There's not much traffic along the canal during the winter months so I was intrigued to see a boat in the distance, when I was taking 'the scenic route' back after doing some errands in Shipley. Getting closer, I realised it was a Canal and River Trust's working barge. Workers were busily pruning the trees and shrubs on the thin fringe of land between Salt's Mill's outbuildings and the canal. It's surprising how quickly these saplings spring up. Left unchecked, their jutting branches start to narrow the navigable waterway, which is only just wide enough for two boats to pass, as it is. How many people does it take to trim a shrub? In this case, at least seven, including the guy steering the boat and another trimming some saplings on the towpath.
Certainly the Salts Mill is a very fine building indeed. Your photo does it full justice!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how much landscape crews do in the winter...we've had mulching going on for the last week.
ReplyDeleteAll our city workers are trying to keep up with a snowstorm today! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThey do that here with smaller boats on our canal.
ReplyDeleteStrictly speaking the land owner is responsible for chopping down this vegetation. The Canal and River Trust own only the towpath side of the canal.
ReplyDeleteOh well I guess it is giving some people a job.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good thing to see the vegetation being tamed.
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