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My hometown of Birmingham is famous for having more canals than Venice. It still has a major network of navigable waterways which was the equivalent of the motorway system over 200 years ago. I live in Tamworth near to the junction of the Birmingham to Fazeley canal and the Coventry canal by a cotton mill established by Sir Robert Peel.

For years I have been strangely drawn to canals and find them relaxing. Often parallel to established road corridors, it's a different world tucked away from the hustle and bustle of life with plenty of canalside pubs. I used to walk miles along the local canals often helping to open and close locks and getting my kids involved. These days I tend to cycle along the towpaths. They are an ideal way to relax. No traffic and more importantly...flat . Most people on the narrowboats are really friendly and chatty. Yesterday, me and my girlfriend cycled 14 miles along the Coventry canal passing through the village that dubs lives in. Once out of his village, you are in open countryside again heading towards Coventry. We really fancy hiring a narrowboat but it can be a bit expensive I think. Anyone ever had a go?. Presumably, they can't be that difficult to operate. Don't think I'd attempt the 21 locks at Hatton on my first time out though.

I'd love to see some pictures of what it's like there, Uncle Kram. Any chance of that?

Uncle Kram;651114 wrote: We really fancy hiring a narrowboat but it can be a bit expensive I think. Anyone ever had a go?. Presumably, they can't be that difficult to operate. Don't think I'd attempt the 21 locks at Hatton on my first time out though.:DBung a PM to Bryn Mawr, he owns one. He'll be back from Eire in a few days.

RedGlitter;651118 wrote: I'd love to see some pictures of what it's like there, Uncle Kram. Any chance of that?
yeah, I'll sort some out tonight.

I live near birmingham, and my house is on the side of a canal, i often enjoy going for walks down the canal on nice sunny days, and i do find the other people i come across on my way always say hello.

I have been on a canal boat before, because my friends parents used to own one, it was ever so good, but i couldnt tell you how hard it is to do the locks, as i didnt attempt to do any, i was to busy relaxing!

xx

xalisonx;651314 wrote: I live near birmingham, and my house is on the side of a canal, i often enjoy going for walks down the canal on nice sunny days, and i do find the other people i come across on my way always say hello.

I have been on a canal boat before, because my friends parents used to own one, it was ever so good, but i couldnt tell you how hard it is to do the locks, as i didnt attempt to do any, i was to busy relaxing!

xx We were saying yesterday how lucky people were whose gardens went straight down to the canal on the opposite side to the towpath. Quite a few houses had ducks and swans on their lawns and a few people were fishing from their gardens. Most had little patios with chairs etc. Ideal for summer nights watching the boats pass by. Have to say I envy you Alison.

Some pix from walks and rides on local canals

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...and more

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Hey those are cool! How fun to live by water like that! It looks very romantic. :-6 I love the ducks too. Are the canals very deep?

Nice photos Uncle Kram, thanks for putting those up!

Those are great too- I really like the photo with the boat in front of the house. It's very pretty. And that swan taking off, wow what a cool shot.

That's a nice photo of you and your pretty friend, Unc.

RedGlitter;651558 wrote: Hey those are cool! How fun to live by water like that! It looks very romantic. :-6 I love the ducks too. Are the canals very deep?

Nice photos Uncle Kram, thanks for putting those up!
No the canals aren't very deep really. I was told yesterday that the lock holds 80,000 gallons of water so I guess you wouldn't want to fill it a bucket at a time . The swan never actually took off. It skated across the surface towards us for about 100 yards.

From Fazeley junction just down the road from here, the canal heads for Birmingham passing directly under Spaghetti Junction. The pictures at Digbeth basin in the attached link are about 50 feet from where I work.

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/tour_00/BCNplus3.html

Krammy. Pinky'll tell you, it's my dream to get a boat, and live on it, I'm always along the canals and very often walk from Atherstone to Polesworth. I'll keep my eye open for you......

Here's a few from my neck of the woods....

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Uncle Kram;651589 wrote: No the canals aren't very deep really. I was told yesterday that the lock holds 80,000 gallons of water so I guess you wouldn't want to fill it a bucket at a time . The swan never actually took off. It skated across the surface towards us for about 100 yards.

From Fazeley junction just down the road from here, the canal heads for Birmingham passing directly under Spaghetti Junction. The pictures at Digbeth basin in the attached link are about 50 feet from where I work.

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/tour_00/BCNplus3.html


I liked that site. I really appreciate the pictures Unc! They sure are pretty.

dubs;651693 wrote: Here's a few from my neck of the woods.... I recognised that part of the canal. There was an amazing building by you on the opposite side to the towpath which had a bit of a castle / church / monastry look about it, just before the Tamworth Road (Alvcote side). What is or was it?

Uncle Kram;651893 wrote: I recognised that part of the canal. There was an amazing building by you on the opposite side to the towpath which had a bit of a castle / church / monastry look about it, just before the Tamworth Road (Alvcote side). What is or was it?


I think you must mean Pooley Hall. It was built in 1509 by Sir Thomas Cockayne, it's still lived in, I'm not sure who has it now, but Edwin Starr lived there for many years, until just before his death. I've been in there, years ago ......Blooooody spooky.......:-3

dubs;652199 wrote: I think you must mean Pooley Hall. It was built in 1509 by Sir Thomas Cockayne, it's still lived in, I'm not sure who has it now, but Edwin Starr lived there for many years, until just before his death. I've been in there, years ago ......Blooooody spooky.......:-3
Blimey, I've actually impressed myself by spotting it was a Tudor building. Whoever lives there must be worth a mint.

Edwin Starr eh?......you've sure rubbed shoulders with some stellar neighbours dubs

Dont know about the canals but I have nice memories of paddling down a creek as a young pup.

I love the water.

Nomad;652349 wrote: Dont know about the canals but I have nice memories of paddling down a creek as a young pup.

I love the water. We are blessed with a lot of water in this area. Two rivers, the Tame and the Anker pass through Tamworth town centre and there is a great water park in Kingsbury which has many lakes and the Birmingham & Fazeley canal passes through it. It's a good place to unwind. In times of stress and trouble, head for water.

This is one of my best friends, Lou. We met up for some food and ended up at this place near Dudley. The canalside here has really had some money thrown at it and it looks great.

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Lee had some pix back yesterday and this one was amongst them. No surprises that I'm down at the canal again.

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HUBBA HUBBA!!! :yh_love

Is that too forward of me? :-3

Very nice photo of you, Uncle Kram!

You guys look great together unc. Seriously you guys look like you just fit. Nice !

The canals were probably my favourite thing in England. Photos can't really capture the feeling of them.

Nevertheless, here are two pics I have handy. A dock and a lock

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Is Lou gettin "jiggy" with it ?

Do you have a picture of you gettin "jiggy" with it ?

Nomad;664441 wrote: Is Lou gettin "jiggy" with it ?

Do you have a picture of you gettin "jiggy" with it ?





I'd say less than 1% of the photos taken by my camera are of me so I'm afraid not. That afternoon was a hoot. We basically just laughed for hours.

How nice to find your thread Uncle Kram. Another canal nut !! Good for you, canals are definitely a cure for stress !

We used to run a charter/trip boat business on the River Trent at Nottingham, much hard work but so enjoyable.



My husband Chris and I have been involved with the restoration of the Grantham Canal ( which runs from Grantham in Lincs, through Leics, and exits into the River Trent at Nottingham 33 miles in total ), since 1969 ! Chris is, at present Hon. Chairman, and I am Hon. Sec. of the Grantham Canal Restoration Society Ltd. We have the honour of having His Grace The Duke of Rutland as our President. You can find the Grantham Canal Website at :

http://www.granthamcanal.com/index.htm or just type in Grantham Canal in your 'search' on the internet. You'll find it most interesting !

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