BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals

Subject: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 06:54 AM

for the canalista of this parish.

As a COVID bonus (?) I have been putting together lists of Milestones (aka mile pegs / milepost etc) & OS Benchmarks + maps - along certain canals (with some fingerposts). Mostly documented because these things disappear with time, decay and vandalism. viz:

Cotswold Canals

Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

Lancaster Canal

Macclesfield & Peak Forest Canals

Leeds & Liverpool Canals

they all go to to the one file, the software processes according to the URL, which makes it more flexible to update as new data come in. Suggestions welcome.

I am planning a walking holiday along the MonBrec soon - a poor substitute for dancing, but it will keep me (relatively) active in readiness for the resumption of Folk Festival terpsichore (whatever that form it will take!).

overview map - zoom in

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Raggytash
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 11:43 AM

Nice bit of history being collected here, a big round of applause to Mr Red for this work.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 12:03 PM

I have some photos somewhere of walking from Gastang up to the M6 Kendal turn off on the Lancaster canal, where the second stretch of water gave out. i don't know if I took any of the mileposts. If I find them I will let you know.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 12:52 PM

Walked the stretch of the Leeds/Liverpool from Kildwick to Skipton only the other day and from Kildwick to Silden last weekend.

My mate Adam, sadly passed away now, used to love canals in general and the Lancaster in particular. Used to take a boat on it every year. He reckons it was because there are no locks :-) I believe you can, or could, go into Glasson Dock but I don't think he ever did.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 03:08 PM

I've never seen any milestones on our Stort Navigation that runs past Harlow's North boundary. But then I've never looked for them. I will next time I walk out along it.

I visit it every day right now, because a pair of swans have a nest, and the pen is sitting patiently on the eggs, starving away. I reckon that she's got another couple of weeks before the eggs should hatch.

The cob cruises up and down the canal, outside the little lagoon where they have the nest, most of the time, and comes back at night to give her a bit of company.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Apr 21 - 02:53 AM

Only some of the G&S and T&S are my photos. The rest are garnered from Geograph &/or things listed by the Milestone Society

my list is ongoing, new additions:

the MonBrec

the Oxford Canal

the Grand Western

and the Huddersfield Narrow is on the map with list to follow. Because the list is grown from other peoples' work there are legacy details that complicate the process. Which takes time.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Apr 21 - 03:03 AM

Lee & Stort Navigation there are 7 listed eg TQ 3573 9198

and near Harlow there are a few

TL 3714 0338        Broxbourne        Cheshunt        N. of Cheshunt Lock
TL 3722 0656        Broxbourne        Hoddesdon        Opposite clubhouse
TL 3903 0851        Broxbourne        Hoddesdon        N. of Dobbs Weir

Looks like L&S will be next on the list.
I am doing short lists at the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Apr 21 - 10:17 AM

Surprisingly easy if the data are short & have been originally done in one lump. (ie consistently). No surprises this time.

Lee (Lea) & Stort Navigation milestones

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 May 21 - 03:13 AM

Just been walking a chunk of the MonBrec. It's in Wales so yes it rained. Found 9 more mile markers (aka mile pegs / road numbers).
There were a lot of boundary markers too, most put there by GWR (Railways) who bought the canal in 1880.
The same pattern as ones seen in my locale. they look like this & this but two stone ones from the B & A C.Cᴼ the last one was being used as the fourth tread down from the towpath at Llanfoist Wharf.
Camping in COVID restrictions was also er, um, interesting. Ablutions block & latrines not open. They would be now, but on the plus side - less campers, less noise.

mbms.mister.red

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Donuel
Date: 17 May 21 - 07:24 AM

I have spent 25 years in on and around the Erie Canal. In Rochester NY one can have dinner, concerts and a great date aboard the Erie Canal ships. In DC we still have working locks.

Good luck with your local canal, its worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 17 May 21 - 12:03 PM

With some photos of the canal, etc., my haiku poem "Irony In Lancaster"

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 May 21 - 02:26 PM

Well the Lancaster canal was the 3^rd one I listed.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 17 May 21 - 02:46 PM

Yes - I a saw that, thanks, Mr Red.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: JHW
Date: 17 May 21 - 03:31 PM

Covid has been a reminder of the way we 'disappear with time'.
Have walked out from Gargrave and back alongside the Leeds - Liverpool.
Afraid no idea if I saw a milestone. Used to be a cafe on the corner at Gargrave.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 17 May 21 - 03:44 PM

...some of the stone paths/roads between the River Lune and Lancaster Canal (mentioned in the above poem) seemed to have disappeared between when I first visited with my pen in autumn 2000 & my return with camera in spring 2019..?

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 May 21 - 10:48 AM

Milestone is a generic term. Mile Pegs would be more appropriate on the Leeds & Liverpool.

Subject: RE: BS: somethings to see - walking UK canals
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 18 May 21 - 02:02 PM

...Canal Boat Diaries is on BBC4 now.