On the Cut, 2026

[Peter Roberts]

Couldn't help myself lol.

I can quite understand that. Looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[Ralph Turner]

Looking forward to seeing the results.

I'll likely be doing a write-up or two on my Substack as and when I can. I should be able to share a few more then, when I know what I've got

 

[Ralph Turner]

Well, here we are, on our way back to the marina, moored up for tonight. The weather today has been very changeable, from strong winds and heavy showers this morning to beautiful sunshine with just the odd shower this afternoon. We completed the Four Counties Ring yesterday afternoon. The ring itself was 110 miles and 94 locks. This last stretch we're on at the moment is about 20 miles and a further 13 locks. All good fun.
(storm clouds taken on phone, buttercups on my iPad.)

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Well, here we are, on our way back to the marina, moored up for tonight. The weather today has been very changeable, from strong winds and heavy showers this morning to beautiful sunshine with just the odd shower this afternoon. We completed the Four Counties Ring yesterday afternoon. The ring itself was 110 miles and 94 locks. This last stretch we're on at the moment is about 20 miles and a further 13 locks. All good fun.
(storm clouds taken on phone, buttercups on my iPad.)

It's a pleasure to follow your travel updates and view the photos you've been sharing. Thank you, @Ralph Turner, you're our hero.

 

[Ralph Turner]

It's a pleasure to follow your travel updates and view the photos you've been sharing. Thank you, @Ralph Turner, you're our hero.

Many thanks for your generous words, Gianluca. There will be more in-depth articles on my Substack in due course. Imdomhave rather a lot of piccies to sort through first, though (nearly 400 on my dslr, 3 rolls of film through my old Yashicamat and numerous on my phone and iPad). It could take a while lol.

 

[Beth Anthony]

beautiful insight to a relaxed countryside. i love the shots of the old bridge.

 

[Ralph Turner]

beautiful insight to a relaxed countryside. i love the shots of the old bridge.

Many thanks, Beth, I appreciate it.

 

[Ralph Turner]

These are the two small kits I took with me on the boat.
For the main part, it was my Canon 6D with standard zoom and 40mm pancake, the latter spending most of the time on the camera as, with care, I could steer the boat with one hand and snap away at anything that caught my eye with the other. The zoom was nice for when there was more time to be creative.
Although it didn't come out as often as the dslr, the Yashicamat EM did have three rolls put through it. I'm glad I took it. Although the 6D is excellent and very flexible and quick to use, the process of shooting EM and all it entailed was more satisfying. Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity time-wise to make more of it.
Sometimes I didn't have time for either kit, which is when my phone (and occasionally iPad) came in useful.
Anyway, I'm starting to put together my first offering from the trip to put up on my Substack page.

 

[Ralph Turner]

For anyone interested, here's the first instalment from our trip:

https://ralphyturner.substack.com/p/the-four-counties-odyssey

 

[Ralph Turner]

Next installment. Finally we're on the move

Four Counties Odyssey

Part two, getting underway.

ralphyturner.substack.com

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Next installment. Finally we're on the move

Four Counties Odyssey

Part two, getting underway.

ralphyturner.substack.com

A truly adventurous journey! And a witty account—always a pleasure to read—with great photos.

 

[Ralph Turner]

A truly adventurous journey! And a witty account—always a pleasure to read—with great photos.

Many thanks, Gianluca. The next instalment is underway

 

[Pete Askew]

Thank you for this account and the shots you have shared. That first one is a great introductory picture too.

I have always liked the idea of a narrowboat, but I know I would never find time to do more that tinker with one. When in the UK, we live in a village where navigation of the Basingstoke canal ends, and we see the odd boat mored over-night near King John’s cast on occasion.

And I can concur about old building and un-straight walls and ceilings. Ours was built in the early 17th Century and I don’t thing there is a straight, level or vertical element anywhere in it!

 

[Ralph Turner]

Many thanks, Pete. The next instalment is underway, should be published this coming week, I've just got to finish sorting the piccies.
The Basingstoke Cut seems to have had a bit of a chequered history. It would be nice get down to the Basingstoke, but I think it's probably a little beyond us, distance-wise.
Your place sounds very old and very interesting indeed. Our house is nowhere near as old (late 19th century), but, even here, there are a few quaint angles and features within it's thick stone walls.

 

[Ralph Turner]

Well, here's the next bit, for those interested

Four Counties Odyssey

Part three. Second week on the move and further challenges.

ralphyturner.substack.com

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Seems like you've encountered a fair share of interruptions along the way Ralph!

 

[Ralph Turner]

Seems like you've encountered a fair share of interruptions along the way Ralph!

We definitely had our quota!

 

[Ralph Turner]

The penultimate instalment, Middlewich down to the Potteries.

Four Counties Odyssey

Part four. From Cheshire down to the Potteries.

ralphyturner.substack.com

 

[Gianluca Drago]

The penultimate instalment, Middlewich down to the Potteries.

Four Counties Odyssey

Part four. From Cheshire down to the Potteries.

ralphyturner.substack.com

Another great page!

 

[Ralph Turner]

Another great page!

Thanks, Gianluca!