Tag: Barges

Homeward bound – first published 6 April 2014

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Commando had finished the Manchester Marathon before the forecast rain started to fall. Of course, once the rain began it didn’t stop, not that we’d have gone out anywhere anyway. Commando was tired and I was pretty exhausted from all that worrying to be honest. We went back to our hotel room and hardly emerged until we had to check out and head for Manchester Piccadilly station for our journey home. It turned out to be rather more eventful than I’d have liked. Continue reading Homeward bound – first published 6 April 2014

Avoiding the marathon

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After a light lunch and a rest Commando declared he felt up to a little more gentle walking and suggested we have a look at the canals. This sounded a lot more like it as far as I was concerned, although I knew he wouldn’t be anywhere near up to the walk I had originally planned, so off we went. Continue reading Avoiding the marathon

Canals and bad news

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9 April 2016

As I stood at the side of the canal watching a barge slowly make its way under the railway bridge I smiled. What a relief. Commando’s ankle was feeling ok, if not perfect, and the marathon was back on. All those months of training hadn’t been wasted, even if he was unlikely to get a PB. All my walk planning hadn’t been wasted either and I was looking forward to exploring the canals further. Suddenly the day felt better and I began to really enjoy the walk, although it was half over. Continue reading Canals and bad news

The Thames Trail, a catalogue of errors

HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast

26 April 2015

Once I’d left Cutty Sark and crossed Deptford Creek, it was a relief to be away from the crowds and walking along the empty embankment. The creek, I found out later, was the site of the Battle of Deptford Bridge, the last battle of the Cornish Rebellion, on 17 June 1497. Created as a Royal Dockyard by Henry VIII, in the sixteenth century, Deptford Dockyard gave employment to many shipbuilders until its closure three hundred years later. In fact, in 1580, Queen Elizabeth I knighted Francis Drake there on board the Golden Hind. The ship remained moored in the creek until it broke up. It seems it a pity it couldn’t have been saved and restored because I would like to have seen it. Continue reading The Thames Trail, a catalogue of errors

Back to locks and Olympic rings

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5 April 2015

With a quick look behind me to make sure I wasn’t being chased by royal guards wanting to chop my head off, I walked back past King Henry VIII’s Gate towards the street. Once I was sure my head was safe I slowed down and looked around me. The spectacular floral display on the corner was the first thing that caught my eye. On the way up I’d been so intent on the castle I hadn’t really noticed anything else. Now I could see Windsor had a lot more to offer. It was a pity I didn’t have more time to explore. Continue reading Back to locks and Olympic rings

Twenty miles Olympic Style and a towpath on the Thames

Dorney Lake
Dorney Lake

5 April 2015

Sunday morning was another early start. Commando had read about a company called The Race Organiser, who hold Marathon Preparation Races for people training for spring marathons. With the London Marathon just three weeks away, and his final long run on the horizon, he thought he’d give it a try. That way he’d be able to run his twenty miles under race conditions, with water stations, other runners and timing chips. As it was being held at Dorney Lake, in Windsor, around the lake built as the 2012 Olympic Venue for Rowing, Adapted Rowing and Flatwater Canoeing I was more than happy to go along as cheerleader, carrier of car keys and blister technician. Continue reading Twenty miles Olympic Style and a towpath on the Thames