Italian man rows to Little Venice in London from Stratford

WALKERS along the lock flight between Bishopton and Wilmcote last weekend could have been excused for thinking they had been transported to the Grand Canal in Venice as a gondola from Traditional Venetian Boats started its journey from Stratford upon Avon to London via the Stratford Canal, Grand Union and Oxford Canal.

The lone helmsman was Maurizio Ulliana from Padua, Italy who has embarked on a four-week row to Little Venice in London to raise money for the restoration of traditional boats like gondolas.

The 40-foot vessel proved eye catching for passers-by, one of whom was Fraser Pithie who captured this picture of the gondola on Monday as it passed over A3400 aqueduct on the Stratford upon Avon Canal adjacent to “The Navigation” pub at Wootton Wawen.

“I had a conversation with the gondolier as he passed me on the canal bank and he said the trip he is making is a sponsored event. He was in good spirits but he’s got a long way to go,” Fraser said