Our first stop was Hatton Locks. Years ago, before many of the roads were built in England, businesses transported their goods around the country using the canal system.....a man-made, narrow waterway system. 'Narrow Boats' were used to carry the goods. They were as described, very long and narrow, so they could easily pass each other.
Whilst constructing these waterways, 'locks' were introduced to get around the problem of hills. The 'lock' had a water gate at each end. The boat would enter the lock through one gate and the gate was closed behind them. Then the other gate was released a small amount and the 'lock' containing the boat would either rise or lower to the next level. Once at the correct level, that gate would fully open and the boat would sail on.
Hatton Locks was completed in 1799 and is the 
largest chain of locks in the United Kingdom, with a total of 21 locks. On a good day, it takes 2.5 h
ours to climb or descend all of the locks!
largest chain of locks in the United Kingdom, with a total of 21 locks. On a good day, it takes 2.5 h
ours to climb or descend all of the locks!
Sounds like you're keeping up your exercise regime Kate!
ReplyDeleteNot quite! I should have mentioned that the 2.5 hours would be if you were climbing the locks in a narrow boat. By foot, it would probably only take about half an hour.....and there is ice-cream on the way!
ReplyDelete