We went for a walk along the Macclesfield Canal a few days ago. And we had a good time gongoozling! Which, for those who don't know, is watching other people doing all the hard work of locks and bridges, and possibly getting into a mess! We have had many holidays on the canals in the past and cursed the gongoozlers sometimes as our narrow boat didn't do what the steerer wanted it to, but now it was our turn!
It was a beautiful day, and the locks are handy to sit on!
The locks can be quite deep, and it feels spooky sometimes waiting on your boat at the bottom of a lock as it fills up!
There are also bridges, some like this one, only used for farm traffic. Its often very quiet and peaceful along the canal - lovely!
There wasn't much wild life around, much to our suprise, no butterflies and hardly any birds. But I did find some berries! The hedges and the canal edges had been trimmed rather roughtly, by the Waterways Board, so no chance of blackberries!
But there are always a few interested onlookers!
I wish I had taken photos of the boats, but we were surrounded by people, and it seemed rather rude to snap their difficulties with the locks and paddles!
The Macclesfield Canal is mostly lock-free, apart from this section at Bosley, where there are 9 locks one after the other as the canal drops down the hillside. A little further on it goes across the River Dane by an Aqueduct, but I couldn't manage to get there. I was quite pleased with myself for getting as far as I did.
11 comments:
What a lovely walk you had. I am delighted to add a new word to my collection of fun things to say. Gongoozling. Some words just make me chuckle. I will try to use it often enough to make it one of my own. I also really like the picture of the path going under the bridge. I want to follow that path.
What an interesting time you had -- and an interesting post, as well. Never heard of gongoozling!
Thats a great post, and lovely pics of the canal Gilly. We live near the Grand Union, and i love walking along side, watching the boats and looking out for wild-life. We had a hol on Shropshire Union Canal last autumn. It was wonderful. Helen x
Love the images........calming and serene.
thankyou
....is that red berried bush a Guelder Rose? I ask as there have been loads planted round here and I've never seen them before.....
It is such a serene place, it seems from the photos. Lovely, Gilly.
Gongoozling! Thought you made up the word - such a fun word. Looks like your outing was equally fun. Thanks for sharing - would like to do that some day.
so now I know what I was when we watched the lock keepers in france!
I love hearing about your walks... beautiful photos, x
Wow, that is all new to me. I had to read it twice because I'm not sure I understand what's happening. What's a lock?
www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com
I too am adding Gongoozling to my vocabulary. It is a wonderful word that sounds as though it is giggling at life.
Your photos are wonderful and I enjoyed your walk. You made me feel as though I was right there with you.
I saw your comment on a friend's blog. I saw you were from the UK...
Beautiful pics -- will be following now :)
Hugs,
Sue
You have a beautiful blog Gilly.
Have a blessed Day!
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