The Grand Union Canal

[Bangyai]

When I was young , every time my parents moved home, our new house was always within walking distance of the Grand Union Canal ( Tring, Northolt, Uxbridge )so I was lucky enough to be able to cycle many stretches of it.

On my last visit home in April, the weather was perfect for cycling so I took my new camera out to take some pictures of the stretch near Uxbridge. Looking at the pictures remimded my of something I've always wanted to do, namely cycle its entire length then head north on another canal network to my other old home in Bury, north of Manchester.

It would be nice if any other members have pictures of the canal to add to the thread since it cuts through some beautiful country and takes in a lot of history as it makes its way north.

.................................................. ...

A brief history from Wiki :

This is where it begins in London. I found this picture on the Wiki site so credit
to the original photographer.



The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 220 km (137 miles) with 166 locks. It has arms to places includingLeicester, Slough, Aylesbury, Wendover and Northampton[.
The Grand Union Canal was also the original name for part of what is now part of the Leicester Line of the modern Grand Union: this latter is now generally referred to as theOld Grand Union Canal where necessary to avoid ambiguity.

With competition from the railways having taken a large share of traffic in the second half of the 19th century, improvements in roads and vehicle technology in the early part of the 20th century meant that the lorry was also becoming a threat to the canals. Tolls had been reduced to compete with the railways, but there was little scope for further reduction. The Regent's Canal and Grand Junction Canal agreed that amalgamation and modernisation were the only way to remain competitive.
The (present) Grand Union Canal came into being on 1 January 1929, extended in 1932. It was formed from the amalgamation of several different canals:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Union_Canal



This first picture is looking south from the junction of the Slough branch towards West Drayton.




View down the Slough branch from the pedestrian bridge.






Just down this branch on the left is an old pillbox, now overgrown, designed to stop those pesky Germans an easy passage to Slough industrial estate. Used to act as a short time hotel for local teenagers but now bricked up.








On the opposite side to the pillbox they have reclaimed a lot of derelict land and built a nice marina and park where a friend of mine has a barge moored. A good use of taxpayers money as it is very popular with families on a weekend.

The Marina entrance :




Bridge into the marina and nearby park :



Nice to see a compete absence of discarded plastic bags that spoil so many Thai beauty spots.




Mr and Mrs Daffy , out for a walk.




Looking north up the canal towards Cowley.




Moving up the canal to Denham Lock, where there is a very nice tea house. Meant to take some pictures of it but was in a bit of a hurry.




More to follow.....tea break first.

[Chairman Mao]

Great stuff.

How much to buy a barge and live on it?

[Bangyai]

Great stuff.

How much to buy a barge and live on it?

A bit like houses really. For an old 20 footer from 5000 pounds. For a widebeam ( 10ft instead olf 6 feet wide ) you could pay upto 150,000 pounds. On top of that you have to find a mooring which can be expensive or be a ' water gypsy ' and move on every 2 weeks, in which case you can move around for free.

Plenty to look at here :

Boats for sale UK, used boats, new boat sales, free photo ads - Narrow Boats - Apollo Duck

[Happyman]

If you get as far as Rickmansworth I will be looking for my old boat - B.J. Sultan-(45ft widebeam ) and my daughters two boats (60 and 70 ft narrowboats- she lives on them ) - 'Aint Misbehaving' and 'Llamedos' - (sod 'em all)

[Bangyai]

If you get as far as Rickmansworth I will be looking for my old boat - B.J. Sultan-(45ft widebeam ) and my daughters two boats (60 and 70 ft narrowboats- she lives on them ) - 'Aint Misbehaving' and 'Llamedos' - (sod 'em all)

I went fishing for a Happyman and I caught one !!

I've peddled up past Ricky several times but without a camera. I know you've lived on ' the cut ' and would love to get the lowdown on the life. Several times I have thought about leaving Thailand to spend a year on our wonderful waterways but every time I suggest it to the gf I get a :

" I love you, but there is no [at]%#$#[at]% way I'm going to live on a boat "

Might try her for a weeks rental on next years home visit to see if I can get her to see its attractions.

[Chairman Mao]

Would be nice for a six month holiday.

What sort of budget do you think you'd be looking at. 15,000 quid or so for a nice rental and living expenses?

[Chairman Mao]

Expensive, just on some of the renting websites and looking at 700 quid for a Friday afternoon-Monday morning.

1,000-1,500 per week.

[Bangyai]

Would be nice for a six month holiday.

What sort of budget do you think you'd be looking at. 15,000 quid or so for a nice rental and living expenses?

I'm not an expert on it just a dreamer CM. To give you an idea of just how plush a boat can be feast your eyes on the living room of this widebeam :



Rest of the this lovely boat shown here :

Aqualine Boats for sale UK, Aqualine Used boat sales, Aqualine Narrow Boats For Sale Bespoke 'Aqualine' 11' Widebeam - Apollo Duck

Basically, I think you would be looking at about 300 - 400 to hire a 6ft beam, 50foot houseboat for a week from a marina. Best thing is to look into it on the Apollo Duck website from the link given above. I've looked through this site a lot and occasionaly it is possible to get a boat for a holiday for almost free in cases where the owners are going away for a month and are just looking for someone to look after it. You have to be lucky though. I spent a weekday on my friends 50 foot boat and we went on a day trip to Hemel Hemstead. When we got there he wanted to go and shoot some rabbits ( evil sod ) but all in all it was a very laid back day indeed, especially as we both high as kites all day

[Bangyai]

Along the Uxbridge stretch of the Grand Union the canal runs alongside the river Colne and the smaller river Frays. Some very nice countryside that you can have all to yourself if you go midweek.



The river Colne and a footbridge over it from the G.U. footpath.

[masher]

Last May I stayed with my daughter who has been living in Heston/Hounslow for 5 years. I told her I wanted to ride along the tow path of the Grand Union canal. What canal she said? I took her nearby to Bulls Bridge and explained the canal or ‘drain’, in her words, went all the way north to Birmingham and in fact this was also the junction to Paddington. During my stay I rode north along to Uxbridge, west through Norwood and south to Brentford.
My Daughter suddenly realised here was a relatively safe green walking space filled with wild life and people happy to live on long boats. She now walks here regularly. Sadly where it passes alongside Southhall, the locals just throw japatis rubbish into the canal making Carp very happy and large.
I pointed out to her in this part of London most road bridges used to have a pub next to it to also service the boats. Alas, most are closed.

The most interesting engineering is near Ealing hospital at ‘Three Bridges’ where Isambard Brunel built the canal viaduct that passes over a rail line and under a road bridge. You can find photos on www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/3672250995/ -

[Bangyai]

Last May I stayed with my daughter who has been living in Heston/Hounslow for 5 years. I told her I wanted to ride along the tow path of the Grand Union canal. What canal she said? I took her nearby to Bulls Bridge and explained the canal or ‘drain’, in her words, went all the way north to Birmingham and in fact this was also the junction to Paddington. During my stay I rode north along to Uxbridge, west through Norwood and south to Brentford.

Thanks for that Masher. I've also cycled down to Bulls bridge from Uxbridge then up the Paddington arm as far as Northolt. As you say lots of wildlife and interesting engineering, especially nearer the city. My friend has a mooring in Cowley but sometimes takes his barge right upto Regents Park for a weekend in the city.

Plenty of rabbits to see if you can get close enough.

[masher]

When you take the Chiltern line from London to Brum, cos its much cheaper than the main line, you can see the canal meandering alongside the rail line for much of the way: but the train is quicker. While on the GU canal tow path near Hayes Station I nearly crapped when a intercity westbound shot overhead rupturing my peac.

[Bangyai]

While on the GU canal tow path near Hayes Station I nearly crapped when a intercity westbound shot overhead rupturing my peac.

When I was 4 years old I actually fell into the Tring arm of the canal when my grandad took me fishing. I was so keen to point out a fish swimming near the bank that I gracefully followed my pointing finger into the canal. He fished me out and apparently my first words were

" Did you get him grandad ? "

Here is the canal as it passes under the M40 just outside Uxbridge :




Nice bungalows backing onto the canal

[Bogon]

If you get as far as Rickmansworth I will be looking for my old boat

I've peddled up past Ricky several times but without a camera.

Used to sit in the pub garden of the White Bear Pub on the corner of London Road and Hatfield Road in Ricky watching the barges go by.
Also spent many Sundays up Ricky acrodrome shooting the breeze.
Cheers guys for bringing back some memories.

[Bangyai]

Just found this pic on my mobile. This is from the day we went up to
Hemel Hemstead. My friend has not had the boat long and will start renovation this summer. Hopefully will be done when we head back to the U.K. next year.

[Bangyai]

If you get as far as Rickmansworth I will be looking for my old boat

I've peddled up past Ricky several times but without a camera.

Used to sit in the pub garden of the White Bear Pub on the corner of London Road and Hatfield Road in Ricky watching the barges go by.
Also spent many Sundays up Ricky acrodrome shooting the breeze.
Cheers guys for bringing back some memories.

Had a few beers there myself as luck would have it. Used to take Filipino nurses from Harefield hospital there and try to ply them with drink.

[jandajoy]

Not wishing to go off topic, mate. Just wanted to say that one of the best holidays I've ever had was on a 75 footer from Birmingham down to Tewksbury then up to Stratford and back. It took 2 weeks and that included 3 days moored up next to the theater in S upon A.

Canal boats = Best holday ever. In the off season.

I'd recommend it to any one.

[BigRed]

I went every year fo 6 years with a group of friends on a private narrowboat. It was a great holiday and more energetic than some expected. Winding up the paddles and opening the gates can be hard work, plus in some areas there are so many locks it isn't worth getting back on the boat, justwalk to the next one.

Plenty of attractive pubs to moor up at and no drink driving laws. Funniest thing I saw was a boat coming into a lock with a bunch of Hells Angels on it. One started winding up the paddles but was so pissed that he let go of the windlass, which spun round and smacked him in the mouth. This was at 10:00am.

[Bogon]

Used to take Filipino nurses from Harefield hospital there and try to ply them with drink.

You too?

Lived 10/15 minutes from the place and actually worked just round the corner of the pub just past the acrodrome.
Thanks again .
Great post.

[Bangyai]

Not wishing to go off topic, mate. Just wanted to say that one of the best holidays I've ever had was on a 75 footer from Birmingham down to Tewksbury then up to Stratford and back. It took 2 weeks and that included 3 days moored up next to the theater in S upon A.

Canal boats = Best holday ever. In the off season.

I'd recommend it to any one.

Not off topic at all JJ. Thanks for the input and the link.
Likewise Big Red. Cheers. I think I've just about persuaded the gf to give it a go in preference to cycling to Brum .

[Bangyai]

Next up are a selection of pictures filched from the web that show the beauty and diversity of this beautiful waterway.

First....did you ever see one of these in operation ? A rollup bridge !





The approach to Little Venice in central London




And right out in the wilds near Leighton Buzzard.




More to follow.

[Mathos]

Nice thread Bangyai.

I like the photographs as well.

I hope you do a thread on the renovation of your mates House Boat.


Green for you.

[jubby]

I had a 72ft Narrowboat made before my Thailand days. I lived on it for a couple of years . I had an offer of a mooring which fell through, so I had to move on every couple of weeks like has been mentioned before. Its a great lifestyle unfortunately too many Nice pubs near the Canals and so I never finished the project. Sold it before my first trip to Thailand 15 or so years ago.

[Up2U]

Near the end of WWII I lived in a very large house in Hunton Bridge, near Kings Langley - on the canal. We were one family out of a dozen in the house, all bombed out earlier in the war.
One couple, vegetarian, concientious objectors and all sorts of other things that came into fashion many years later, used to take me along the canal banks picking stinging nettles, which they boiled and ate as a supplement to the rations we got.
(They had extra cheese, because they did not eat meat)(Unfortunately not vegans, so I didn't get their cheese ration )
Used to ride along the towpath up to Hemel Hempstead most weeks, as being the nearest town. And much better ride than the road along the valley. Got a bit tricky around John Dickinsons paper mill. Used to discharge a lot of waste into the canal in those days.

[Bangyai]

Last picture for now showing the overgrown Wendover arm slowly going to seed. Very pretty for a quiet stroll on a sunny day.