I expect you have already realised that I've connected my picture today to a famous song, more of that later. I went down to visit my local canal to find a nice capture and this is within a mile of my village.
This is the Stroudwater Navigation Canal and on the other side of the town of Stroud it continues as the Thames and Severn Canal, which is what it was all called at one time. The canal cut England in half and you could travel from the River Severn in the West to the River Thames in the east.
It first opened in 1779 with the second part towards London in 1789. The main cargo was coal from Wales and was very busy up until 1922. It finally closed for through traffic in 1954 with many parts being filled in.
The reason why I called it troubled waters was because the state it was left in, places missing, and many parts overgrown with water weeds. In the 1970's it was decided to try and reopen the canal, at least up to Stroud and hundreds of volunteers have worked hard to open parts, including this part in the picture.
However to get it completely open through to the River Severn there is a missing mile to dig out and currently they are trying to open up a railway bridge that was filled in and only a small tube underneath for flowing water.
Where the work has been completed, which includes new locks and swing bridges, it's a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the wildlife that lives along it. In the meantime enjoy the song that I have linked to it.
Wonderful work is being done on our canal system. The same here on the Lancaster Canal. Lots if work was done several years ago doing exactly what’s been done to your canal. Filled in stretches linked it up through Preston Port so you can go further south…etc. Etc. The canal system is a beautiful treasure for our country & I hope the good people who strive to open up many more miles receive much power to their elbow!
Sorry I went on a bit then & your photo is lovely Heather.
Sorry I went on a bit then & your photo is lovely Heather.
You might consider tagging it for the song title challenge: https://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/45572/songtitle-78