Junction

From a distance this is a typical canal view complete with a couple of boats and a bridge but lets stroll nearer

to Bridge Number 208 on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, a modern building reflected beyond, but take a different perspective from the other side

as it would have appeared in the 18th Century, although there would have been no trees and the house would not be falling into dereliction.  Both structures were built in 1774 but whereas Junction Bridge is a historically listed and protected, surprisingly Junction House is not.  In its time it has been a warehouse and home to millwrights and engineers and in the 19th Century one half was lodgings for old boatmen and the other half housed a canal toll office.

The bridge is structurally sound but in the 1970s rather than sympathetically restoring the sets they just slapped concrete on it. 

This stretch of water is the reason it gets the name Junction.  I managed to squeeze into a bit of banking to get the bridge into the photograph but the more pristine view without all the metal

would be this.  What at the time was the junction of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal with the Bradford Canal and at the height of the Industrial Revolution mills would have been spinning wool and this little corner would have been throbbing with the activity of industry and transport.  Problems with the water supply to the Bradford Canal closed it in 1867 but despite a stretch reopening it proved unprofitable and closed for good in 1922.  All that is left today is this 30 metres (98ft).  On the plus side there are 127 miles (204K) of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal to enjoy.  Even better with an unintended piece of synchronicity I'm spending a few days by the side of it this week.

   

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at J here

Hand on the Tiller

In a May of uncertain weather this rainbow tiller brightens up the canal-side perhaps waiting for its trip along the water when the helmsman manoeuvres it to provide leverage in the form of torque to turn the rudder. Staying with the nautical theme I'll take you to London's Trafalgar Square

where Nelson's Column has a new companion, yes its Shaun the Sheep turned out with a tricorne hat just like the one Admiral Nelson is wearing. Are you ready for your close up Shaun?

Here is Nelson Shaun with his decorations and, as we are in Trafalgar Square, there is a pigeon included. I'd forgotten hearing there was a temporary Shaun the Sheep Art Trail in London otherwise I'd have downloaded the app and driven my companion to distraction by tracking some of  them down. As it was I found another two by accident  but there are 50 across the city.  They have been created by artists, designers and celebrities and will be there until the end of May when the show moves on to the home of Aardman Animations, Bristol, where a further flock of 70 will appear.  Eventually they will be auctioned off to raise money for two children's charities. See more Shaun in the City here   (and that app).

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at T here

Zest

I zeroed in on this sign while walking by the Chester Canal and knew that the last, and one of the difficult,  letters of ABC Wednesday, was in the bag.  The sign is advertising a kitchen/bathroom design company called Zest.  I imagine you could still deliver goods by water to the rear of this property judging from the large doors.

although the growth along the banking tells me that in actuality it will be delivered to the other side by road. Yes the canal nowadays is for leisure pursuits whether on or

by the side of the water.  These retirees with a zest for life have stopped for a chat with the zealous fisherman as the canal moves away from Chester past Boughton.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet now at its natural end -Z

ABC Wednesday - Peregrination

For the perfect peregrination sometimes a little effort is required, gets the heart palpitating when winding

for water filling up the lock, two barges parked in parallel

but lots of other mechanical things to do while the pooch is patrolling along the top, meanwhile the driver

is relaxing having a powwow with a fellow peripatetic bargee on their rise up to the next part of the Chester Canal

The gates open and the journey continues. This canal has lots of possible destinations because it is is part of the Shropshire Union Canal, and as its name implies it is a union of many.  We walked a small stretch at the weekend and

on the way back another two barges were going the other way.  The Lock Keepers cottage (c1800) is a listed building, including its walled yard and privy which used to drain into the sluice-way under the house. Happily the latter aspect is not listed, modern plumbing rules.

 

 The object of our peregrination was to walk around the medieval walls of the city of Chester , our entry point being by the side of this dovecote which was in possession of pigeons who suddenly flew into the air as I snapped my photograph.

Pop over to ABC Wednesday for more words beginning with P

ABC Wednesday - N

Just down the road from Natland is the village of Endmoor and their millennium clock and a little bit of nature surrounding it. What time is it, well look at the numbers. Maybe after a good lunch it will be time to have

a cat nap. Not that this is anywhere near any of the other photographs today for it is way south in the quaint town of Rye. But back on home ground and the

navigable part of Lancaster Canal. Part of the far northern reach is dry because it was cut across by a motorway, but for years there have been plans for it to be re-watered and brought back into navigation, not in my life time I suspect, but it is still pleasant to walk the banks.  This weekend the season for sailing in a 

nifty nautical barge, which has been  laid up for winter, will now be taken up and down the canal by the Lancaster Canal Trust.  If the weather keeps as warm as it has been this week it will be a popular and pleasant trip.  I wonder if the weather will bring nymphs and naiads out on the water, perhaps only the insect variety.

Nip across to ABC Wednesday where there are lots more words starting with N

Window Watch

A nice window to watch the boats pass by on the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal, or watch the windows pass by from a narrow boat.

Mary the Teach is our hostess for the Windows Views and Doors Too midweek meme.