Shortest canal in the UK. Lydney?

Wednesday 24th July 2024:
I drove down to Lydney Harbour in Gloucestershire today, and visited the Lydney Canal - which is amongst the shortest of all the canals in the UK.
The weather wasn't as nice as had been forecast, but I nevertheless took the Brompton, and as usual, it performed very well. Sadly though, I managed to lose my small Zefal rear-view mirror while walking around the locks - so if anyone finds it, please let me know!
Lots of things to see on the video, including a monstrous dredger in the lock, some standing stones which form a compass, and of course, the wonderful River Severn, with clear views across the water including Sharpness, which I recently visited on another video.
Oh, I nearly forgot... there is also some very exciting news about Gladys's launch date!
Hope you enjoy it!
Cheers,
Jeff
By the way, if you do enjoy the video, then please consider subscribing - it really helps me to grow the channel! (Don’t forget to switch on ‘notifications).
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
/ @gladysthenarrowboat

[@johnsharman76142]

Hi Jeff another great Vlog and Great editing. Always enjoy watching your magical vt's especially the self assembly Brompton 😊 Little overcast today Jeff.😊 Take care and stay safe out there 😊. John.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Hi John! Very glad to hear you appreciated it - and mentioning the editing is really nice of you 👍 Yes, I thought seeing the bike unfold in stages might be a cool thing to do - the weather's been on and off here today but supposed to be good this Monday - so I hope to take the Brompton out again to film somewhere. Thanks as always for your support and encouragement 👍

[@anniemac3075]

Hi Jeff, I can't believe I never knew about Lydney Harbour, canal etc as we holidayed for years at a campsite in Lydney & still go there to stay in chalets. The piece of film was hilarious about the stones, I tend to agree with your observation of the film narrator .... Thank you for the trip, it was well worth a look. Sounding very interesting re Gladys, all these crossed fingers are paying off at last.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Morning Annie! Thanks for your comment on the film about the stones. I enjoyed making that bit and have ideas for other 'vintage' classics that could find their way onto the small screen. I am thinking of setting up a second channel for that kind of content, so watch this space! Yes, Lydney Harbour is really very nice and well worth a visit. On a fine day you can see way over to the Bristol side. I am 90% confident about the launch now - but you never know, something could still go wrong - so keep those fingers tightly crossed. It won't be over until Gladys has a wet bottom! 😊

[@anniemac3075]

@@Gladysthenarrowboat Haha, look forward to seeing Gladys's wet bottom whenever it happens! That sounds interesting about a second channel.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Thanks Annie ! - yes, stay tuned for more info about the second channel 😁

[@anniemac3075]

@@Gladysthenarrowboat 👍

[@DavidJames-rz9lt]

Hi Jeff. A Zebedee type spring loaded Brompton at the start of a vlog is what makes the rest of the vlogging community envious. I was a little late checking this video due to being away in Newquay, but well worth the wait. A nice little (little being the operative word) canal. I couldn't work out what I missed at the start of the video until I realised I was looking to the right and not the left.....old age me thinks. An excellent informative video from 1941 with narration by someone who appeared to have an ancestral connection with yourself maybe? " "Transported over to Stonehenge by some means which quite frankly I haven't a bloody clue" " Now this is the quality of commentary that people such as Neil Oliver and Dr Anna Keay could only dream of coming up with. Once again, a very informative, funny at times and enjoyable video. Take care Jeff and see you in the next one. 👍

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Hi Dave, Thanks as always for the most welcome comment! Glad you liked the video and the 1941 section... I have a feeling you'll hear from the University of Abertillery's Film Club again in the near future... in fact I have just unearthed another old can of film... My idea is to mainly show their films on a new channel 'Vira Mays Cookbook' - as I believe the content might prove too off the wall for some of my Gladys viewers! Hope you have enjoyed the recent weather and had/having great holiday. Tomorrow's video sees me having my first Brompton puncture... rear wheel of course... 😒 Thanks again Dave 👍

[@DavidJames-rz9lt]

@@Gladysthenarrowboat Fingers crossed I've not had a puncture yet, but when it happens it will be guaranteed to be the rear wheel.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Yeah, sods law it usually is the back wheel Dave! The Brompton has a rear hub gear too, which means you have to disengage it and readjust it after refitting back wheel... quite a palaver! Fingers crossed you'll not have a puncture anyway! 🤞

[@dcvariousvids8082]

When the bike was popping into existence bit by bit, it reminded me of, ‘The Prisoner’ credits. Not the final result but the hole making process. Got to wonder if the person drilling through, found it all a little boring. Yep, getting my coat.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Wow - that's interesting DC! I honestly didn't think of it at the time I filmed, but you make a good observation - although I expect many viewers to the channel will never have watched The Prisoner (original Patrick McGoohan version - not the awful recent remake). I confess to having the box set of McGoohan's version and often rewatch it. Your comment about the person drilling those holes - what can I say... other than to say yes, it's time to get your coat! 😁 Thanks as always for your comment DC!

[@robertbrierley7083]

Visited this place earlier this year very nice walk, Nice vlog When will you get your new boat.😊

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Thanks Robert! All going to plan, it'll be during week commencing 19th August 😁 ......🤞

[@JohnHowarth-m6z]

It was lucky that you found the Archive footage about the stone circle. Its a shame that the presenter was such a buffoon. An interesting development though which i hope you can repeat.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Hi John! Yes, its surprising what films you can find when you do some digging... Agreed, that the Professor was a total ass, but I'm led to understand that there is a lot more in the University's Film Club library and I will definitely share it with you 👍😁

[@MadisonTen]

The Somerset Coal Canal is pretty short now, can’t be much more than 400metres? 🤔

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Hi Madison! Well the Wardle Canal is the shortest - but thanks for alerting me to the Somerset Coal Canal as I hadn't heard of it before. Just looked it up and it seems like restoration work is being done / planned (a bit like the Hereford & Gloucester). I found their website www.coalcanal.com/ Have you cycled along the Coal Canal?😊

[@MadisonTen]

@@Gladysthenarrowboat Yes, I cycled it on the Bristol Bath loop ride recently. It’s very pleasant and an outdoor cafe at the end called The Angelfish. Lovely area.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Sorry, of course you did - I saw the video and think I even commented about the locks! I wish I had some time to go visit the area as it does sound really nice 👍

[@barryhansen6854]

Wardle Lock Canal.

[@Gladysthenarrowboat]

Thats right Barry! Its situated between Wardle Lock (at end of the Middlewich branch of Shropshire Union Canal) and the junction with the Trent & Mersey, at Middlewich. Literally just a matter of yards - many people dont even realise that little bit of water in front of the lock is a named canal!👍