Paddling the Grand Western Canal

Hamey and I did a "Selfie" (*) this morning and sought out a new spot to take a walk, along a delightful path through woodland, not far from the main London to Penzance railway line. The first section is alongside a tiny remnant of the Grand Western Canal, which joined the Bristol Chanel, via R. Parrett through Bridgwater, to the English Chanel, joining R. Exe at Topsham and Exeter Canal.

The Somerset section of the Canal was closed in 1867 and has mostly disappeared from the landscape. This piece is a few hundred yards long and is maintained by volunteers. It is, in reality, a tranquil, semi-formal pond with water lilies and irises, in an informal setting shaded by woodland.

In the background, the stone structure is all that remains of one of seven iron boat lifts; these opened in 1839 and were the earliest tug boat lifts in the UK, with standard brilliant Victorian engineering. The elevated section is now completely dry.

And on our return, needless to say when Flash momentarily 'disappeared from the landscape' rather closer to the road that was comfortable, the pondy bit was the obvious place to look: there she was, having a quiet paddle about in the (murky) water. Tug, tug.

*I redefined the "Selfie" back in April. Author/raconteur Will Self had been talking on BBC Radio Four a few days before and commented that most people, metaphorically speaking, always turn right and never turn left. So I decided to start 'turning left' little bit more often and the first occasion involved a visit to Porlock Weir. Flash was extremely happy leaping about in the water and spuddling about with Hamey on the beach. Since then, we three have turned left more often and, speaking for myself, I think it has raised my spirits! I commend Will Selfies to the House!