Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Boddy on the Towpath

@boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social

140 followers 69 following 180 posts

Cycling the canals of Britain over 5 years, and writing a book on how to complete the rides. Also Barrow AFC and the occasional beer. http://www.boddyonthetowpath.co.uk

www.boddyonthetowpath.co.uk

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Boddy on the Towpath

Robert Foxon @robertfoxon.bsky.social · 2h

We turned around there in the summer.

1 1

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 9h

The Kings Lock pub and junction in Middlewich. Turning right takes you onto what is termed the shortest #canal in England, the Wardle. However I'm not buying it, it's just the end of the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union. The shortest proper canal is of course the Ulverston Canal. #cycling

Pencil style drawing of a canal to the left, and a footbridge rising to the right over a canal junction. In the background is a white building (The Kings Lock pub), and a few narrowboats moored up.

1 1 4

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 2d

I'm finishing off the Leeds & Liverpool #canal this week. Last leg into Liverpool today. A lovely old windmill (now an art gallery) right by the towpath at Parbold #cycling #UKCanals

1 19

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 10d

Mone by name, moan by nature

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 12d

Sometimes it's not about the canal: I was riding back to my campsite having completed the Trent & Mersey up to Runcorn, when I passed this church at Little Leigh, close to Anderton in Cheshire #cycling #UKCycling #canals
PS my website www.boddyonthetowpath.co.uk now has SSL!!

Pencil style drawing of a pair of wooden church gates, one open, one closed. They are protected by a thick wooden beamed porch. A paved walkway leads up to a church door in the mid distance. There are gravestones either side of the path.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 25d

Vale Royal locks on the River Weaver between Winsford and Northwich features a swingbridge over each of the double locks, which got me completely over-excited #cycling #UKCanals #canals

A rotating bridge with metal handrails lies over a turntable, which rotates over a lock to the left. In the background are trees, and a couple of slightly wayward lampposts.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 26d

Always

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · 27d

A super circular 24 mile ride from Northwich up the River Weaver to the Anderton Lift, along the Trent & Mersey to Middlewich, west along the SU Middlewich Branch to Winsford, and back up the Weaver. This is one of two impressive swing bridges in Northwich #cycling #canals #UKCanals

Pencil style drawing of a large metal bridge with a arched steel girder across a river. There is a tall gatehouse to the right, trees in the foreground and background. The bridge is set on a turntable to allow boats to pass.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Sep 6

Ah, Bathams!

Reposted by Boddy on the Towpath

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · Sep 5

This is a huge story.

Don't let him get away with it.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Nigel Farage uses private company to pay less tax on GB News earnings

Exclusive: Reform leader’s use of personal services firm is a practice criticised across the political spectrum

www.theguardian.com

370 2.4K 4.2K

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Sep 4

The derelict locks at Tewitfield (aka Northern Reaches Locks) run alongside the M6 north of Carnforth, and can be seen from the motorway. Boat passage further north is blocked by the M6, although an intrepid cyclist can still navigate to Kendal #cycling #UKCanals #canals

Pencil style drawing of an empty canal lock with the near gate missing. Some of the metalwork remains. There is a stone bridge at the far end of the lock, and a metal fence to the right. The whole scene is surrounded by trees, long grass and undergrowth.

1 11

Reposted by Boddy on the Towpath

Sourdough2021 @sourdough2021.bsky.social · Sep 4

Well, we will see what it is like in a couple of weeks. Feeling hopeful. Pretty easy to do, lots of fun, cheap and you know what goes into it. I was horrified to see that a commercial mustard only scored 33/100 on my Yuka app. If you haven’t got this app, it is worth getting (free and independent).

1 1

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Sep 4

Oh I say!

1 1

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 30

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes through the industrial Lancashire heartland, including this beautiful example of a mill in Blackburn, now a business centre #cycling #UKCanals #canals

Pencil style drawing of am imposing mill building next to a canal which curves away to the left. There are two tall towers to the mill. There is a high stone wall curving away to the right.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 28

The old wharf on the Leeds & Liverpool at Burnley, on my way to Chorley the other week #cycling #UKCanals #canals

Pencil style drawing of the underside of a metal and wooden wharf jutting out over a canal. Sturdy beams and girders all round, and a stone flagged towpath passes underneath. Around the bend in the canal can just be seen a white building.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 27

Very good!
They seem big and juicy this year, and ripening early.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 26

Oh, wonderful!

Robert Foxon @robertfoxon.bsky.social · Aug 26

Snap. This painting was done by Brian Collins to illustrate my dad's book.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 26

Day 2 in Cheshire: up the Trent & Mersey to Preston Brook, then along the Bridgewater to Runcorn, where the canal ends abruptly at Waterloo Bridge.
Drawings to follow ... #cycling #UKCanals #canals

Photo of a white brick canal tunnel entrance. A towpath on the left leads up to two white houses over the tunnel.

1 8

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 25

A very exciting morning riding from Northwich to the Anderton Lift, then round the T&M to Middlewich, SU Middlewich Branch to Winsford, and back up the River Weaver. On the way I came across a SWING BRIDGE over a LOCK!! You just can't get more exciting than that #canals #cycling #UKCanals

Photo of a cast iron swing bridge over a deep canal lock

Reposted by Boddy on the Towpath

duvalbill.bsky.social @duvalbill.bsky.social · Aug 20

Jack White is a badass.

10 130 440

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 21

Order of jam/cream: correct
Pronunciation of scones: incorrect

1 1

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 19

Thanks for the warning! I always avoid weekends if possible because of the fishermen.

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 19

I've still got the bit through Devizes to do Sarah. The towpath is so overgrown it's only possible at certain times of year

Sarah H @sarahhants.bsky.social · Aug 19

That's a lovely drawing as always.
I thought of you while walking part of the Kennet and Avon this weekend and wondered if you had cycled it. We cycled it a few years ago, but ended up coming off on to roads a few times where it got tricky.

1 2

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 18

I've now completed more than half of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and here's a signpost to prove it #cycling #canals #UKCanals

Pencil style drawing of a stone milepost, with a brick wall behind. On one side the sign says L'pool 63 miles, and on the other, Leeds 64 1/4 miles

1 10

Boddy on the Towpath @boddyonthetowpath.bsky.social · Aug 15

It was always a bonkers idea imo