Not all the houses are built sideways on - this is facing out to the street and river with balconies around two sides so it is still possible to sit in the shade.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
recycling
A lot of the old roads are made with large cobbles, they have an interesting history, when this was part of the Empire and English ships were tied up here every day they came across 'in ballast' and emptied out here to take back whatever was required back home. This ballast was seen as a useful resource by the locals who rescued it and paved the roads! We tried to tax them on it however!
protection from slaves climbing in
The same house shows a good example of the rotating spikes installed not in deter modern day thieves but to keep out rampaging slaves in the days when they were revolting against their enslavement.
Typical house facing sideways
I've not mentioned this before but many of the house here are built 'side on', with the front of the house facing sideways. This is a good example, not the large balconies to sit and catch the breezes, if its 70 in December how hot can it be in July? What looks like a front door is more like a sie gate opening on the the lower balcony or yard.
Tiffany
And of course you could always have Tiffany glazed windows around the door.
Note they are now protected by bullet proof glass - not because of 'drive by shootings' but hurricanes.
Note they are now protected by bullet proof glass - not because of 'drive by shootings' but hurricanes.
Undecided
And so you are children of rich parents who promise you a house as a wedding present, but you just cannot decide on a style......
So split the house and build one half rounded and the other square !
So split the house and build one half rounded and the other square !
Charleston man made out of hats
I just love the Charleston Hat Man. You see him painted on the side of a building on the corner of Broad Street and maybe State or Church Street? At any rate, he's the little fellow made out of hats and he's so cute and clever. (from the web)
our transport
The city has so many of these transporting visitors that they pay a 'tax' to the city whole legislate where they can go by handing them a 'route card' before they set out. There is also a municipal 'equine' cleaning van which goes around disinfecting the streets!
Our guide was good, although listening to CSI:New York for a few months helped as that was her home town.
Our guide was good, although listening to CSI:New York for a few months helped as that was her home town.
Church
The main Downtown area has a large number of municipal buildings from the past 200 years, we took a guided tour on a horse drawn carriage which gave us a good look at some of them. Look at the sky and remember this was late december - temperatures in the high 60s.
Charleston - narrow house
Our last visit was to Charleston, full of historic houses, museums and sights.
There are two extremes of houses from the 1800's, narrow like this one which has been left surrounded by modern roads and buildings.
There are two extremes of houses from the 1800's, narrow like this one which has been left surrounded by modern roads and buildings.
USA Christmas
The locals make less of Christmas than we do, mind you we met a lady in Wal-Mart stocking up with '24 hundred' lights in the sale ready for next year.
We had a very good traditional English Christmas, entertaining a friend of Alison's for dinner. It was pleasant to have a few less frantic days.
We had a very good traditional English Christmas, entertaining a friend of Alison's for dinner. It was pleasant to have a few less frantic days.
Cape Fear River Walk
Alison thought we ought to walk off our Christmas dinner (English with all the trimmings), so we went off to explore the local walk. Unlike a walk through the woods at home this was on a well made path complete with seats, drinking fountains and loos!
We also visited and were made very welcome by the family of the girl Alison lived with last year.
We also visited and were made very welcome by the family of the girl Alison lived with last year.
Local guide pointing out steep hill
And so we left Philadelphia after seeing such a lot of America's history - including the house where the first 'Stars and Stripes' was created.
Back on to the I95 (motorway) for an 8 hour drive back to Alison's home in Fayetteville.
We started early to avoid the Christmas traffic but by our standards of holiday traffic the roads were empty. We had an easy trip, helped by a large car, automatic gearbox and cruise control !
Luckily we bought the Christmas dinner the day before as by the time we got back the shops were shut.
Back on to the I95 (motorway) for an 8 hour drive back to Alison's home in Fayetteville.
We started early to avoid the Christmas traffic but by our standards of holiday traffic the roads were empty. We had an easy trip, helped by a large car, automatic gearbox and cruise control !
Luckily we bought the Christmas dinner the day before as by the time we got back the shops were shut.
Monday, December 25, 2006
HMV tower NJ2
Much of the dockside in NJ and Philadelphia is derelict,including this building with the tower boasting a stained glass window showing the HMV dog and phonogram.
NJ Waterfront looking back at Philadelphia
And then we crossed to New Jersey and the wonderful Aquarium, this is the view looking back to Philadelphia, our hotel is probably by my left shoulder.
Phili_shipbuilders
The maritime museum also has and active ship repair section, used to repair and rebuild historic craft, it is possible to stand on a vistitors gallery and watch real craftsman at work.
liberty bell
And of course a lot of American history was formed here, so a great deal is made of the constitution and the 'Libert y Bell'. A shame that is was made in England and then cracked.
not_our_hotel
The waterfront had an excellent maritime museum with the history of shipping around Philadelphia. There are also a couple of historic ships, we thought the narrowboaters amongst you would like this bathroom.
typical transport
We didn't actually use one of these, but on our last day here (saturday) they had all come out on the streets looking for the xmas shoppers to take a ride.
street of narrow houses
Many of the original house of this historic place were built around 1800 and as houses were taxed by width, they are built narrow and tall, imagine this street 200 hundred years ago, with coaches down the middle., today it is just wide enough for one car (american) between the posts.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge
And so on to Philadelphia.
To a hotel right on the waterfront - between the I95 highway and Christopher Columbas Blvd. With the Benjamin Franklin bridge and railroad just feet away! Very interesting, we got used to the noise after the first night, and it was certainly in a very convenient place
To a hotel right on the waterfront - between the I95 highway and Christopher Columbas Blvd. With the Benjamin Franklin bridge and railroad just feet away! Very interesting, we got used to the noise after the first night, and it was certainly in a very convenient place
Monday, December 18, 2006
xmas police horse
And just to show there is a lighter side to Washington, this was one of the many varieties of policeman we saw.
In cars, on sidecar motorcycles, and on pedal bike (going like the wind).
In cars, on sidecar motorcycles, and on pedal bike (going like the wind).
Jefferson Memorial
The whole of washington seems to be a memorial to something, great people who shaped the nation, or those who fought defending it.
The words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, have shaped American ideals. Today, many of these impressive, stirring words adorn the interior walls of his memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.
The words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, have shaped American ideals. Today, many of these impressive, stirring words adorn the interior walls of his memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.
north american native mask
Exhausted from the science we went to look at the Museum of the American Indian, a startling new building full of thousands of old and new artifacts. Assembled at the turn of the twentieth century by wealthy New Yorker George Gustav Heye (1874–1957).
1903 wright brothers plane
This day December 17th is a very significant day in the history of aviation.
In 1903 - The Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard, and here we were looking at the actual machine!
Not a replica but the 'real thing' - slightly mended of course after all these years.
In 1903 - The Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard, and here we were looking at the actual machine!
Not a replica but the 'real thing' - slightly mended of course after all these years.
as landed on the moon
We did the recommended 'bus' tour on Saturday taking all the sights including more museums than I care to think about, memorial to everything the US have dabbled in over the years and Arlington Cemetery.
Sunday we braved the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Very interesting to get a feel for the actual size of the rockets, space capsules and Lunar Lander, seeing pictures never really gives the real idea of the scale of things. Makes you realise how brave these people are.
Sunday we braved the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Very interesting to get a feel for the actual size of the rockets, space capsules and Lunar Lander, seeing pictures never really gives the real idea of the scale of things. Makes you realise how brave these people are.
white house
Friday saw us on the road for six hours travelling up the Interstate 95 to Washington DC, excellent if boring road.
Thanks to superb map reding by Mary we only had to drive twice around the one way system in the friday night rush hour, before reaching our hotel.
Very centrally placed only two blocks from the White House.
Thanks to superb map reding by Mary we only had to drive twice around the one way system in the friday night rush hour, before reaching our hotel.
Very centrally placed only two blocks from the White House.
Fire Department
The most exciting happening during our short stay (apart from the train that is) was the local fire engine out to get coffee!
AMTRAK
Strange place, apart from a short rush hour it’s a bit like St Albans on a wet Sunday - no signs of life. I thought I saw a train, but shortly after I took its photo it backed away from the station again, perhaps it was shy?
The street is lit by thousands of bulbs in the trees at night, just all life has moved out to the 'Mall' which as with all such out of town developments has done nothing for the centre of town shops.
The street is lit by thousands of bulbs in the trees at night, just all life has moved out to the 'Mall' which as with all such out of town developments has done nothing for the centre of town shops.
Fayetteville Market House
And so we landed in the USA on 13th, Alison collected us and left us in a downtown Fayetteville Hotel, right opposite the City Hall and Police Station! The Market House was built in 1832 on the site of the old State House, which was destroyed by fire in 1831.
It was within the walls of the State House that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1789 and chartered the University of North Carolina. Also here North Carolina ceded her western lands to form the state of Tennessee. Built on traditional 'English' lines.
It was within the walls of the State House that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1789 and chartered the University of North Carolina. Also here North Carolina ceded her western lands to form the state of Tennessee. Built on traditional 'English' lines.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Braunston on a busy day
This is what Braunston was like during the rush hour.
We moved off the next day and went up through the repaired locks and tunnel to Norton junction, stopping there the night for our final BBQ and arrived back at Crick and home to inches of junk mail and kind neighbours having cut the lawn.
And finally:-
Total hours cruising: unknown but spread over 8 weeks.
Total distance travelled: in excess of 350 miles.
Total number of locks: at least 233.
Pictures uploaded to Flickr via hp laptop and nokia mobile phone using GPRS. See http://www.filesaveas.com/gprs.html for details of how to set this up.
From Flickr the pictures were then added to this blog using the 'blog this' feature.
We moved off the next day and went up through the repaired locks and tunnel to Norton junction, stopping there the night for our final BBQ and arrived back at Crick and home to inches of junk mail and kind neighbours having cut the lawn.
And finally:-
Total hours cruising: unknown but spread over 8 weeks.
Total distance travelled: in excess of 350 miles.
Total number of locks: at least 233.
Pictures uploaded to Flickr via hp laptop and nokia mobile phone using GPRS. See http://www.filesaveas.com/gprs.html for details of how to set this up.
From Flickr the pictures were then added to this blog using the 'blog this' feature.
new collar
This vital component is what had come adrift, the pin down in to the ground had broken and so the gate flopped around in a spectacular manner for a while. But was soon mended, and traffic resumed.
men and woman at work
On arrival at Braunston, there was much activity and lots and lots of boats - all waiting for the usual efficient BW crew to mend a lock collar that had come detached from the ground, luckily we were not in a hurry so moored up for a day.
sun set over boat
Despite the change in the weather, to much cooler and wetter days, some of the evening were really glorious, this was taken by Mary in her 'artistic mode', whilst moored near Polesworth
taking a short cut
I hope the owners of these new flats like canals, because they are pretty close to the constant throb of diesel engine going up the locks. We liked the patio door on the first floor, with one left open to allow the plaster board through.
strawberry fields
So you wondered where those supermarket strawberries came from, the answer is places like this, you could smell them ripening as you cruised past.
would you want to
Would you choose to moor here, this is in the middle of all the enginnering work, coffer dams and cranes were much in evidence as the canal was having foundations for the new railway line laid in and around it, I hope they leave a decent space for boats, some new bridges are very boat friendly and other are marginally fit for one boat to squeeze through.
Waiting at the lights
So here we are waiting at the lights, just as we settled down for a long wait the lights changed and we were off again.
Light Warning
Not expected on the canal, but sometimes engineering works prevale, in this case the upgrading af the fast line from two to four track.
No comment
Fradley Junction nature park on bank holiday monday, a nice lake and wooded walk hidden behind the junction.
speed merchant
Moored at Kings Bromley, one of the modern plagues of towpath life is the constant threat of being run over!
We met a nice young lad who explained to me how he evaded all the complex barriers put up to stop him racing up and down the canal.
This man was followed by his very young son also on a motor bike.
We met a nice young lad who explained to me how he evaded all the complex barriers put up to stop him racing up and down the canal.
This man was followed by his very young son also on a motor bike.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
4mph speed limit
There is a 4 mph speed limit on the canals - but I don't think it applies to this boat (only 18 inches long and powered by battery). It has been attracting the crowds though as it skims across the water - hope it doesn't run out of battery on the far side.
The sun is out at last, so perhaps it will warm up. We are staying here today (sat) and setting off home tomorrow.
The sun is out at last, so perhaps it will warm up. We are staying here today (sat) and setting off home tomorrow.
fishing
I have yet to see a Heron catch anything, but they keep trying. Here at Tixall as mentioned last year much of the wildlife has been decimated by escaped mink, but it it coming back. Sitting here yesterday we
could see the Buzzards wheeling in the sky and deer roaming across the other side of the river.
could see the Buzzards wheeling in the sky and deer roaming across the other side of the river.
The shop next door
And so in the rain we arrived back at Tixall on our way to Great Haywood Junction and the turn south on to the Trent and Mersey pointing home. We have been sat here for a couple of days, sitting out the Thunderstorms and miserable weather, this is August Bank holiday weekend. The local Pub does 'Old Spotted Hen' on draught, so worth staying around the extra day.
The 'shop' next door to us has been selling coal, as the night time temperatures (and day time) are pretty low compared to just a few weeks ago when we started out.
The 'shop' next door to us has been selling coal, as the night time temperatures (and day time) are pretty low compared to just a few weeks ago when we started out.
Narrow with passing place
On the Staffs on Worcs canal going around Wolverhampton some of the route was hewn out of rock and was obviously so hard that the builders could only cut a narrow channel, luckily there was a passing place, I
cannot imagine what would happen if the earlier convoy arrived here all at once, the passing place was
only one boat long.
cannot imagine what would happen if the earlier convoy arrived here all at once, the passing place was
only one boat long.
over the A5
Another traffic jam here, but for the cars and not for us, something large was being escorted up the road with lots of flashing lights.
Its very strange looking at roads now and seeing the queues, we often travel parallel to railways or roads and see the speed of modern transport and then think back to the days when the canal carried all the heavy goods.
Its very strange looking at roads now and seeing the queues, we often travel parallel to railways or roads and see the speed of modern transport and then think back to the days when the canal carried all the heavy goods.
traffic jam near Wheaton Aston
Something not expected on the canal, except sometimes at busy locks and near the hire boat centres, this eventually sorted itself out but was interesting whilst it lasted as sometimes the speed we were
travelling at was below the engine tickover speed. So we had to pop in and out of gear.
travelling at was below the engine tickover speed. So we had to pop in and out of gear.
Woodpecker
Heard this bird before we saw him - probably at Gnosall where we stopped for lunch, we have seen a few Kingfishers but never keeping still enough to take a photo.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Woodseaves cutting - high Bridge
The days journey included another cutting, known for its high bridges.
We were followed a lot of the way by a canoe, but it kept vanishing, in the end I asked what they were up to, "picking blackberries" was the answer.
The end of the cutting has a double arched bridge with a telegraph pole (sans wires) in the middle.
And so we reached Norbury Junction, now a good boating centre - but not a junction as the other canal no longer exists.
Good moorings and an excellent and helpful marina.
We were followed a lot of the way by a canoe, but it kept vanishing, in the end I asked what they were up to, "picking blackberries" was the answer.
The end of the cutting has a double arched bridge with a telegraph pole (sans wires) in the middle.
And so we reached Norbury Junction, now a good boating centre - but not a junction as the other canal no longer exists.
Good moorings and an excellent and helpful marina.
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