there is still quite an extensive network of canals here: <http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers>
They fell into disuse and many became clogged with weeds, or were filled in, but in the 1950s and 60s people started to become aware of this, and of their potential for leisure activities, continued industrial use, industrial heritage, and as wildlife corridors. A major restoration effort was undertaken, and continues even now. They can be a very enjoyable way to get around. I have several times cycled from Greenwich around the Grand Union Canal from Limehouse via the East End, Camden Lock, Little Venice, Regent's Park, Paddington &c. as far out as Heathrow and back in to join the Thames at Brentford for the riverside route back here. It's about 50-60 miles of traffic-free cycling in the midst of London, with large number of great pubs along the way. There are also many canals which can take you right out of London into the countryside, avoiding motor traffic altogether for anyone who fancied a weekend cycling. Many of the canals in SE London were filled in when they became uneconomical in the 19th century, and railway lines were built over them. You can still see the remains of the canal architecture all over the place though. B > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Bob Sullivan > Sent: 18 July 2010 12:16 > To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List > Subject: Re: What you all missed > > Christine, > I first saw these canal boats in Cotty's pictures from Camden Lock in London. > I was quite surprised to see them again in Birmingham, 2 hours away. > Before railroads, there was water transport. Think Erie Canal over here... > Regards, Bob S. > > On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 4:41 AM, Bob W <[email protected]> wrote: > >> > >> What is the woman doing in this one, Bob? I don't understand. > >> http://www.web-options.com/BAGAM/content/L1000052_large.html > >> > > > > there's a French restaurant just out of shot. She's one of the > > waitrons and is operating the industrial-strength garlic press. The > > hi-viz jacket is a legal requirement in the EC for women* whose > > husbands allow them outdoors without a burqa. > > > >> Funny! > >> http://www.web-options.com/BAGAM/content/L1000011_large.html > >> > >> A very playful set. Thanks for posting. Cheers, Christine > >> > > > > Thanks. It's also possible that she's operating a lock on the canal. > > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjDZAvA95Gs> > > > > *She's not really a woman actually - she's only about 10 years old. I > > think she's probably the daughter of some or all of the Danish people > > in one of the earlier shots. > > > > B > > > > > > -- > > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > > [email protected] > > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
