Waffler about ditches, fairweather narrowboater. He/him.https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mn2x7q7yfk2j38: Coventry Canal A visit born out of an unintended detour through Fazeley... and a stop at the floating market. #40before40 #ukcanals #staffordshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 May 2026 11:30 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mn2x7q7yfk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mlika27mzk2x37: Swift Ditch Once the main navigation of the Thames near Abingdon. This single lock replaced an older flash lock a little down the channel. This was abandoned in the 1790s in favour of the main channel through the town (and the new W&B canal!) #40before40 #ukcanals #oxfordshire #abingdom [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 May 2026 10:25 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlika27mzk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mjtqrgjduk2f36: Wey Navigation A chance encounter this weekend, as I walked from West Byfleet to Byfleet. PTSD of Parvis Wharf here – 10 years ago loading a small launch onto a trailer then the ratchet straps went loose while barrelling down the M4! #40before40 #ukcanals #weynavigation #surrey [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Apr 2026 10:31 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjtqrgjduk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mjegwz4ke22335: Shropshire Union Canal (Chester Canal) There and back in a day (alas not just to visit a canal). Love the city and looking down at the cut from street level. #40before40 #ukcanals #chester #cheshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Apr 2026 08:25 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjegwz4ke223https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mh4ib5bxas2g34: Basingstoke Canal One of my locals, and what has become a family tradition on Mother's Day: a walk to forage for #wildgarlic! #40before40 #ukcanals #basingstokecanal #hampshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Mar 2026 17:37 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh4ib5bxas2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mee5jz4zvc2l33: Bristol Floating Harbour Feeder Canal Cut when the Avon's original course was enclosed to form the harbour, leading off the river via Netham Lock. Lovely walk (wade?) from the city centre out to Keynsham! #40before40 #ukcanals #bristol [contains quote post or other embedded content]08 Feb 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mee5jz4zvc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mds2dg23rs2o32: Limehouse Cut Looking as it curves its way to Limehouse Basin. Beneath the bridge here was (is?) the location of the southern stop lock; the other is where the canal joins Bow Creek. No more London nighttime shots now! #40before40 #ukcanals #limehouse #limehousecut #london [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 Feb 2026 09:45 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mds2dg23rs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mdrzwyuiqs2p31: Regents Canal Thought I'd posted this when I visited Little Venice a while back, but apparently not! Like the others on the canal, there were two side-by-side locks here but one was removed in the 70s. #40before40 #ukcanals #regentscanal #london #limehouse [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 Feb 2026 09:39 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdrzwyuiqs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mcs5skhe4k2b30: City Canal Now the south dock at West India Docks. The canal was cut to bypass the loop of the Thames creating the Isle of Dogs. That shortcut is no longer possible, as the western lock connecting the docks to the river is now removed. #ukcanals #london #docklands #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Jan 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcs5skhe4k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mc6fbytitk2s29: Staffordshire and Worcestershire Explored a bit between Kiddy and Kinver a few years ago, but a delightful slog down the M6 this weekend meant I had the opportunity to see the Roundhouse at Gailey. Snow from Goretti still everywhere :) #ukcanals #staffordshire #worcestershire #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Jan 2026 20:43 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc6fbytitk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mc3h72oai22228: Peak Forest Canal A lovely winter's morning walk down the Marple flight to the aqueduct. Beautiful sun coming through the branches and a lovely blue sky at the aqueduct and viaduct. #ukcanals #peakforestcanal #greatermanchester #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Jan 2026 16:39 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc3h72oai222https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3mc2nroroxc2c27: Trent and Mersey Need to step this up now. First of the new year! After the recent snowfall in the midlands, and illuminated by my headlights... Brrr! Keeper's Lock near Fradley Junction. Narrow mitred gates with wonky beams à la Staffs and Worcs. #trentandmersey #ukcanals #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Jan 2026 09:04 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mc2nroroxc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m5t44dcips2e26: Bentley Canal About ½ mile from its junction with the BCN Anson Branch. This is the boring end – all the locks were out west near the W&E. There's now a community orchard here, which is noice. 👌 And signage warning against antisocial motorcycle behaviour. #ukcanals #westmidlands #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Nov 2025 11:19 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5t44dcips2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m5su3qux3k2425: Hatherton Canal ...or at least the link between the Hatherton and Cannock Extension canals. Much like Richard III being found under that Leicester car park... guess what's under this parking bay at KFC in Cannock! It's only Churchbridge Lock #4!!! #ukcanals #staffordshire #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Nov 2025 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5su3qux3k24https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m5rsrgushs2x24: Cannock Extension Canal Suspiciously parked on the bridge to capture this 30-second exposure at about 8pm. Had to forgo getting the Curly Wyrley after this due to a road closure :( #ukcanals #Staffordshire #40before40 [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Nov 2025 22:59 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5rsrgushs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m45yvnqwuk2b23: Chard Canal Visited the canal 6 years ago but a slog down the A303 yesterday allowed a stop at the Ilminster inclined plane. This incline (one of four on the canal) lifted tub boats 82' up Herne Hill towards Chard. #40before40 #ukcanals #somerset [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Oct 2025 08:30 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m45yvnqwuk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m44h4lxyrk2522: Croydon Canal Just 27 years in use... abandoned in 1836, the first to be done so by an act of parliament Here it is running alongside Betts Park in Anerley. Ripples from a disturbed moorhen... #40before40 #ukcanals [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Oct 2025 17:39 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m44h4lxyrk25https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m3n5ux7kzc2621: River Wye It was navigated as far back as when Edward the Confessor had iron shipped from the forest to Gloucester. Here is Weir End. Gonna guess there was a flash lock nearby (once upon a time before trows and barges were replaced by canoes and kayaks) #40before40 #ukwaterways #herefordshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Oct 2025 15:44 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3n5ux7kzc26https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m3kkwg5sos2220: Lydney Canal 🎵 Whoaaaa we're halfway there 🎵 Here's the tidal basin – the gates onto the Severn are in the background. Apparently they're borked so the basin isn't usable and is chock full of river gunk. The lock is just to the right. #40before40 #ukcanals #gloucestershire [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Oct 2025 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3kkwg5sos22https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m3kkmomqwc2219: Pidcock's Canal Short tub boat canal serving ironworks and collieries up and around the Lyd valley. Perhaps misnamed as it predated the Pidcocks' management of the forges... should be Tanner's Canal! These photos are the cut passing through Lydney. #40before40 #ukcanals #gloucestershire [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 Oct 2025 14:54 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3kkmomqwc22https://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m3iajp7vik2p18: North Wilts Canal Shortish canal linking the W&B and T&S. Love this stretch down to the aqueduct over the Thames (not as grand as it may sound!). First time back since 2020. Lots going on here – junction, aqueduct, lock, basin! #40before40 #ukcanals #wiltshire #almostgloucestershire [contains quote post or other embedded content]18 Oct 2025 16:48 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3iajp7vik2phttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3m2ua3r3utk2t17: Leeds and Liverpool Canal The Stanley Locks, connecting the canal to Stanley Docks. Some wicked 1840s buildings going on here! #leedsandliverpoolcanal #ukcanals #40before4010 Oct 2025 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2ua3r3utk2thttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3lysih2tt7c2x16: Andover Canal Not much to explore on this – taken over by the railway, then that too was removed and most now on private land. But a rainy September drive through Clatford meant one thing... a climb through brambles! Last photo is at Rooksbury Mill in 2020. #40before40 #hampshire #andover [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Sep 2025 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3lysih2tt7c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3ly6yfsmwpk2f15: Maidenhead Waterways Here, the York Stream and Moor Cut meet and become the Brat Cut. The Weir has boat rollers, but there are plans for a pound lock here to eventually link the town's waterways ring with the Thames. #ukcanals #40before40 #berkshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]06 Sep 2025 20:13 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly6yfsmwpk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3ly6xqow7xc2f#14: Grand Junction Canal Splitting the GU up for this seems sensible (my game, my rules!) Startops End Bridge, with its double arch – on the right, the extant wide lock. On the left, the infilled and short-lived narrow lock. #ukcanals #40before40 #buckinghamshire #hertfordshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]06 Sep 2025 20:01 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly6xqow7xc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3ly6x4hcnns2f#13: Aylesbury Arm Another GU arm... and treated to a staircase lock at the top! Wouldn't want to travel the pound between locks 3 and 4 at the moment. But that weeping willow 😍 #ukcanals #40before40 #buckinghamshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]06 Sep 2025 19:50 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly6x4hcnns2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3ly6wq5r7gc2f#12: Wendover Canal Lovely short arm of the GU, winding past the old Tring Mill buildings on the way to Tringford Pumping Station. Plenty of damsons too – lavly! #ukcanals #40before40 #hertfordshire #buckinghamshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]06 Sep 2025 19:43 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3ly6wq5r7gc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3lxgxh55ekk2dA hint of the autumn to come this morning. LOVE IT. #ukcanals #berkshire28 Aug 2025 06:52 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxgxh55ekk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3lwjh5dn46s2n#11: Stratford-upon-Avon Canal One of my faves in the midlands. Just wandered from the Avon up the first 4 locks – the lock off the river (into the basin) is broad, the rest narrow... Check out the balance beam at Maidenhead Road Lock!!! #40before40 #stratforduponavoncanal #warwickshire #ukcanals [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Aug 2025 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwjh5dn46s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/canalboy.bsky.social/post/3lwjgjiur322n#10: Oxford Canal Despite being relatively local, I've only visited 3 times and only boated once (even then, it was from Duke's Cut to Jericho). Had a lovely pint at the Jolly Boatman at Thrupp this week. Lock and house photo from Nell Bridge Lock in 2020. #40before40 #oxfordcanal #oxfordshire [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Aug 2025 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:2mutupymcnjhtg5rog6g5tdo/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwjgjiur322n