For this day I just wanted to show him this spot. The plan was to go for a long walk on the following Sunday. We had something like a pub hop walk in mind, since there are many cozy and rustic pubs in the villages along the canal. But my friend was so intrigued by the canal boats, that he became obsessed with the idea, to go on a boat tour. But not only did he want a tour with a rented boat, but wanted to bribe one of the canal dwellers into taking us for a ride. This happening was a rather unlikely possibility in my mind, but I let him alone with his thoughts.

The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 220 km (137 miles). The (present) Grand Union Canal came into being on 1 January 1929, extended in 1932. It was formed from the amalgamation of several different canals. Read more about the Grand Union Canal on Wikipedia.org.

The following Sunday we set out mid morning for our tour along the Grand Union Canal. It was a sunny but crisp morning. As soon as we reached the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, my friend started asking the boat dwellers around for boats for hire - and we were told that past the water lock, about half a mile down the Canal we would find that. As soon as the water lock came into sight, he asked the first folks he saw on a boat: "Hey, are you the guys doing the tours?" A man looked at us for a second. "No, but how long've you got?" came the answer. We looked at each other. "Well, all afternoon I suppose. Doesn't really matter." I replied. "Well, we will be going up the Canal for a couple of hours, to the marina to get some fuel. It will be a few hour round trip. Hop on if you like". Bum. That was that. We had our ride. And we could not believe our luck. And lucky we were:

After a short introduction and some preparations we went on board. And it turned out that we just met some of the friendliest folks in a long time. The three guys on the boat were the owner and two of his friends. The vessel was named "Lydia".

Despite the bright sunshine, it was cold cruising along the canal. The wind was blowing stiff in our faces. The sun was high and the few clouds were like cotton balls in the super blue sky. The boat was going with an unhurried three knots (I think that is something like four miles per hour) up the canal, which was meandering through the English countryside, revealing views of small villages nestled beautifully in between meadows and fields. There were still some rapeseed fields showing the last bits of their bright yellow blooms. The air was clear and all colours were simply showing themselves in their brightest way.

What can I say: while standing at the bow of the vessel and enjoying the views, it was time to take out the Nikon and shoot some pictures. It was bright enough to keep the polarising filter on the entire time, and with the sun mainly in our back, it really brought those already bright colours to live. This is what I personally call "summer sunshine tourist photography". It is just a lot of fun.

We really warmed up to the folks on the boat as the journey went on, and by the time we reached the marina we were happily chatting along. Our suggestion to stop on the way back at the "Navigation Inn", a pub we spotted on our way up, to treat them for a pint or two broke the last pieces of ice.

There is not much more to say other than we had a fabulous, wonderful Sunday afternoon and we met some incredibly nice and interesting people. We learned a lot about the life on the canal, the boats and why they are built the way they are built.

The guys brought us back to the Iron Trunk Aqueduct and after some sincere goodbyes we walked the last mile home through green meadows along the River Ouse, with the sun just starting to set. The perfect Sunday was about to come to a perfect end.

After this day I am thinking that the story of the Grand Union Canal will continue in my life. I certainly hope so….

Tags: Photography, Photo Filter, Photo Shoots, Light Conditions, Seasonal Impressions, Grand Union Canal, Short Movie