example below.. It takes approximately half an hour to complete. (subject to traffic that is.)

nice one!

been a long time since i had a holiday like that.

i think its well due. can you send me some details please?

That looks so relaxing, away from the crowds and the fast pace of life. The bar we were at for the AGM weekend was beside a canal and the people on the barges look very relaxed.

Would that be the Braunston tunnel? We had Alic's broken down Z parked up near there last year as we went on a canal boat hols!

nice one!

been a long time since i had a holiday like that.

i think its well due. can you send me some details please?

 

Sure thing Craig, it would be my pleasure.

 

PM me what you would like to know.

e,g, Areas of travel, duration etc' etc'

I have been navigating the British Waterways for quite some years now, so have some great knowledge of some very nice areas.

Just depends on what you want from your trip, I would be more than happy to help.

That looks so relaxing, away from the crowds and the fast pace of life. The bar we were at for the AGM weekend was beside a canal and the people on the barges look very relaxed.

 

It is relaxing Gary, definitely a peaceful way of life.

The canal next to the AGM weekend is the Ashby, I've traveled it many times.

It's actually a dead-end unfortunately, but work and fundraising is ongoing to eventually reclaim the remaining stretch.

It's what's called a contour canal, so lock free for the whole length, approximately 22 miles I believe. (Bliss)

Fantastic lifestyle...As part of my retirement plans ive been paying into a fund which is going to enable me to buy a new one in 6 years time which ime going to use up and down the whole British isles 4 months every 12 and ride powerful motorcycles the other 8:gunsmilie: weldone redwine for doing something other than sitting in the sun drinking beer which in itself is a fantastic pastime too ime led to believe:cool3::cool3:

Would that be the Braunston tunnel? We had Alic's broken down Z parked up near there last year as we went on a canal boat hols!

 

Correct mate, it was opened in 1796 would you believe!

Mind you, the construction was hampered by quicksand and misalignment part way through.

Believe it or not, there is a slight chicane in the middle!

Sometimes very difficult to navigate for the beginner, especially when passing an oncoming boat.

Fantastic lifestyle...As part of my retirement plans ive been paying into a fund which is going to enable me to buy a new one in 6 years time which ime going to use up and down the whole British isles 4 months every 12 and ride powerful motorcycles the other 8:gunsmilie: weldone redwine for doing something other than sitting in the sun drinking beer which in itself is a fantastic pastime too ime led to believe:cool3::cool3:

 

Sounds like a perfect combination Bri!

I too had aspirations of a similar nature, unfortunately life has conspired against me with not only my own health, but my wife's also.

Still haven't quite given up though, as you, my pension fund should allow me to buy my own in 8 years time. (fingers crossed)

Edited August 21, 20178 yr by redwine300

Once we had cleared the Braunston fight of 6 double locks along with the tunnel, we headed North to Foxton passing through some very nice countryside as we went.

Wish I had a better camera as my photographs just do not do the scenery justice, I was also surprised by the number wind turbines that have popped up.

Why they have to be white and and not in keeping with the natural surroundings beets me.

Here we are at the summit of Foxton locks, 75 feet below will be our moorings for the night.

There is an excellent restaurant waterside and some excellent fishing opportunities.

Sorry for the poor picture composition, should have excluded the waste collection trolley. :blush:

should have excluded the waste collection trolley. :blush:

 

Should of just wizzed it into the canal, like low lifes do with the shopping trolleys :confused1:.

 

Many do not appreciate or even see our 200 year old canal system. I've been busy this summer but in 2016 there were many times when i'd ride to the next town on my push bike - passing the ducks, swans, etc.

Should of just wizzed it into the canal, like low lifes do with the shopping trolleys :confused1:.

 

Many do not appreciate or even see our 200 year old canal system. I've been busy this summer but in 2016 there were many times when i'd ride to the next town on my push bike - passing the ducks, swans, etc.

 

I know what you meen about the low lifes Andy, in previous years we used to see all sorts of discarded rubbish.

Fortunately though, over the last couple of years things seem to have improved considerably.

Maybe a coincidence, or the fact that British Waterways are no longer responsible for the upkeep and that the Canal and River trust have made more of an effort.

 

I also hope to spend a bit more time around the local waterways this year, such an unappreciated environment in my opinion.

This is us at the halfway stage of the flight, you can just see the pub and restaurant on the right.

It takes less than an hour to ascend the 10 lock staircase, subject to traffic that is.

If you time it wrong, the Lock Keeper may decide to let 5 or 6 boats up first as it is only one way, thus resulting in a possible 1 to 2 hour wait.

They sometimes allow a single boat to make their way up to the mid point where they can moor up and allow us, and the following boats to pass.

I know this smacks a bit like... "Hey, come round soon, I'll show you my holiday snaps," so I hope I am not boring anyone, only a couple more! Promise.

This picture is of our overnight stay at the foot of Foxton Locks before we head back home.. (I think I have some night shots somewhere. :lol:)

These pictures will hopefully show the glass restaurant at its best.. :bored:

Here's a couple pictures from inside the restaurant, It must be one of the smallest pubs in Britain.

The beer garden is nice though..

Welcome back mate - and great pics!! Looks like a nice way to spend one's hols; I must try that myself sometime.....

 

Glad you had a good time sir....:thumbup:

Welcome back mate - and great pics!! Looks like a nice way to spend one's hols; I must try that myself sometime.....

 

Glad you had a good time sir....:thumbup:

 

Cheers Richard, :thumbup1: I can certainly recommend it for relaxing and just getting away from it all.

And the journey home begins...

Spotted this on the way back, a giant of a tree had finally succumbed to the elements.

It's difficult to convey the sheer size, but for perspective, if I was to stand next to it, it would of been about chest height.