Riverside Reflections

Riverside Reflections

Riverside Reflections

Riverside Reflections

Castle Ruins

Newark Castle Ruins

Newark Castle Ruins

Newark Castle Ruins

Newark Castle Ruins

Newark Castle Ruins

The Intricacies of Engineering

Intricacies of Engineering

This is one of the lock gates at Torksey Lock where the Fossdyke Canal meets the River Trent in Lincolnshire, with West Burton Power Station in the background.  Torksey Lock and the canal connects the Trent to the county town of Lincoln, and the Fossdyke canal is believed to be one of the oldest canals in England still in use.  It is thought to have been built in 120 AD by the Romans, but there is no clear concensus on this.  The canal was certainly refurbished in 1121, during the reign of Henry I and responsibility for its maintenance was transferred to the city of Lincoln by King James I.  Improvements made in 1671 included a navigable sluice or lock at Torksey.  These waterways were once busy with boats carrying important cargo for trade.  Nowadays Torksey only draws pleasure boats to its waters.  However, the intricacies of the engineering involved in building a canal and a lock, and even more so – a power station, are clearly apparent wherever you look.

Enigma and Colleagues

Enigma and Colleagues

This shot was taken on a chilly February Sunday afternoon, and is one of a series of photos focusing on canals, lakes and waterways.  The boats are all in their winter rig and looking colourful, however, it was the reflections in the water that made it for me.