Contents:
Branch Homepage
Branch History
Belturbet Town
Lough Erne
Ballinamore-Ballyconnell
Canal
Events Calendar
Out and about
Overseas Tourist Informationh
Book Contents |
European Wanderings - Trains Planes and Automoblies - A tale of Three Cities London Paris and Amsterdam
Before the invention of "Le Frigo", ice was cut out of lakes
and rivers and transported to London by canal for onward delivery by horse and cart to homes,shops and restaurants.
As one proceeds around the display the connection between the ice cream contraptions and ice becomes quite obvious
and it's connection to the original owner of the building which now houses the museum becomes all important, for
it was he,Senior Carlo Gatti who helped to popularise ice cream for Londoners. It appears that his full life story
is a bit patchy, but nonetheless Londoners grateful for the delights of eating ice cream honoured him upon his
death, his remains being returned to Italy for interment, I suppose packed in ice.
Another interesting fact was that Gatti transported ice from Norway by ship to England to supplement domestic output
and there are a number of photos of men sawing up ice blocks from Norwegian lakes and rivers.An ardous and difficult
journey awaited the ice ships across the North Sea and, several of which were lost at sea with full crew. The ice
was stored in ice pits some 40 feet deep and the close storage of the ice blocks created its own cooling effect,
which ensured it remained reasonably solid, even in the warmest weather.The ice pits have been excavated and are
on view at the museum.
In the loft area were the stables for the horses and there is a small exhibition of their living and working conditions,
as well as oil and waterbased paintings for sale on canal scences. You can also look at a video of a trip around
London on the Regents Canal. Adjoining the museum is the Wattlebridge canal basin, part of the Regents Canal, which
is slowly being restored by voluntary groups,together with some barges and other craft under going restoration.
In short it is very reminiscent of our own Bolands mill.
Now I wonder if Phan would also like a cashmere coat for Easter, ha there's a thought, where did I put the camera.As
for Yuko she got a cashmere coat somewhere but is keeping quiet about the price
How to get there:
The most convenient way is by using the underground.Kings Cross St. Pancreas is served by the following underground
lines:
Victoria Line
Northern line
Metropolitan Line
Hammersmith & City Line
Piccadilly Line
and The District Line
The London Canal Museum is a short 5-10 minutes walk away. From the main entrance,turn left and proceed along Euston
Road until reaching York way.
Continue along York Way until reaching Wharfdale Road on the right. Proceed along this street until reaching New Wharf Road, which is on
the left hand side of Wharfdale Road. The canal museum is located on the left about 25 metres down New Wharf road.
London Canal Museum web site http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/
Detailed street map, courtesy of http://www.streetmap.co.uk
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