Tuesday 5 April 2016

Floating Container

 

IMG_3534We pulled pins at 10.15 which pleased Curly as she is not so keen on the early starts like me. Opposite Thrupp marina we came across this strange looking craft.

IMG_3536Its simple really although a bit of a Heath Robinson design .I’m sure its very roomy inside although maybe a bit dark as well. I bet it would have cost a lot less than a normal narrowboat to build . We will just have to wait and see if this new design of inland watercraft catches on. Mind you I don’t think I would buy shares in the company building them….

IMG_3538We arrived at Gosgrove and after dropping down the lock we were surprised to see it nearly full with boats and with just one mooring left we pulled in and moored for the night.

IMG_3540After mooring it was off for a walk and down under the aqueduct and through the old Horse tunnel.  Duck !

IMG_3543Oops! looks like someone has problems with their pumps . I think these are used to pump water from the River Great Ouse and up into the canal to keep it in water. After many years working with pumps I just had to see what was wrong with them . One was seized solid while the other one lying down made an awful noise when I turned the impeller. A costly repair I would think.

IMG_3546Looking back at the Cosgrove Aqueduct and those poor sickly pumps. .

IMG_3544The Iron Trunk Aqueduct is a magnificent Georgian structure, which carries the Grand Union Canal over the River Ouse. Built in 1811 by canal engineer Benjamin Beavan, following the collapse of the previous brick-built structure, the aqueduct stands at an impressive 10.8 metres high and connects Wolverton with Cosgrove Village.

IMG_3547Curly and Carolyn looking at where the original locks crossed the river before the aqueduct was built .Initially flights of locks, four at the southeast and five at the northwest, were used to allow the canal to descend to cross the river on the level, and this arrangement came into action in 1800. But during floods the crossing of the river became impossible so an Aqueduct was built.

We will just have a night here before moving on in the morning and doing a Tesco shop as we pass through Wolverton.

                                                                                                      Happy Days

6 comments:

  1. The container boat was in Cosgrove the other weekend, so at least it can move. They haven't exactly done the bow with much finesse, though...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Adam , Wouldn't it be great if you did a test on this boat !! It sure would be interesting ...

      Delete
  2. Yes wouldn't it! We saw this boat, or one very like it, on our way into London about a month ago. So either he moves a reasonable distance or there is a builder out there producing them.
    Kath (nb Herbie)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kath ,We saw one being done on a TV programme several months ago and they had a budget of £50,000. But that one was on a pontoon and in a marina. It would be good to look inside and see how they have fitted it and how much room here is ..

      Delete
  3. Love your blog the best canal blog going keep it up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for your comment. As long as we are boating I will try and keep it going....

      Delete