British Library, The British Library, Library, library, archive, archives, collection, repository, stacks, reading room, study, bookroom, research library, reference library, national library, literary archive, house of books, temple of learning, sanctuary of books, storehouse of knowledge, cathedral of books, shrine to footnotes, book bunker, paper kingdom, bibliothèque, biblioteca, Bibliothek, bibliotheek, bibliotek, bokbibliotek, knjiznica, knjižnica, knihovna, knižnica, biblioteka, bibliotēka, biblioteka, raamatukogu, kirjasto, könyvtár, βιβλιοθήκη, библиотека, бібліотека, kütüphane, maktaba, مكتبة, ספרייה, کتابخانه, पुस्तकालय, ग्रंथालय, লাইব্রেরি, গ্রন্থাগার, کتب خانہ, لائبریری, perpustakaan, aklatan, thư viện, ห้องสมุด, 图书馆, 圖書館, 図書館, 도서관, գրադարան, ბიბლიოთეკა

British Library, The British Library, Library, library, archive, archives, collection, repository, stacks, reading room, study, bookroom, research library, reference library, national library, literary archive, house of books, temple of learning, sanctuary of books, storehouse of knowledge, cathedral of books, shrine to footnotes, book bunker, paper kingdom, bibliothèque, biblioteca, Bibliothek, bibliotheek, bibliotek, bokbibliotek, knjiznica, knjižnica, knihovna, knižnica, biblioteka, bibliotēka, biblioteka, raamatukogu, kirjasto, könyvtár, βιβλιοθήκη, библиотека, бібліотека, kütüphane, maktaba, مكتبة, ספרייה, کتابخانه, पुस्तकालय, ग्रंथालय, লাইব্রেরি, গ্রন্থাগার, کتب خانہ, لائبریری, perpustakaan, aklatan, thư viện, ห้องสมุด, 图书馆, 圖書館, 図書館, 도서관, գրադարան, ბიბლიოთეკა

British Library, The British Library, Library, library, archive, archives, collection, repository, stacks, reading room, study, bookroom, research library, reference library, national library, literary archive, house of books, temple of learning, sanctuary of books, storehouse of knowledge, cathedral of books, shrine to footnotes, book bunker, paper kingdom, bibliothèque, biblioteca, Bibliothek, bibliotheek, bibliotek, bokbibliotek, knjiznica, knjižnica, knihovna, knižnica, biblioteka, bibliotēka, biblioteka, raamatukogu, kirjasto, könyvtár, βιβλιοθήκη, библиотека, бібліотека, kütüphane, maktaba, مكتبة, ספרייה, کتابخانه, पुस्तकालय, ग्रंथालय, লাইব্রেরি, গ্রন্থাগার, کتب خانہ, لائبریری, perpustakaan, aklatan, thư viện, ห้องสมุด, 图书馆, 圖書館, 図書館, 도서관, գրադարան, ბიბლიოთეკა

British Library, The British Library, Library, library, archive, archives, collection, repository, stacks, reading room, study, bookroom, research library, reference library, national library, literary archive, house of books, temple of learning, sanctuary of books, storehouse of knowledge, cathedral of books, shrine to footnotes, book bunker, paper kingdom, bibliothèque, biblioteca, Bibliothek, bibliotheek, bibliotek, bokbibliotek, knjiznica, knjižnica, knihovna, knižnica, biblioteka, bibliotēka, biblioteka, raamatukogu, kirjasto, könyvtár, βιβλιοθήκη, библиотека, бібліотека, kütüphane, maktaba, مكتبة, ספרייה, کتابخانه, पुस्तकालय, ग्रंथालय, লাইব্রেরি, গ্রন্থাগার, کتب خانہ, لائبریری, perpustakaan, aklatan, thư viện, ห้องสมุด, 图书馆, 圖書館, 図書館, 도서관, գրադարան, ბიბლიოთეკა

3 of #40Before40 — A Thread! 🧵🧵🧵
Visit the British Library 📚 I have always wanted to visited the British Library, there has always been something sophisticated, serious and faintly intimidating about this place….

Anyway: beautiful, eerie, wildly theatrical. 10/10, no notes, apart from perhaps “stop vandalising the dead” which feels like a fairly low bar for society. Onward with #40Before40 before I too become local history. 💀🌿

Weathered gravestones, grand tombs and ivy-draped mausoleums line the winding paths of Highgate Cemetery, a Victorian cemetery on Swain’s Lane in Highgate, north London, near Waterlow Park. The scene is dense with aged stone, gothic detail and overgrown greenery: leaning headstones, carved memorials, moss-darkened surfaces and towering monuments packed closely together beneath tall trees. The atmosphere feels quiet, eerie and theatrical, with the cemetery’s mix of formal architecture and untamed nature giving it a distinctly gothic character. This part of London sits in the N6 area, north of central London, and Highgate Cemetery is spread across both sides of Swain’s Lane, making it one of the city’s most recognisable historic burial ground

Weathered gravestones, grand tombs and ivy-draped mausoleums line the winding paths of Highgate Cemetery, a Victorian cemetery on Swain’s Lane in Highgate, north London, near Waterlow Park. The scene is dense with aged stone, gothic detail and overgrown greenery: leaning headstones, carved memorials, moss-darkened surfaces and towering monuments packed closely together beneath tall trees. The atmosphere feels quiet, eerie and theatrical, with the cemetery’s mix of formal architecture and untamed nature giving it a distinctly gothic character. This part of London sits in the N6 area, north of central London, and Highgate Cemetery is spread across both sides of Swain’s Lane, making it one of the city’s most recognisable historic burial ground

Weathered gravestones, grand tombs and ivy-draped mausoleums line the winding paths of Highgate Cemetery, a Victorian cemetery on Swain’s Lane in Highgate, north London, near Waterlow Park. The scene is dense with aged stone, gothic detail and overgrown greenery: leaning headstones, carved memorials, moss-darkened surfaces and towering monuments packed closely together beneath tall trees. The atmosphere feels quiet, eerie and theatrical, with the cemetery’s mix of formal architecture and untamed nature giving it a distinctly gothic character. This part of London sits in the N6 area, north of central London, and Highgate Cemetery is spread across both sides of Swain’s Lane, making it one of the city’s most recognisable historic burial ground

Weathered gravestones, grand tombs and ivy-draped mausoleums line the winding paths of Highgate Cemetery, a Victorian cemetery on Swain’s Lane in Highgate, north London, near Waterlow Park. The scene is dense with aged stone, gothic detail and overgrown greenery: leaning headstones, carved memorials, moss-darkened surfaces and towering monuments packed closely together beneath tall trees. The atmosphere feels quiet, eerie and theatrical, with the cemetery’s mix of formal architecture and untamed nature giving it a distinctly gothic character. This part of London sits in the N6 area, north of central London, and Highgate Cemetery is spread across both sides of Swain’s Lane, making it one of the city’s most recognisable historic burial ground

2 of my #40Before40 - A Thread! 🧵🧵
Visit Highgate Cemetery 🪦🌿 A lifelong ambition, mostly because film & TV taught me that if anything gothic is happening in London, it’s probably here. Sherlock Holmes, Dorian Gray, Dracula, From Hell, Tales from the Crypt… etc etc, you get the misty idea

34: Basingstoke Canal

One of my locals, and what has become a family tradition on Mother's Day: a walk to forage for #wildgarlic!

#40before40
#ukcanals
#basingstokecanal
#hampshire

33: Bristol Floating Harbour Feeder Canal

Cut when the Avon's original course was enclosed to form the harbour, leading off the river via Netham Lock.

Lovely walk (wade?) from the city centre out to Keynsham!

#40before40
#ukcanals
#bristol

32: Limehouse Cut

Looking as it curves its way to Limehouse Basin. Beneath the bridge here was (is?) the location of the southern stop lock; the other is where the canal joins Bow Creek.

No more London nighttime shots now!

#40before40
#ukcanals
#limehouse
#limehousecut
#london

31: Regents Canal

Thought I'd posted this when I visited Little Venice a while back, but apparently not!

Like the others on the canal, there were two side-by-side locks here but one was removed in the 70s.

#40before40
#ukcanals
#regentscanal
#london
#limehouse

#1 of my #40Before40 🚢 Finally doing something I’ve always wanted: go on a cruise! Embarkation was smooth. Ship is HORRIFYINGLY huge. All-day buffet is dangerous. Gays everywhere. Sailing to Hamburg 🇩🇪, Rotterdam 🇳🇱, Bruges 🇧🇪 & Normandy 🇫🇷—Living my best Hyacinth Bucket life ✌️

30: City Canal

Now the south dock at West India Docks. The canal was cut to bypass the loop of the Thames creating the Isle of Dogs. That shortcut is no longer possible, as the western lock connecting the docks to the river is now removed.

#ukcanals
#london
#docklands
#40before40

29: Staffordshire and Worcestershire

Explored a bit between Kiddy and Kinver a few years ago, but a delightful slog down the M6 this weekend meant I had the opportunity to see the Roundhouse at Gailey.

Snow from Goretti still everywhere :)

#ukcanals
#staffordshire
#worcestershire
#40before40

28: Peak Forest Canal

A lovely winter's morning walk down the Marple flight to the aqueduct. Beautiful sun coming through the branches and a lovely blue sky at the aqueduct and viaduct.

#ukcanals
#peakforestcanal
#greatermanchester
#40before40

27: Trent and Mersey

Need to step this up now. First of the new year!

After the recent snowfall in the midlands, and illuminated by my headlights... Brrr!

Keeper's Lock near Fradley Junction. Narrow mitred gates with wonky beams à la Staffs and Worcs.

#trentandmersey
#ukcanals
#40before40

#30Before30 took me to 12 countries & 1 crown dependency across 3 continents—through cathedrals, salt mines, ghost towns, chocolate factories, lagoons, Roman baths, galleries & museums. I even swam with dolphins! Now I’m building #40Before40, so send ideas—big, small or brilliantly odd. 💡✨❤️

My #30Before30 taught me that ageing feels lighter when you stop stockpiling “one day” plans. It opened my eyes, reset my mindset, and turned dread into curiosity. So #40Before40 isn’t a crisis—just a commitment to keep living deliberately, joyfully and a little more boldly every year 🧵

In 2027, I turn 40, so it’s time for my next chapter: #40Before40! A decade ago I did #30Before30 challenge, a genuinely cathartic “dream detox” that cleared the slate of 30yrs of dreaming about things I could simply do. Now I’m ready to clear the slate again & chase the dreams that grew since 30 🧵

26: Bentley Canal

About ½ mile from its junction with the BCN Anson Branch.

This is the boring end – all the locks were out west near the W&E.

There's now a community orchard here, which is noice. 👌

And signage warning against antisocial motorcycle behaviour.

#ukcanals
#westmidlands
#40before40

25: Hatherton Canal

...or at least the link between the Hatherton and Cannock Extension canals.

Much like Richard III being found under that Leicester car park... guess what's under this parking bay at KFC in Cannock! It's only Churchbridge Lock #4!!!

#ukcanals
#staffordshire
#40before40

24: Cannock Extension Canal

Suspiciously parked on the bridge to capture this 30-second exposure at about 8pm. Had to forgo getting the Curly Wyrley after this due to a road closure :(

#ukcanals
#Staffordshire
#40before40

23: Chard Canal

Visited the canal 6 years ago but a slog down the A303 yesterday allowed a stop at the Ilminster inclined plane.

This incline (one of four on the canal) lifted tub boats 82' up Herne Hill towards Chard.

#40before40
#ukcanals
#somerset

22: Croydon Canal

Just 27 years in use... abandoned in 1836, the first to be done so by an act of parliament

Here it is running alongside Betts Park in Anerley. Ripples from a disturbed moorhen...

#40before40
#ukcanals

21: River Wye

It was navigated as far back as when Edward the Confessor had iron shipped from the forest to Gloucester.

Here is Weir End. Gonna guess there was a flash lock nearby (once upon a time before trows and barges were replaced by canoes and kayaks)

#40before40
#ukwaterways
#herefordshire

20: Lydney Canal

🎵 Whoaaaa we're halfway there 🎵

Here's the tidal basin – the gates onto the Severn are in the background. Apparently they're borked so the basin isn't usable and is chock full of river gunk.

The lock is just to the right.

#40before40
#ukcanals
#gloucestershire

19: Pidcock's Canal

Short tub boat canal serving ironworks and collieries up and around the Lyd valley.

Perhaps misnamed as it predated the Pidcocks' management of the forges... should be Tanner's Canal!

These photos are the cut passing through Lydney.

#40before40
#ukcanals
#gloucestershire

18: North Wilts Canal

Shortish canal linking the W&B and T&S. Love this stretch down to the aqueduct over the Thames (not as grand as it may sound!). First time back since 2020.

Lots going on here – junction, aqueduct, lock, basin!

#40before40
#ukcanals
#wiltshire
#almostgloucestershire

A canal lock

A flight of canal locks, behind which are flats and a railway bridge

A large industrial building

17: Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The Stanley Locks, connecting the canal to Stanley Docks. Some wicked 1840s buildings going on here!

#leedsandliverpoolcanal
#ukcanals
#40before40

16: Andover Canal

Not much to explore on this – taken over by the railway, then that too was removed and most now on private land. But a rainy September drive through Clatford meant one thing... a climb through brambles!

Last photo is at Rooksbury Mill in 2020.

#40before40
#hampshire
#andover

15: Maidenhead Waterways

Here, the York Stream and Moor Cut meet and become the Brat Cut. The Weir has boat rollers, but there are plans for a pound lock here to eventually link the town's waterways ring with the Thames.

#ukcanals
#40before40
#berkshire

#14: Grand Junction Canal

Splitting the GU up for this seems sensible (my game, my rules!)

Startops End Bridge, with its double arch – on the right, the extant wide lock. On the left, the infilled and short-lived narrow lock.

#ukcanals
#40before40
#buckinghamshire
#hertfordshire

#12: Wendover Canal

Lovely short arm of the GU, winding past the old Tring Mill buildings on the way to Tringford Pumping Station. Plenty of damsons too – lavly!

#ukcanals
#40before40
#hertfordshire
#buckinghamshire

For Jenalea #40before40 we had a progressive dinner, was a fantastic time! 🍽️ 🎂