It's hard to believe that a few hundred years ago pre diesel, petrol vehicles that these towpaths were the main hub of commerce, when a whole range of goods from flax, coal, grain were barged around the country on man - made fairly shallow canals.
Bargees used horses to tow long, flat bottomed wooden boats filled with goods. They encountered bridges, tunnels and hand operated wooden lock gates with lock - keepers who lived beside the locks and who kept their areas in good order.
As the industrial revolution gripped and progressed toward steam/diesel and Rudolph Diesel and Henry Ford revolutionised four wheel transport, horses & flat boats became redundant and so these main arteries of trade died.
Two hundred years later they are really a great benefit to the public as open spaces to walk, jog, cycle and dog walk. They are maintained by skill less local councils that fail to maximise their potential.
They provide spaces for wildlife, wild plants including weeds (let's face it weeds are just plants that humans determine are in the 'wrong place' just like insects become pests as humans determine they have the 'wrong' appetite).
I go early mornings or late nights when it's quiet sometimes with a demented Bichon Frise as a companion - it has that little sense it could be the chief executive of our local council.
This towpath, which is living history of a gentler commercial time and with no man made lighting, goes for over 20 miles through beautiful gently undulating countryside. It's a joy to have these peaceful places largely untouched and mostly un spoiled so let's keep it that way. read more
