Image of the Week: Life on the Cut
Source: theurbn.com/tag/image-of-the-week/
In this Image of the Week installment, David Parker takes us on a trip to the Grand Union Canal in Watford. This selection of images is from a 4 year project showing some of the characters that live on narrow boats on the canal.
Dave & Lucy. Photographer: David Parker
Over the course of four years on and off I spent some time photographing some of the characters that live and holiday on narrowboats through a stretch of The Grand Union Canal around Watford. Dave and his squirrel catching dog, are well known on the canal and made for an interesting shot, Lucy having spotted a squirrel and Dave with his emergence from the boat wearing his pork pie hat.
Mark Gathering Logs. Photographer: David Parker
The never ending job during the cold weather of cutting up logs for fuel.
Rob, Doppy Duck & Bill the cat. Photographer: David Parker
Pets of all kinds are common to boat owners. Rob rescued the duck shortly after it was born as it has a severely deformed neck and would surely have perished. Unfortunately Bill was run over and killed by a cyclist going too fast along the towpath, shortly after this photo was taken.
Christine. Photographer: David Parker
This image to me encapsulates the warmth and friendliness I found amongst the boat owners.
Tim & Jake. Photographer: David Parker
Tim was a marine biologist before giving up his career to travel the canals. He is also a very talented musician. On this occasion Pink Floyd’s `Wish You Were Here‘. Jake the Jack Russell according to Tim committed suicide a short while after by throwing himself into the canal due to a long term illness he was suffering from. He was quite capable of swimming but refused to be helped.
Clive & Ricki. Photographer: David Parker
While cycling along the towpath, I would often chance upon golden moments. On this occasion I was just lucky once I had dropped the bike to arrive by the window at the perfect time. I think the window frames the scene making it look almost like a painting.
Legs Under the Lock Gate. Photographer: David Parker
I saw this shot from the front initially as I cycled towards them, and knowing i probably didn’t have long before the dog moved, quickly threw the bike down and dropped on my stomach to get the shot with only seconds to spare. Just lucky again!
Last week’s Image of the Week: A Touch of Tokyo
[...] Last week’s Image of the Week: Life on the Cut [...]
[...] of ducks came strolling down the trail with not a care, simply enjoying the day, as was I. “Canal boats once carried goods and people 249 miles between Toledo and Cincinnati, linking Lake Erie and the [...]