"Tuppence" schreef in bericht
...

Hi Bouler,

I assume 'jaagpad' means 'towpath'. We call it 'towpad' in Belfast.

An old photo of the Lagan canal at Drumbeg near to where I live - Date not
known but would be before 1956 - might even be pre-war. The barge is about
to turn right into the cut at the Drumbeg lock. The arms of the lock gate
can be seen just in front of the horse. I walk the towpad (towpath) here
most days every week.

The barge shown is most probably carrying coal to its owners at the former
Barbour Linen Mill at Hilden about 3 miles (approx. 5Km.) upstream. The
barge is named 'EVA' after one of the Barbour family who were once one of
the linen barons in this area. Horses used to tow barges would develop a
sideways mode of walking which ruined them for other work such as
ploughing, etc.

It might be of interest to you to know that this part of the canal opened
in 1757 and the construction engineer was a Dutchman, Thomas Omer. The
condition of the canal deteriorated rapidly after the canal closed in 1956
and is no longer fit for boating. The weirs and lock gates were removed
and the lock chambers are now overgrown and in dangerous condition.

2nd photo was taken today is of the same stretch of water. Clear of
duckweed today but I have seen it covered green about two months ago.

I never heard of Thomas Omer, but I like the the pictures you posted.
Nice to see it's not only used in The Netherlands.
It's always interesting to hear that it was used in your counry too.
Thanks for your interesting reaction.
--
Groeten
Bouler (The Netherlands)