The old Louth Navigation Canal is often just referred to as the Louth Navigation. It must be well over ten years since I last took a stroll alongside what remains of the canal. It is not navigable as there are no longer any locks. Their sites have been turned into weirs. The route of the canal runs from Louth, in Lincolnshire, to Tetney on the coast where it meets the North Sea. We had a grand hour or more walking a short section.
This was the first time I had started at the start. In the past I have parked in a lay-by and joined the towpath / footpath somewhere along its route. There is parking by the Navigation Warehouse ......
(Google Earth view on the iPad:)
.... and a short walk down the nearby road leads to the canal footpath by the site of the Town Lock which now houses a tilting weir so that the flow of water away from the town can be controlled.
The first section of the walk is close to the edge of the built up area and has many lifebelt stations in case of emergencies as the canal level is well below the footpath and steep sloping unfenced edges are a trap for the over adventurous. It is so nice in these days of 'elf and safety' to have uncluttered views.
Not a lot to be seen on the wildlife front. Near the edge of town was a large group of ducks though not a single youngster to be seen.
There are other areas nearer the centre of Louth where most congregate so maybe they breed in that area.
One lonesome Water Hen
Plenty of wild plants to be seen including bindweed ....
.... what looked like giant rhubarb plants
Thanks Jan for the ID - Burdock - reminded me of the Dandelion and Burdock drink I adored as a nipper.
.... plus ????? .....
Thanks Jan for the ID - Himalayan Balsam
.... and a lonesome poppy.
Penny was having the time of her life investigating everything she could reach though she remained on her lead. It was good training for her as we met many other people walking their dogs.
She was as good as gold saying hello to those which were friendly and staying out of the way of those which appeared more fractious. We met one other greyhound and owner and chatted for a while before continuing on our way.
All in all it was a very pleasant walk. Hard to believe that only a few yards to our right was a line of houses. Every one we met said hello - such a friendly atmosphere - we will no doubt visit again in the not too distant future.
We kept going until we reached the site of the next lock (Keddington Lock) which is no more though the brick pillars which supported the lock gates can be seen either side of the weir.
At which point we about turned and retraced our path back to the Navigation Warehouse.
A bit of video of the two weirs seen on our outing.
Although the water seems to be fast flowing the canal itself appeared slow moving and the water was murky with soil being washed down by recent heavy rainfall.
The Louth Navigation Canal is looked after by the Louth Navigation Trust whose official site can be visited HERE.
Hi John, I'm so glad you were able to find a bit of decent weather to get out and it must have been a lovely adventure for Penny especially as it sounds like she made some new friends. You certainly took some lovely photos. It sounds and looks like a really nice walk!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the pink flower is Himalayan Balsam and I think the one that looks like Rhubarb is probably Burdock.
It seems a rare event this summer to find a bit of decent weather which lasts a whole day. Penny really enjoyed her trip out, as did I. The walk is nothing much wildlife wise but none the less a pleasant place to visit.
DeleteMany thanks for the IDs - they look about right to me.
Thanks again Jan for the ID, now added to the main text. It brought back memories of drinking Dandelion and Burdock as a youngster. Do they still make it I wonder.
DeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteA lovely stroll alongside the water. Certainly makes a change not to be threatened by rain and you made the best of it. Have a good week.
It did Frank - after weeks of not knowing what the weather would do in half an hours time it was great to be able to go out and expect a sunny walk.
DeleteEnjoyable walk John. Amazing how the sunshine brings out the best in folk. lol
ReplyDeleteIt does Keith. Smiling faces made a change from glum looks as people dived for cover from the rain.
DeleteNice outing for you and Penny. You have been drowning in too much rain and we have a drought. Even though it "averages out" it is painful all around. We did get a nice 1/2 inch rain on Friday, but could use another 3 or 4 inches.
ReplyDeleteIt was Wilma. Amazing that a few months ago we were in severe drought conditions then threatened by flooding in some areas for weeks on end.
DeleteHello again, John. I agree with everyone above including Jan with your plant ID. That’s a bit of an unwelcome non-native, invasive thug that one and very costly and not necessarily successful to clear as its seeds freely float down river edges and it pops up everywhere. Apparently both bumble and honey bees love it and appear to like it more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the sun, thanks for sharing your area of the world – great images. Hope the weather is kind to you both this week :-)
Hello Shirl. We seem to be getting more and move of the invasive plants as the years go by and as you say they are difficult to eradicate or even control.
DeleteWeather is so variable: Sunday sunny, Monday dull with rain, today sunny again.
Shirl is right about the Himalayan Balsam. I was given some for my garden some years ago and it looked beautiful but my goodness it was invasive!!! I did manage to eradicate it eventually by lots of hoeing and pulling :-)
ReplyDeleteMy Nan used to make Dandelion and Burdock wine! I don't remember the one you mention but my husband does, he says it had a sort of hinged stopper?
I remember those hinged tops. Like ginger beer I think it had to be in a strong bottle with a tightly fitting top.
Delete