The Stroudwater canal, near Stroud in Gloucestershire, is being restored. Sal, my Inland Waterways advisor, tells me that, eventually, this will link the Thames with the Gloucester-Sharpness, which can only be a good thing, surely? A possible problem is that the canal will have to, somehow, somewhere, cross the M5 motorway. Could cause long delays, particularly in the holiday season.

We walked from just east of Stonehouse, along the canal, to Stroud and back. Stroud is thriving, with a really good Saturday market, mostly food and drink, which can rival the best of the French markets. Certainly makes the Portishead once-a-month “Farmers'” market look a bit half-hearted (and expensive).

Ryeford double lock.

The Stroudwater Canal, Gloucestershire.

The Stroudwater Canal, Gloucestershire.

Underneath the A419, near Dudbridge, east of Stroud on the Strouswater Canal, Gloucestershire.

Restoration work at Dudworth Lock, on the Stroudwater Canal, Gloucestershire.

Information panel at Wallbridge on the Stroudwater Canal, Gloucestershire. [CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE]

The Co-operative Building, Nelson Street, Stroud. Art deco building dated 1931.

Where ARE they?

Stroud cycle route marker.

Stroud Saturday market.

Stroud Saturday market.