The tranquility of the canal system in England is astounding. Everything goes above the canal system (unless you are on a viaduct in which case, you have fresh air below).
The canal surface is perfectly flat and unless you are using the lock system, there is no flow. Stop and moor up and by the time the last knot on the mooring rope is threaded, the ripples of your journey will have faded. The JPEG jaggies of the smooth edge of the bridge parapet reflection in the mirror image in the water have smoothed out — never to return unless by cranking the compression in your photos too high.
This is “the fastest way to unwind”.
The wind may sough above, but the trees and bushes along each bank cancel this out. Fruit — elder berries, brambles and sloes amongst the myriad berries that are more suited to birds, hangs heavily and drags the branches down to the water. This harvest seems not to be appreciated by the passer-by. To be truthful, on most towpaths, there are few walkers. On busy parts of the systems Lycra clad cyclists spurt past, oblivious to what in my nana’s time was an indispensable part of living in the country. Elder berry wine followed elder flower wine and fingers were stained from picking the blackberries.
The first of the Kennet & Avon Sloe Gin has been bottled — we are doing our best to redress the balanced
