Back in the Jurassic era, when there were heydays and I was in mine, on good weather weekends, my friends and I would cycle to the Grand Union Canal in Hemel Hempstead, where we lived, and cycle 8 miles along the canal paths as far as Tring, then we’d cycle back home. There were, and still presumably are, several establishments along the way where you could rest and refresh yourself with beverages, usually half a pint of Bulmers, and have a nice lunch. Summers were fab down south back then and I got fit and tanned, and only rode my bike and myself into the canal once. Ah halcyon days indeed.
The Grand Union Canal came to be in 1929 when it amalgamated with a couple of other canals to try and mitigate against the competitive rail and newly-developing road transport system. It’s the main navigable waterway between London and the Midlands, starting in London, with an arm running to Leicester and a second arm going to Birmingham. The London-Birmingham route is 137 miles long and has 166 locks to pass through.
When I went and stayed in Leighton Buzzard to look after my grandson whilst his Dad took his lady to the Isle of Wight Festival, I took my Contax to the bit of the canal that you can access from the carpark at the Tesco Superstore, and spent a pleasant couple of hours having a wander.
I found this carved felled tree trunk at the beginning of the walk
Plenty of narrow boats that people either live in or use as holiday homes are berthed on the canal. Lutra is named after the Eurasian Otter of the same name.
Loved the washing line and TV ariel on this
There are houses who’s gardens abut the canal,
The Wyvern Shipping Company hire out narrow boats for day trips, or longer. holidays, it’s on my bucket list of things to do.
Not every vessel was a narrow boat
Narrow boats are usually decorated with plants and colourful painted bits and pieces
I reached the first lock on this stretch and was hoping for a boat to come through
And got lucky.
That was were I turned round and went back to pick up Lewis from school, after a lovely afternoon which brought some fab memories back.
All shots clickable and embiggenable
All shots taken with my Contax Aria on a roll of Kodak Portra.
fragglefilm 
bargetastic
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😊
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When Julie was still living in Abbots Langley, we often went to a canalside pub and restaurant in Apsley, which you probably know is close to Hemel.
Love the film stock photos, and that sense of times past.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete, yes I know Apsley 🙂
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One word: gorgeous!!!
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Thanks!
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Absolutely wonderful. I’d love to row that canal!
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It would be cool to do London to Birmingham, though I think I’d prefer to chug along in a boat, with my feet up and a glass of vino delecto!
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Lovely canal and chronicle, fragglerocking. And again, without them looking digital at all, I forgot these were film photos. Love the deep shadows of the day : )
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Thanks Francis 🙂
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I have always wanted a canal holiday! Perhaps next time if we ever get back to the UK again…..lovely images, my favourite combination, Contax and Portra 🙂
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Thanks Steve!
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I had a nice walk along a bit of the Kennet and Avon a couple of months ago. It was a flat bit, fortunately, not the flight of locks in Devizes. There’s always something interesting to see around a canal.
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Yes indeed. There aren’t any in the north east sadly. Which is possibly why George Stephenson invented the train.
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The lack of a canal would probably lead you to think about other forms of transport for heavy goods.
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Nice place to visit, but I’m sure I couldn’t handle living on the water.
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Me neither, but a holiday on a narrow boat would be cool.
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I love seeing the canal boats (it certainly would be an interesting holiday) You have some gorgeous photos this week! 👏🏻❤️😊
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Thanks Connie 🙂
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That reminds me of two of my most beautiful holidays in England: on a narrowboat.
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On the grand union?
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No, but on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal, then on the Avon and Severn, the Stafford-and-Worcesterhire Canal to Birmingham and back on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal to Wootton Wawen where we had hired the narrowboat.
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Lovely!
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