Canal Boat Interlude

Last Friday was my birthday and to celebrate I decided to see the canal from a different viewpoint.

I have lost count of the number of times I have run alongside the Grand Union Canal. I never tire of it as everyday brings a fresh view: a new boat, changes in the vegetation, new ducks, or even a fisherman actually catching something. Over time I have developed a great attachment to the place a sense of belonging that I feel I have earned - because I run. But I have never seen it from the water, never used it for its original purpose of navigation by barge.

For my birthday I thought it would be a good idea to hire a boat and see if it is as peaceful on board as it looks from the towpath. From the outside the boats seem to chug along at a gentle walking pace, with the person at the tiller standing almost still, looking relaxed. Nothing can be done faster and there is nowhere else to go. Perfect.

Now after having tried it I can report that it is not quite so simple. For a start it is quit hard work: the locks need a lot of effort to winch up the sluice gates and push the paddles back and forth. On the boat there were only three of us (one for each paddle and one to steer) and although one person could push a lock paddle it required strength. It would not be an issue if the locks are well separated but we had to seven very close together and eighteen in all - the ultimate result was delayed onset muscle soreness, which only goes to show that fitness comes in different forms and exercise can be found in unexpected ways.

I didn't get stiff because I avoided the grunt work: not because of some sort of birthday pass but because I was the least troubled by the idea of piloting the boat into the lock without really knowing what I was doing. But piloting the boat also had its own challenges. Physically there was no problem apart from standing for a long time (not something I normally do as I am either moving or sitting ) but my inexperience forced constant concentration as I tried to keep in control of the steering: trying to remember which way to push the tiller, how far it needed to be moved, and calculating how long it took for the direction to be changed.

So not quite the easy-going slow-paced day I imagined but it was rather wonderful.

It was surprising how quickly time disappeared. One of my fears had been that, after the initial novelty, the experience might become a little bit boring. But no - the day was full. It was a great way to see the surroundings and, perhaps because of the slow pace, there were more interactions with people as we passed, those on other boats, fishermen, the one runner we passed, and at the locks people would often watch and sometimes help with the pushing. It was also good to be able to stop anywhere and have the extremely elaborate picnic prepared by my wife and daughter: moments of pure contentment.

The boat was a great interlude but now it is back to the serious relationship between me and the canal - running. Yesterday I was back along the familiar tow path but there was a change: I made a conscious effort to look about more.



P.S. The photo of ducklings was taken last year but one of the pleasure of the outing was passing similar groups of fluffy little mallards. It felt as if spring had suddenly arrived.