I’ve written before about how I live close to a stretch of the Grand Union Canal, and how I often walk to work along the canal path (a rather splendid way to start the day, if I’m honest).
The walk takes me past modern developments and old lock cottages, passing by an ancient pub and under several bridges, though I’ve found no trolls to date, thank goodness!
There are boats I see regularly moored, people with whom I exchange greetings and conversation, such as the man who discussed collecting autumn leaves with me, peering out from the low door of his picturesque narrow boat. He felt the red ones were the most special of all, and would preserve them between plastic laminate.
The canal changes with the days, sometimes alive with ripples, or flecked with gossamer seed from the overhanging trees. I’ve seen silver fish jumping, kingfishers and herons, watched swans grow from egg to chick to graceful grey birds, following their snowy parents along the dark water.
At times the water is as smooth and flat as glass, an illusion so perfect you almost feel you could step on it and it would hold your weight, so solid does it seem. On these days it perfectly reflects; as above, so below.
And so it was the other morning when I walked to work. I couldn’t linger too long, as I had somewhere to be, but I couldn’t resist taking these shots. And I thought I would share them with you.
Happy weekend, everyone!
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Helen Glynn Jones 
Such lovely photos of the canal Helen. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Thanks so much, Miriam! Wishing you a lovely weekend too 🙂
Thank you for sharing these, Helen! They’re beautiful! What a special spot to live. 🙂
Thanks, Louise! I’ve always lived near water and, when I lived in Melbourne, I used to walk along the Yarra to work. Now I’m living inland I get my water fix along the canal – there are even gulls that follow the waterways inland! I do feel very lucky that I can walk to work this way 🙂
So beautiful.
Thanks, Cathy 🙂
Lovely! The best part of living in Bordeaux was being able to walk along the Garonne. Cities without rivers don’t seem complete somehow.
I agree! They’re like a living heart among all the concrete and stone 🙂 I’ve lived near water for so long it’s strange to live inland, so at least I can walk along the canal to get my fix
🙂
wow..what a beautiful place!
Thanks, Walter 🙂 it is a lovely walk
I have always been jealous of your morning commute, never more than today. I’d like to live for a year in one of those canal boats and write my next book there.
Aw, Craig – I think it would really suit you, too 🙂 And thanks, I know how lucky I am to have that walk nearby
Oh Helen, the peace in this post….I love the pics, especially the trees so beautifully mirrored in the canal. ❤
Thanks, Jane – it is a very peaceful place to walk, and a nice way to start the day 🙂
Beautiful Pictures, Helen. But so you know, fairies also live under bridges. Bid them good morning when you pass–it will bring you luck. 🙂
Aw, that’s lovely, Linda – I’ll remember to do so! 🙂