That's exactly what I was thinking: "To say nothing of the dog." I wonder if the embankments were less abrupt then? Of all the sharp disappointments in that delightful, hilarious book, the lack of a view did not figure prominently.
It occurs to me that the embankments are likely higher close to cities, where there's more built up.
Also that on some trips, the whole point of the trip is the stops. (I drove around the country some years ago. Mostly took interstates - sometimes I'd drive a local road that rejoined the interstate some miles down - but the driving was mostly just to travel. The fun part was when I was out of the car. (Although I do find driving relaxing, so it was nice to be able to recharge by zooming up the freeway.)
One reason for the plethora of photos from vantage-points high above the canal is that the canals are owned by the National Trust, and filming or photography for commercial use can only be done with advance permission and payment: http://www.nationaltrustimages.org.uk/photographic-access The bridges over the locks and canal, however, are generally public rights-of-way, and so such photography cannot be restricted. I've done lots of walking on some of the towpaths south of London, and found that at least half of the length had great view over lammas fields, flood-plain that was lower than the canal, or the back-lots of the interesting victorian industry that once lined the canals. The perspective on foot from the towpath is slightly higher than the view seated on a barge, however.
I can't say whether your experience or mine is more typical of the canal system as a whole however. My suspicion is that you just hit a particularly uninteresting section of canal.
There are some time-lapse videos of trips on the various canals on Youtube, you you can do a quick check-out of what a view from a canal barge would be for your proposed trip.
My wife and I have enjoyed 12 Narrowboat journeys in England,Wales and Scotland with none of the view problems you talk about. Yes in some areas the view is restricted, usually entering or leaving a lock or flight of locks but soon you are in low embankment areas for miles and the views are wonderful. Even in the photos you posted it shows the views once out of the locks. The Cain flight of locks on the Kennett and Avon Canal(last photo is one of the "Wonders of the Waterways World" which we truly enjoyed working our way through.
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Used to be the case that at least one person would be out of the boat...
That's exactly what I was thinking: "To say nothing of the dog." I wonder if the embankments were less abrupt then? Of all the sharp disappointments in that delightful, hilarious book, the lack of a view did not figure prominently.
It occurs to me that the embankments are likely higher close to cities, where there's more built up.
Also that on some trips, the whole point of the trip is the stops. (I drove around the country some years ago. Mostly took interstates - sometimes I'd drive a local road that rejoined the interstate some miles down - but the driving was mostly just to travel. The fun part was when I was out of the car. (Although I do find driving relaxing, so it was nice to be able to recharge by zooming up the freeway.)
One reason for the plethora of photos from vantage-points high above the canal is that the canals are owned by the National Trust, and filming or photography for commercial use can only be done with advance permission and payment:
http://www.nationaltrustimages.org.uk/photographic-access
The bridges over the locks and canal, however, are generally public rights-of-way, and so such photography cannot be restricted.
I've done lots of walking on some of the towpaths south of London, and found that at least half of the length had great view over lammas fields, flood-plain that was lower than the canal, or the back-lots of the interesting victorian industry that once lined the canals. The perspective on foot from the towpath is slightly higher than the view seated on a barge, however.
I can't say whether your experience or mine is more typical of the canal system as a whole however. My suspicion is that you just hit a particularly uninteresting section of canal.
Hmm...worth reconsidering, then.
There are some time-lapse videos of trips on the various canals on Youtube, you you can do a quick check-out of what a view from a canal barge would be for your proposed trip.
I remember us talking about doing this. I have no recollection of us actually getting on the boat and travelling.
Yes, wider than these canal boats. It had two levels and the weather was soewhat bad. I believe it went past the back of the zoo.
This was the height of JA kicking the little soccer ball period, so you may have been distracted.
My wife and I have enjoyed 12 Narrowboat journeys in England,Wales and Scotland with none of the view problems you talk about. Yes in some areas the view is restricted, usually entering or leaving a lock or flight of locks but soon you are in low embankment areas for miles and the views are wonderful. Even in the photos you posted it shows the views once out of the locks. The Cain flight of locks on the Kennett and Avon Canal(last photo is one of the "Wonders of the Waterways World" which we truly enjoyed working our way through.
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