Today was spent mostly on canal towpaths. In fact, thanks to a silly navigation error, I spent rather more time on canal towpaths than I should have done.
It seems odd, in a way, to remember that this tranquil setting was a vital part of England’s industrial heritage – a folk song describes building the canals as “scarring the face of England”.
I continue to be impressed with the ingenious simplicity of the canal system. Although modern narrowboats have engines, originally the canal boats would have been pulled by horses – this explains the presence of towpaths aLongside the canals. A horse could pull far more in a boat than on a wagon, particularly given the appalling state of 18th century roads. The other ingenious feature of the canals is the locks. England is not flat. To get around this, the canal builders used locks – essentially a short length of canal with a gate at each end separating two different levels of canal.
To move to a lower section, the narrowboat would open the gate at the higher end, pull into the lock, close the gate behind it, and slightly open the gate at the lower end. The water would drain out of the lock and lower the narrowboat down. To move from the lower section, the narrowboat would open the gate at the lower section end, move into the lock, and close the gate behind it. The gate at the higher section end would then be opened slightly, and water would flow into the lock and lift the narrowboat to the level of the higher section (the photo is taken from the closed lock gate at the higher end – the higher section water level can be seen as the dampness on the lock walls). Of course, the system ultimately depended on collecting sufficient water to keep the higher levels full, but in rainy northern England that would not be a problem.
Being Saturday, it was also a day for couples to be out along the canal.
Route: Leek to Alton via Staffordshire Way and Churned Way. Terrain: canal towpath, low wooded hills. Weather: mostly overcast, pleasantly cool. Daily distance: 31.0 km/19.2 miles. Cumulative distance: 209.9 km/130.1 miles. Accommodation: The Maltings B&B, Alton.
Come Wind, Come Weather 
Hello Simon! Jan is impressed with your mileage! The red line on your map is certainly rather impressive! You are already so far from home, and all under your own steam! I am really envious and part of me wishes I had the freedom to do such a challenge. The rest of me is very happy being a teacher, a wife, a mum… And besides, would I enjoy my own company for that long? I have often wondered whether I would even like walking alone just for 6 days. I once did the West Highland Way. I had planned to do it alone, and was excited at the prospect of doing a solo adventure. But then I mentioned it to a friend, saying that she could join me for part of it if she liked, not for a minute expecting her to join me for the entire 100 miles. It was still a great experience, but not a solo experience. And getting the time out to go solo is complicated with a 7 and a 9 year old to think about.
I am sure Kirsten will be letting you know how much she like Mr and Mrs Mallard tomorrow. In her comment today, she meant to say that instead of replying to two of your entries, she wanted to save herself the trouble, and ‘like’ two days in one comment. I am not sure she made herself that clear. Still, we are so pleased at her interest in your adventure, and we like the way she is writing independently. Jan and I just enjoyed reading today’s entry. Do they not have canals in Canada?
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Hi Simon – Great progress! You’ve covered a lot of ground my friend – love the photos. Happy to see/hear things are going so well – the diversions and local colour add fun to the adventure. Cheering you along from Alberta.
Chris
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