No water?

Sunday, 11 July 2010 14:32

Water supply is so topical

It has even caught up with us on the Ripon Canal! First we hear that BW is restricting the lock hours (as from tomorrow) on the Ripon Canal due to water shortage; then we visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens and  find ....

At the end of the canal (Studley Royal Canal) an empty reservoir! Who is taking lessons from whom?

The lake is under reconstruction and it is planned to return it to the 1700s original state.

Studley Royal Canal

Bridge over canal and entry to Lake

and then - empty reservoir/lake

Back to the Ripon Canal - the rivers that supply the water for the canal are low. The water enters the canal through a conduit at the end of the basin and when John had a chat to the lad who was in charge of the rowing boats, he knew nothing of the lock hours being restricted to between 10am and 2pm. I wonder if there are notices at the locks? When we came up on Friday water was pouring over the bottom gates of the last lock.

This morning we attended the service at the Cathedral - a fascinating building and a real mixture of architecture - Gothic lancet windows  (1220), an art decor pulpit (1913) and an High Altar screen by Ninian Comper. Permission for photography inside has to be purchased so no photos from us, but photos of the Cathedral, inside and out are on Ripon Internet web site - clickety click

Lewis Carroll's father was a canon at the Cathedral and figures on a misericord are thought to have inspired Lewis Carroll. The Cathedral website has a photo - clickety click. Children enjoy finding the griffon chasing a rabbit and another rabbit hiding in his hole!  The 1494 carpenters had a sense of humour!

Those of you who are observant and keep an eye on our location will see that we have moved today. We had stayed our 48 hours at the basin moorings! The journey was all of 0.43 miles after winding in the basin.

We have moved to here

The 48H moorings are on the left and our 57 foot narrowboat just fits! It is handy for the facilities - a couple of washes, a top of water and then a couple of nights here before we return down the canal to the River Ure.

This footbridge leads to the towpath and road

Wonder of wonders, as a bonus we have a TV signal, but only because we have a dish on a pole (satellite dish!). So F1 and the World Cup Final are on the agenda.