Bridge No 61

This is Bridge No. 61 on the Stratford Canal between Stratford and Wilmcote. It is but one type of a "change" bridge (also known as roving or snake bridges) where the towpath changes from one side of the canal to the other. These bridges were so designed to allow the towing horse to cross over without having to untie it from the boat, by means of the long reins passing through the gap in the centre of the bridge. Ingenious eh?

I took this afternoon off, (which was an excellent choice, as it rained all morning, but was dry after lunch) and walked the boys along the canal for about 40 minutes, then we turned around and walked back again. That's the trouble with a canal-side walk - you often have to come back the same way.

This is a very pretty part of the canal along here. There are 11 locks in a roughly one mile stretch , which drop the canal down a total of almost 80 feet.

We didn't see a single boat out on the water today, except for several that were moored up. The boys liked it as they could see ducks and moorhens, and I think given a chance, that they would be in the water and after them.

I do hope that C (Nikonabike) and the others are having some good weather up in the Lake District today.