Secrets of the Stroudwater - Part Two - The Ocean

In the second part of this new series looking at little known histories of both the Stroudwater Canal, and the canals that came before it along the same route, I turn my attention to the well known stretch of water on it called The Ocean.
I explore when and why it was created. It is very different to what you may have learned previously.
#canal #gloucestershire #cotswolds

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, wonderfully well researched as usual. Interesting watch. Take care. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Ron!
Glad you enjoyed this Canal Series video.
Yes, I only recently learnt about this map - and it's significance regarding The Ocean.
Take care,
Paul

[@DarylW426]

Hello Paul. This certainly did not disappoint. Wonderful history and to see it today it is quite beautiful and peaceful. Thank you👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Daryl!
Glad you enjoyed it.
It is a lovely spot to enjoy nature.
Take care,
Paul

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A very interesting and informative video, which throws light on what must probably be, the Stroudwater's, most popular spot.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Malcolm.
Glad you enojyed it.
Yes, I would say it probably is the Stroudwater Canal's most popular spot - I had to film it early in the morning to avoid lots of passers by.
Take care,
Paul

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Paul - greetings from Poland
What a wonderful video. Very interesting and full of historical facts and information about the The Ocean and its' surroundings. What a shame we couldn't see the map you mentioned because of copyright.
Your memory of all that information you gave us is incredible. Mind you, perhaps you used a teleprompter!!!
Do you practise your commentary before filmimg starts?
Loveky montage of still photographs at the end of this excellent video

[@westcountrywanderings]

Hi Michael, and thank you!
No, no teleprompter. I write the script close to filming, usually the day or evening before, as I find writing helps my memory. I keep the script in my pocket, and look at it between filming each segment. I couldn't remember all of it in one go!
I don't do any practising, but sometimes I need to do more than one take. However, I will do a recce of a new location, if possible, to work out the best places and angles and positions, and quieter places and times. for me to stand prior to filming. This saves time on the day of filming itself.
Thanks for your kind words.
Take care,
Paul

[@michaelmiller641]

Thanks,Paul for that lovely video, and some excellent photography. The aspect ratio you set for the stills seems to work quite well!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Michael!
Thanks for your kind words about my photography.
Take care,
Paul

[@cathydyer3774]

Thank you Paul for the history about the Ocean. So it was very different when it was a Roman vineyard and just fields.. Also where would we be without all the old maps? 🙂

[@westcountrywanderings]

Oh, gosh yes! Old maps! The National Library of Scotland's online (free!) database is the TH-camr's friend.
Unfortunately, there is a copyright on the Levi Ball map (it is a one off map, not an OS or Bartholomew sort of map, so I could not show it in the video.
The vineyard that I mentoned isn't far away and it is huge!
The Romans knew there stuff when it came to planting vineyards, and the best micro climates, soil and drainage - all before the technology available at wine producers hands these days.
Thank you Cathy!

[@dianarolph1770]

Lovely wintry photography at the end.
Thanks for doing the research and finding out just what was the origins of the ‘Ocean’. I wonder why it got the name ‘Ocean’ - seems more than an exaggeration? Beautifully presented!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Diana!
I have tried to find the answer to that question of how The Ocean has been so named for a long time. It looks like it was called The Ocean shortly after it was built - maybe a canal navvie's sense of irony?
Thanks for a lovely comment.
Take care,
Paul

[@faithg9766]

What a wonderful place, thanks for all the maps & photos.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Faith!
Yes, it is a rather special place, and apart from the (most welcome new Railway Bridge) this part of the canal probably looked the same over 100 years ago, especially with the church and Nutshell (humped back bridge in shot) in the background.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Take care,
Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Paul, really well researched video, thoroughly enjoyed watching, well done!!
The old railway bridge seemed really narrow, even for narrow boats, the new bridge opens the channel up but it's lost its charm for the moment. I wonder if we will ever look back at these concrete structures with nostalgia?
Some people lament the loss of the Tricorn Centre (Portsmouth) a real 1960s monstrosity, It was voted the 3rd ugliest and most hated building in the UK. Prince Charles is said to have described it as "a mildewed lump of elephant droppings". But I grew up with it, my sister worked there, I bought my first record there so they can all get stuffed!!! I digress, sorry!!
Your troupe of Swans looked magnificent today .... it must be quite a job getting them to pose for you each time🤔🤔😅😅😂😂😂. I could see them in an old black and white photo under the swing bridge on the Stroud water history site together with this inscribing on the stones nearby:
"Ocean ageless wave, Lying still and timeless here, In the Old Red Sand".
The European weather map tells of snow, Michael will be snowed in and maybe the UK, we will have some too high up. Wrap up well!!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you David!
Yes, the new bridge isn't the most elegant of designs! Maybe it will weather in! Better than that horrid culvert though that it replaced.
Hope you have a great weekend - it is snowing here now - but I don't think it will settle. Take care, Paul 🙂👍

[@royedwards8713]

Hi Paul another nice video 😊

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Roy!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Take care,
Paul

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

Quite a story and you narrated it well divulging all that interesting history. A very interesting discovery regarding the origins of the Ocean. Your knowledge is awesome. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and historic knowledge. 🇳🇱🙋‍♀🇳🇿👌🙏

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Anita!
It was just things I had researched but others had done the ground work before me.
Thanks for a lovely comment!
Take care,
Paul 👍🙂

[@habbo12345434]

Class video, on my run route few times a week. I live in Ryeford cottage right next to the canal, a history of ryeford would amaze me as ive alwaus wondered

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you!
Yes, there may well be something on Ryeford coming up later in this 'Secrets of the Stroudwater' series.
Cheers!
Paul

[@westcountrywanderings]

Lovely to meet you today - I filmed the Ryeford locks video this morning!