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.

Sept 6

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

Stanley Ferry. This is one of the major workshops for Canal and River Trust, where they make lock gates for all over. Interestingly, they are piled along the canal, and there is a constant stream of water pumped over them- … Continue reading →

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Sept 1

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

A gorgeous end to August: clear blue skies, light breeze, and some wonderful people. Rang in the very light 8 at Sprotbrough yesterday morning before church. Lots of interest in the canal experience and the travelling ringing experiences as well. … Continue reading →

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August 30

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

The end of summer really wasn’t, with a ‘shorts and t-shirt’ type of day for the trip from Rotherham to Sprotbrough. The canal/river here is very wide and deep, because there is regular traffic of the last oil barge working … Continue reading →

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August 27

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

Sheffield. A city really trying to re-invent itself, as the city changes from the industrial steel-making centre to a cosmopolitan university city, with industries that are sustainable (and not so polluting!). The trip into Sheffield was up the Tinsley flight … Continue reading →

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August 22

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

I had a chance to tour the southern Pennines, with a train ride through the southern dales (lots of tunnels) but really pretty country. Then, a drive back from Burnley where I had parked the car for the last month. … Continue reading →

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August 19

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

Barnby Dun was alternately enchanting and disappointing. A delightful village, but one where almost everyone is away. No ringing for the main service, though they were about the mot welcoming congregation I have ever met. Promises for ringing then for … Continue reading →

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August 17

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

As I moved along from Selby, I am reminded of the time of year. How things have changed over the last week. 25 km/h winds, intermittent showers, and on-again-off again clothing layers. Autumn is near! (well it feels like that … Continue reading →

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August 15

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

What a changing day! I’m in the Selby basin at the top of the lock, and when I passed through here about 2 weeks ago, there was a mat of duckweed, luminescent green, in the basin. When I arrived Wednesday, … Continue reading →

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August 14

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

I’ve enjoyed North Yorkshire greatly. There is so much history (from before the Romans, through the Vikings, and then ‘modern’ history of the English since 1066 or thereabouts. The museum (Yorkshire Museum) in York presents this very well, and there … Continue reading →

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August 9

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Ed Mortimer

Not a great deal of excitement, though some new places I’ve visited. I rang (but just with the light 6) with the York Minster people: very intimidating, with a heavy ring of 12. Still haven’t rung in a 12 when … Continue reading →

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