Old Waterway Photograph (9)

Collecting postcards, or Deltiology as it is known, is a fascinating hobby. Our recent history has to a point been documented by postcards. It's curious in a way even with all the wonderful advances in technology. It's hard to believe that the good old picture postcard is still with us and still going strong. I did a posting on collecting old photographic postcards. Which gives some simple background information about what is an interesting hobby.  Click Here

Grand Union Canal, Rickmansworth. Is what it says on the photograph. Here a group of working boats and buttys seem to be waiting for orders. The boat pole is being used to hold a boat out from the towpath edge. A lack of leaves on the trees combined with the rising smoke give a wintery feel to the photograph.

The Grand Union Canal is part of the UK canal system. Its main line starts in London and ends in Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles (220 km) with 166 locks. It has arms to places including Leicester, Slough, Aylesbury, Wendover and Northampton. At Cowley, the canal begins to climb the valley of the River Colne following a north-westerly course to Uxbridge After Denham and Harefield, it passes to the south of Rickmansworth. Here it merges with the Rivers Chess, Colne and Gade. After Rickmansworth, the canal follows the valley of the River Gade, a tributary of the River Colne, passing the site of Croxley paper mill.