The fun part was that this narrowboat was pulled by horse power....
Oh, I so want to go on this trip too one day.
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18 comments:
What a magnificent horse! I didn't realise they still did this - does the horse pull it just a part of the way? The barges are beautiful aren't they - so colourful.
That does look like fun. We have a tow path here in the Blackstone Valley where I live. The tow path was how barges made their way up the Blackstone River from Providence, Rhode Island to Worcester, Massachusetts during the 19th c. The barges were towed by mules. The mules and barges are long gone but you can hike or bike part of the tow path.
This looks so neat!
Yes, they still do this in various places around the UK and I think there is a place in Wales that does it. This one is horse drawn for about an hour one way....the Grand Western Canal is small compared to others - it doesn't link with the big canals further north which is a pity.
sorry, meant to say, this is horse drawn an hour EACH way - up and back.
http://www.tivertoncanal.co.uk/horse-drawn-barge
It's only recently that I found out you have canals in the USA....wonder if there is any photos somewhere of the mules pulling those barges back in the day?
Yep, I know....I would so love to go on one. I've always loved barges/narrowboats, basically because I love the colourful designs on them known as Roses and Castles...the traditional design for them.
Gee up Neddy! What a great trip, I'd love to do that. Next time I'm in UK!
My parents grew up in a town in upstate New York that was part of the Erie Canal system. (Well past the canal’s heyday, of course!) Part of the canal was preserved and designated a historic location. They ran the boats, pulled by mules, as a tourist attraction. My father, being a history buff, made us ride them every time we visited. As a kid I was bored beyond tears, but I think I’d enjoy it now! Don’t know if they still do it though. Here's a website if you're interested http://www.eriecanal.org/images.html
That does look wonderful. I do believe the horse drawn barges leave from Llangollen in Wales and go as far as the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. I have walked over that aqueduct and believe me it was scary.,Originally built for the horse drawn barges to cross. Well worth a visit if you're ever in mid Wales again.
I'm really pleased our daughter got to go on that trip, but I would also love to have a trip there. We see part of the canal just before getting to the motorway -- it looks so peaceful, esp. considering the rush and go beyond, lol.
That sounds interesting Robin, I'm going to take a look at the link - thanks for that. Funny how as kids we don't like things, but when we are adults we realise where our parents were coming from with these things isn't it....ah well, such is life aye.
Yes, next time we are in mid Wales I reckon we will have to go and find it -- I've seen the aqueduct on tv and thought it looked scary it's so high. Amazing how it was built in the first place.
There used to be boats pulled by horses in the Netherlands too, but they don't exist anymore. Anyway, your countryside is so much more beautiful than ours. Thanks for sharing!
Don't the horses look majestic that pull these barges. A lovely holiday I'm sure. Hugs Mrs A.
What a pity you don't have these anymore Judy.
Yes, they're wonderful aren't they :-)
What an unusual trip. I love the photos.
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