Author Archives: Ed Mortimer

About Ed Mortimer

I'm a retired school teacher, now living on my Dutch cruiser in France. I'm touring as much of the canals and river systems as I can. This blog describes what I do and where I've been. I did spend 5 years on first a narrowboat, and then this boat, in Britain.

May 15

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

What a week! I moseyed back to Braunston and was able to meet up with the local bell-ringers who invited me to assist with their celebrations of VE day (also coinciding with the Daventry Branch bell-ringing outing). I rang in … Continue reading →

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May 6

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

The weather certainly had to catch up with me at some point… Monday, I braved the wind and showers to tour south to Polesworth, where I had a nice sheltered mooring, but had to use stakes. Two high-speed hire boats … Continue reading →

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May 3

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

The Trent and Mersey Canal. One of the older ‘first-generation’ canals, this one follows contours to avoid cuttings and embankments, which were expensive and difficult, when you consider everything was done by hand, men with pick and shovel, assisted by … Continue reading →

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Apr 30

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

The Erewash Canal. We proceeded to the mouth of the Soar, and then across the Trent River to Trent Lock, which is the mouth of the Erewash Canal. This canal goes northward to Eastwood and Langley mill, where it connects … Continue reading →

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Apr 26

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

We spent last night at the deep lock at Kegworth. This charming village has an old but very large church, mostly unchanged from the 14th century. Certainly, there are cosmetic changes, and some restoration work, but the church hasn’t been … Continue reading →

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Apr 25

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

Glorious spring weather has made this trip magic so far. We’ve cruised north on the Grand Union canal, and down the 10 staircase locks at Foxton. Then a detour into Market Harborough, where Tim and Sheila worked out (finally) how … Continue reading →

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Apr 21

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

On the move again. Sunday, Tim and Sheila joined me from Alberta, Canada. We drove from Manchester airport through the peak district, through the towns of Buxton and Matlock, seeing some great scenery along the way. a good introduction to … Continue reading →

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April 15

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

Wow! spring is arriving, the leaves are emerging, and I am about to start serious boating again. I’ve spent the last month concentrating on ringing: sounds goofy to those who haven’t experienced the challenges of change ringing bells, but I … Continue reading →

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Mar 16

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

A week of ‘ironworker’ experience has resulted from my volunteering to assist with the refurbishment of the Daventry bells. They had contracted with Taylor’s of Loughborough to refurbish all the clappers, and examine each of the bells for issues. I … Continue reading →

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Feb 24

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Ed Mortimer

Wow! 33,000km of travel in 9 weeks, and I am just about done with long excursions for a while. Time to get back on the canals and move slowly. I am back in Britain, moored in Braunston Marina, in Britain, … Continue reading →

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