I lived in the Midlands for over twenty years and during that time became absorbed with the UK canal system and narrowboats in general. They were but one of the driving forces behind the industrial revolution and after years of pain and neglect are now an important part of our tourist and leisure industries. I lived near the Hatton Locks flight in Warwick and today one of my long list of favourite CLs is in Leighton Buzzard next to a narrowboat marina – and an excellent pub.

Here on the Mosel, locks and barges are an altogether bigger proposition with some fantastic design and engineering deployed.

I guess my next step up is to visit the Suez and Panama canals!

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews