Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal, June 2024
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- Wednesday 12th June 2024:
This week I packed the Brompton into the car and drove to Chepstow, where I jumped on a train to Gloucester - just a 30 minute journey, and I’m happy to say that the trains there and back were both bang on time - so well done to Cross Country and Transport for Wales respectively!
I wanted to take a look at Gloucester Lock, as I’d not ventured to that side of the dock before, but also I was curious to see what had been done to restore the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.
I’d heard of the great work being done by the Herefordshire And Gloucestershire Canal Trust, and my Nicholson Guide suggested that a short section of the canal was now navigable.
I was lucky with the weather and had a very enjoyable time - the Lock was very impressive, and the canal was great too - though I was surprised that more people weren’t taking advantage of the towpath for a walk - it was really pretty and loads of birds were singing.
I hope to check out the Hereford end of the restoration soon and think it would be fabulous if the whole length of the navigation is reopened one day - I know the Trust is working very hard to that end.
Hope you enjoy watching the video!
Cheers,
Jeff
By the way, if you do enjoy the video, then please consider subscribing - it really helps me to grow the channel!
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
/ @gladysthenarrowboat - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Thank you Jeff for introducing us to a canal on our door step that I never knew existed. Will definitely make a visit.
Hiya Gerald! Yes, just down the road from you! The restored canal is only a half a mile to a mile long, but a lovely walk and you can park nearby. 👍
Interesting video Jeff, thanks. Indeed a beautiful part of the old canal and a haven for wildlife. Good to see you out on the Brompton Jeff with some nice weather 👍
Thanks Iain! Yes, it was really pretty and plenty of wildlife! I seem to be lucky with the weather... although I do take note of the forecast of course... but it turned out very well. Only a short ride, but good to get out on the bike again 👍
Hi Jeff, Great to see you again out and about and what a treat, you have the weather with you and your trusty steed the Brompton.
Lovely neck of the woods, you sharing another interesting vlog.
Also, another great stretch of the Canal Network.
Always takes me back to my way down to S, Wales.😊
Thank you for the information and the lovely vlogs you keep on showing us.
Take care and stay safe out there 😊
John.
Hi John and thanks as always for commenting! Yes, it was a double whammy - featuring a canal PLUS the Brompton! That stretch reminds me of the Mon & Brec canal in S Wales - very pretty. 😁
Beautiful 🥰
Thanks! Very glad you liked it!!! 😁
@@Gladysthenarrowboat yep , would love to hop on a plane
Yes, and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed!👍
Hi Jeff, great video again as always. Good to see the Brompton out again, love the way it folds and unfolds. That is a beautiful little stretch of canal, almost like a little piece of hidden paradise. I'd like a relaxing fishing session there if allowed, however I usually end up dozing off when it's a quiet tranquil place like that. Hopefully Gladys is coming along at good speed when you visit Aintree on Wednesday, can't wait to see the video and pics. Take care Jeff 👍👍👍. Carry On Up The Jungle??? Stop messing about as Kenneth Williams would say 😂
Thanks Dave! Glad you liked it, and I like your 'Carry On' comment (Kenneth Williams)!
Yes, the folding/unfolding is amazing. I can do it faster than on the video, but even so, it takes no time, as you saw on the video. Ingenious design from Brompton that has stood the test of time.
I can easily imagine myself falling asleep along that towpath too Dave! I think DC used the word 'tranquility' in his comment and he was absolutely right 👍
As I keep saying on these comments about the boat-completion, - please keep your fingers firmly crossed Dave! 😁🤞
Quite the contrast from the noisy start, to the tranquility of the Over Basin. What a nice spot. Thank you.
Having a look at Google Maps, there are other sections remaining, dotted through the landscape. Sporadically appearing as a stretch of a few hundred metres here and there or as isolated feed ponds in the midst of farmland. One section appears NW of Newent close to ‘Horsefair Lane’ SE of Oxenhall. I was in Much Marcle recently, which is relatively close by, with Ledbury not far off. The landscape runs through gently rolling hills and is flat for much of the route’s length.
Hi DC! Thanks as always for the informative comment! Yeah, one minute I was riding along a dual carriageway and the next I was in the middle of total tranquility! It's such a nice spot on that bit of canal.
Thanks for the intel about the other sections of this canal - I'll definitely revisit it soon and feature some of the other restored sections 👍 PS - I always think of the Miss Marple mysteries when I see the name Much Marcle!
Haha, Sid James leaping from the bushes!😂
You took the words out of my head re lack of people on the towpath, what a lovely place for a walk with a dog.
Enjoyed the video as usual & excited to see you next week with Gladys, hope August is going to be a go for you.
Morning Annie! Ha Ha! yes, perhaps not everyone will know of Sid James and the 'Carry On' films, but you obviously do! Just imagine him there in his jungle outfit with his cheeky laugh!
Keep your fingers crossed that I get good news on Wednesday at Aintree - I'm trying not to build my hopes up in case of disappointment, but yes, August would be fantastic if it works out! 👍
@@Gladysthenarrowboat Easy to picture him isn't it, the good old days definitely had their moments.
No, it's best not to be too optimistic then it'll be a nice surprise if things are better than you expect.
Look forward to finding out next weekend anyway, enjoy the rest of the weekend Jeff.
Thanks Annie! Yes, I'm hoping for good news on Wednesday - but there have been so many let-downs already, that I can't allow myself to feel too optimistic - but we'll see, and I'll definitely let you know!
Some heavy rain here today on and off, but hoping tomorrow will be better - have a great Sunday Annie 😁
I have a real soft spot for Gloucester Docks. I like your cycle gloves 😊
Hi Madison 😊. Yes, I know what you mean - it's a great place and so much to see.
I know that you have cycled the whole canal, but I have only done halfway yet - one of these days I will drive over to Sharpness and explore that end of the canal. I have had those track mitts for... oh 20 years?! Most of my stuff is ancient, other than the Brompton. I got them in Halfords - their Bikehut range, I think it was. 👍
@@Gladysthenarrowboat Its definitely worth a visit, if to see the remaining abutment and pillar of the old Severn Railway Bridge, although you can’t legally get to it via Sharpness Docks end as far as I can see, cycles are not permitted beyond the main entrance (and rightly so with the heavy goods traffic) and an older bridge further on seems to have unauthorised access signs. I accessed the canal at purton lower bridge and went south. It’s a bit grassy along the canal there so you may need to walk the Brompton at some point but it’s not far.
Nothing wrong with making cycle gear last years. I still have a lot of old stuff too. ☺️🚴🏻♀️
Thanks for the great info Madison 😊
Getting on the canal at Purton sounds like a good plan - thats where the ship-graveyard is isn't it. I'm well used to walking the Brompton by now, so that wouldn't be a problem! I was looking over at that area from the train, on my from Chepstow to Gloucester - looks very interesting. I'll definitely have to visit it before long 👍
Haha! Yes, good kit lasts ages. I still have some Campagnolo Super Record gears which I bought in 1986... and they look immaculate . (Back in the days when racing bikes only had 5 or 6 sprockets, these were the bee's knees) A collector's item now.😁
@@Gladysthenarrowboat Yes that’s right, although the grave yard was very muddy when I went so I didn’t have a proper look at all of it but I was there in the depths of winter. A lot of high quality stuff from back then! I can’t imagine going back to small sprockets though. I need my low first gear these days 🤭
Thanks Madison. Hmm... it's probably too muddy to wade out to the scuttled boats even at the best of times. But maybe I can get a closer look. Hope so.
Yeah, when I used to race (another life, and a long time ago...) we used a 53/42 chainset with 12-17 or 13-18 sprockets. But even then, I rarely used top gear and I always needed my 24 tooth biggest sprocket when out climbing the hills near home, such as Llangynidr mountain... I doubt I could manage anything like that today - even with the 26 tooth on my road bike! ☹️
I love the overgrown paths, that's how it should be at this time of year 🌿 How long is the Over stretch?
Hi Hilary! Yes I agree - there's nothing worse than overly manicured paths! It was very overgrown at the end of the stretch - I estimate it's half a mile to a mile in length. 🤔
Jeff, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust have shared this video on their Facebook page. The link is included in the post about boat trips 🚣♂️
That's brilliant Hilary - I just had a look😁 . Many thanks for letting me know! 👍