By special request a day out was arranged for Gemma and Chloe. Reaching the boat at around 9.am we dawdled off, stopping by nb Serenity for a chat with our old mooring neighbour, Peter. In no hurry we were able to stop at Uxbridge Boat Centre this time (open 11 - 4 on Sundays) to get the replacement window and seals for the stove door glass. Then on to Cowley.
Left Brentford with Sanity at 8:00. With three crew aboard Sanity progress was easy, but a little slower than possible because of a single handed boater ahead. Said our farewells at Norwood Top Lock and I pressed on to Harefield whilst the other stopped at Bulls Bridge. Cowley and Uxbridge Locks were against. Actually I had wanted to stop at Uxbridge Boat Services, but the wharf was so congested that it was not practical.
We were booked to lock out with nb Sanity at 14:15 which is what we did. The water in the lower pool was very choppy with many trip boats and we were obviously causing a problem for them further up river when they wanted to maneouvre to moor. With a 6.9 metre tide, both gates at Thames Lock were open,so it was a straight run through. Bruce and Sheila were very kind to invite me for dinner and another pleasant evening was spent. Sunshine and an easterly wind.
Left Paddington at 7:30 and had a pleasant run down to Limehouse arriving there at 13:15. The weather was cool to start with, but on the other side of Islington Tunnel it was sunny and hot. At Limehouse spent 45 minutes filling the water tank before getting tied up on the wall. nb Sanity arrived later. Spent a pleasant evening with colleagues in the Grapes.
There had been a stone throwing incident last evening against the first of the boats in line - Stewkey Blue. No serious damage. The purpetrators were behind a high railing fence on the other side of the canal. The police were informed, I was told.
This morning, the water was clear enough to see shoals of small fish by the boat. Promise of a sunny day ahead. Left my companions at about 8:30 and the only incidents were a plastic bag on the prop causing severe vibration and later, at Old Oak a broad beam in the wrong position on a bend got himself aground in the bushes on the opposite side by trying to avoid me too enthusiastically. Picked up some coal and diesel from Archimedes and Ara at Little Venice and found a mooring in the basin under the wall of the hospital. Quite a strong wind blowing now.
With the success of the last CUTWEB Barbeque here, I thought that it would be a suitable spot to break the journey to Little Venice. So... leaving the overnight mooring at 7:20 and finding Denham Deep Lock with top gates open was a good start. A stop at Tesco Bulls Bridge for last minute shopping broke the journey and Willowtreewas reached at 12:00. The set about some rust prevention. The area around the Houdini Hatch requires special attention. However, had hardly scrpaped the rust off when Minihaha and Stewky Blue arrived. So it was chairs out and cooled white wine served before one could shake a cat. Lovely weather with hazy sunshine. Ideal for sitting out and this is certainly a lovely spot.
A really eventful day! Set off late this morning as I needed to prepare the evening meal in advance for the slow cooker - takes about 60W so is good to use when cruising. Put the kettle on and had a cup of coffee whilst waiting for Ironbridge Lock to fill. The boat moored above the lock overnight was having difficuly winding in the mud to return down so I used the weir stream (less mud) and joined Ian and Chris ( "Knot on Call" ) who kindly waited. They were only going for a pump out at Bridgewater Boats so went ahead to set Cassio Lock. As I arrived, slowly fortunately, I found that I had no power. The throttle cable had broken. Ian took my boat in charge and with me dismantling the Morse Control deposited me on the lower landing with a spare which he luckily carried. It took an hour to fit with the promise that I would buy two at Harefield and leave one there for him to pick up tomorrow when he returns. What luck eh! By now, being bank holiday weekend, it was busy. Boats everywhere. I continued with a constantly altering lock partner. At Coppermill, the day boat "Lovelyjob" with an inebriated rather rowdy crew on board got themselves jammed broadside on to the protecting barrier at the head of the weir stream and couldn't get off. It took two of us helping including "Condor" who eventualy gave tow. The three boats then continued to Widewater where we all parted company. Mooring tonight at Denham Country Park. The casserole was very tasty.
A really eventful day! Set off late this morning as I needed to prepare the evening meal in advance for the slow cooker - takes about 60W so is good to use when cruising. Put the kettle on and had a cup of coffee whilst waiting for Ironbridge Lock to fill. The boat moored above the lock overnight was having difficuly winding in the mud to return down so I used the weir stream (less mud) and joined Ian and Chris ( "Knot on Call" ) who kindly waited. They were only going for a pump out at Bridgewater Boats so went ahead to set Cassio Lock. As I arrived, slowly fortunately, I found that I had no power. The throttle cable had broken. Ian took my boat in charge and with me dismantling the Morse Control deposited me on the lower landing with a spare which he luckily carried. It took an hour to fit with the promise that I would buy two at Harefield and leave one there for him to pick up tomorrow when he returns. What luck eh! By now, being bank holiday weekend, it was busy. Boats everywhere. I continued with a constantly altering lock partner. At Coppermill, the day boat "Lovelyjob" with an inebriated rather rowdy crew on board got themselves jammed broadside on to the protecting barrier at the head of the weir stream and couldn't get off. It took two of us helping including "Condor" who eventualy gave tow. The three boats then continued to Widewater where we all parted company. Mooring tonight at Denham Country Park. The casserole was very tasty.
A really eventful day! Set off late this morning as I needed to prepare the evening meal in advance for the slow cooker - takes about 60W so is good to use when cruising. Put the kettle on and had a cup of coffee whilst waiting for Ironbridge Lock to fill. The boat moored above the lock overnight was having difficuly winding in the mud to return down so I used the weir stream (less mud) and joined Ian and Chris ( "Knot on Call" ) who kindly waited. They were only going for a pump out at Bridgewater Boats so went ahead to set Cassio Lock. As I arrived, slowly fortunately, I found that I had no power. The throttle cable had broken. Ian took my boat in charge and with me dismantling the Morse Control deposited me on the lower landing with a spare which he luckily carried. It took an hour to fit with the promise that I would buy two at Harefield and leave one there for him to pick up tomorrow when he returns. What luck eh! By now, being bank holiday weekend, it was busy. Boats everywhere. I continued with a constantly altering lock partner. At Coppermill, the day boat "Lovelyjob" with an inebriated rather rowdy crew on board got themselves jammed broadside on to the protecting barrier at the head of the weir stream and couldn't get off. It took two of us helping including "Condor" who eventualy gave tow. The three boats then continued to Widewater where we all parted company. Mooring tonight at Denham Country Park. The casserole was very tasty.
Just after leaving the overnight mooring, popped into Tesco for a battery and newspaper to catch up on BoJo's win for Mayor. Then set off for Ironbridge. All the locks were against me today. Batchworth is a bit tedious because one needs bow and stern ropes at the curved lower lock landing and moreover, the railings "protecting" the lock on that side prevent easy access by a single handed boater up the steps which means for me, at least, that I have to use the other side. Leave as I find! Top gate left open on departure, also Lot Mead where the top gates self open anyway. Nice to find Common Moor Lock has new gates replacing the badly leaking ones. And gates paddles now as well. This was always a slow lock in the past. Shame to see that the back pin has been lost in the process though. At the lower lock landing the bllard I selected to secure the boat with is loose. That will give someone a surprise soon unless fixed. Reported! Cassio Lock was overtopping and I was concerned that I would not be able to get the bottom gates open, but patience won in the end. The weather has turned out lovely and so have the gongoozlers. Im staying below the lock until tomorrow when it will be quieter.
There was considerable interest in this cormorants' nest built in a mobile phone mast aerial array. Who says that mobile phone masts are bad for you? The birds obviously don't seem to have a problem, or perhaps it is that the centre of this cluster is the only safe place and we really are the ones in trouble. The smal bird under the nest is a parakeet.
Nuggler is now travelling north and has reached Batchworth under solo control as Pat has returned home. Lots of boats were encountered travelling south, obviously heading for Cavalcade, so generally locks were in my favour. Several heavy rain showers were also encountered, but otherwise a pleasant day.
Leaving Cowley we noticed the two Denham Gravel Barges moored up and I remembered reading that the unloading stages at West Drayton were collapsing and needed repair. I wondered whether this was seen as a quiet way of abandoning the service. I need not have worried. As the picture shows, (click on picture to enlarge) work is well advanced with new piling being capped. We stopped at Tesco Bull's Bridge for the inevitable re-victualing and then on to Willowtree where we joined Minehaha and Stewkey Blue. Cherie, Ernest and Zavala completed the picture at about 5 pm and once the showers, some heavy, had subsided, the communal barbeque was lit and a very good evening was enjoyed.
Harefield to Cowley
The start of the new season! Well there's lots to do to get the boat into service again. It's been nearly 6 months! First is getting the water tank flushed out of over winter MPG solution. I run this off into plastic bottles, then flush through with a bit of bleach, before draining, flushing and filling. Takes a couple of hours. The stove collar had cracked again, so the hole was filled with fire cement. The batteries were in good condition with charge from the solar panaels, so no problem there. The boat is dirty of course, but we'll have to deal with that as we go. Finally, just as persistent rain got established, we set off.
nb Owl joined us out of Widewater Lock as we turned out of the marina, so worked the Denham Deep and Uxbridge Locks with us. Our aim is to attend a CUTWEB minigig at Willowtree tomorrow, but first to Uxbridge Boat Centre for a new chimney as the old one has lost its inner. Only then did the rain stop temporarily. However we found a clean mooring before the lock bridge at Cowley, perfect for the Malt Shovel tonight.
After the fireworks last night the morning was very misty. Pat set off to the prepare Ironbridge for our return and I soon lost sight of her. So waited a while and then dawdled along and got it about right. Even at 8 am there were gongoozlers at this lock. A cruiser coming off the bank above Cassio Lock opened the gate for us, but they were stopping below, so we were on our own again. Below Common Moor Lock we saw a sunken narrowboat, bows near the bank but the stern a couple of yards off and listing badly. The stern was flooded. To our surprise it was the boat we had seen the day before, "Forget Me Not". There was no one about. I wonder what had happened?
We lunched above Widewater and returned to the marina around 3 pm. Our last trip of the year probably. So an oil change, top off the diesel and think about the water system. Now I can turn on the heating remotely, I am not so worried!
We always leave home early when going to the boat to avoid London traffic. This way we can get across London in an hour. So we were actually leaving the marina at 7:20 am. Widewater lock gates were open for us as were those at Black Jack's, but thereafter, no luck. We passed a broadbeam on the way to Black Jack's, but the only other boat we saw moving was an opposite direction narrowboat called "Forget Me Not" which arrived above Common Moor Lock as we were going up. Ironbridge Lock was painfully slow as always. Here's a lock that desperately needs gate paddles! Our usual ploy when visiting Cassiobury Park is to turn above the lock and then moor there and the usual place to turn is with the bows just into the weir stream about 100 yards above the lock. However, on this occasion I was just about to start the turn when I noticed that a rope had been slung across the entrance with a notice saying "no entry, no turning". There is a turning point marked on Nichoson's. so I assumed it must be further on, but it is not marked canalside. Attempting a turn in what is essentially part of the river (with a visible flow) and with the bows getting buried in mud is not easy and took many shunts with Pat in the end pulling on the stern line from the bank. Normally, using the weir stream the bows are pulled round by the flow. I wonder what the problem appears to be for someone to be motivated enough to rope off the obvious turning point? Next time I shall ignore this notice. It's stupid.
As usual, Lot Mead Lock top gates were open. They are always so when the lock is full and any attempt to close them when leaving uphill is a waste of time. So we didn't take long to be on the way to Batchworth. There too, the top gates were open, and so it was with Stockers and Springwell. The lower lock landing at Springwell was cordoned off so we left the bottom gate open on leaving as this would make it easier for any upcoming boat. Good we did because one appeared shortly after. Coppermill was nearly full and BW were below trimming the vegeation on the offside lower landing, normally hidden in overgrowth. By 10:00 we had arrived back at Harefield Marina, checked that the car would still start as past experience made us always suspicious and loaded up for return home. Another visit will need to be made to finish the unloading because one additional passenger and a large labrador made things very tight.
We started the day by drifting across the cut to buy a newspaper at the nearby service station. Sadly, the access from the canal is being overgrown by nettles and brambles. A machete will soon be required. At the first lock the bike came out again and we resumed lock-wheeling. All the way downhill we had no traffic ahead and again, all the opposite direction stuff was perfectly timed. By 16:10 we had reached Bridgewater Boats wharf at Croxley where we needed a full cylinder of gas - now an amazing £17.50. We then proceeded on to a mooring above Lot Mead Lock.
Spurred on by the thought of the CowRoast Inn and its Thai Restaurant we set off a little earlier at 7:05. We had a good road. All the opposite direction traffic before Marsworth was below Slapton Lock. This is lock-wheeling territory so below Marsworth Pat was at the helm and Mike on the bike. The CB Radios are also useful here. I have finally worked out my call-sign. "Roving Mike". Pat did well. It was very windy which can make loitering with the boat difficult. We were up Marsworth in 1 hour 10 minutes and arrived at Cowroast at 18:15. The evening meal at the pub did not disappint.
Earlty start in bright sunshine, quite dazzling in fact with the sun still low. Blisworth was made in 2 1/2 hours and Tyro joined us for the locks. Excelent team held back by very slow and disorganised boats ahead. Bottom paddles in the third lock had not been lowered completely and extra water went down as a result which gave the boaters below difficulty in opening their gates (or so the story went). A lovely sunny day, but with a cold nip in the air. At the bottom of the flight we continued on - no sign of the disorganised team, but we met them later just about to enter Cosgrove lock. They went on ahead bound as we were for Tesco at Wolverton. However, they ran aground at the bridge after the Ouse Aqueduct and we passed them and although they soon appeared to get off, there was no sign when we left after shopping. Planning ahead we think that we could perhaps reach Cowroast (where a Thai meal might await us) tomorrow if we get ahead as far as possinle tonight, so we aimed for Peartree Bridge where we arrived at 17:40. Good analogue TV here and 3G (enabling me to upload the backlog of reports).
We had arranged to meet up with Minihaha at 730 to do the Stockton Flight together and precisely at 7:30 we started. We were at the top at 8:15 and carried on on our own to the location of our Thursday barbecue where we met up with Laura AND Pilgrim again. Angela and Mike (Laura) joined us for the three Calcutt Locks. Pilgrim moors there. At the junction we parted company, finally, and pushed on. Slow up the Braunston flight as always due to other boat movements, but we had Buckby to ourselves going down and opposite direction boats appeared at precisely the right time. At 15:00 hrs we were at Whilton Marina where we had arranged for a replacement pump to be available and whilst waiting for the techie, got a precautionary pump out (old ladies seem to use the loo more often), diesel and water. The M1 motorway is so noisy there, we pressed on to Weedon.
Quiet day on Sunday. In the morning no water on tap again. The tank should not have been empty, but just in case I checked the bilge. None there. Then emptied the cupboard and removed the floor to look at the pump. No obvious problem, but hitting it made it work. So today we have to have a new ritual of hitting the pump if we need water. A telephone call to Whilton chandlery was very helpful. When giving the part number of our existing pump we were told that it was designed to work with an accumulator and that our absence of same would have contributed to its shortened life. Fortunately they had a replacement of the correct type in stock. Getting back to the matter in hand, not such nice weather today. Nonetheless the chairs were out. Various discussions about next years GIG and it was decided to use the Blue Lias again, but with a bit more organisation perhaps to allow entertainment. The CUTWEB strolling players may have another production to mount. With such talent it is inevitable. Looking forwards to the video. Helped Laura and Pilgrim up the flight and spent the evening after supper in the pub with Glen.
Chairs were put out before long this morning and the model engineers arrived to set up their miniature traction engines. 
The smell of coal smoke soon pervaded the air. 
Once steam was up the engines did a sort of parade around the pub garden from the adjacent field. Each towed a cart on which the engineer sat. Steam narrow boat Adamant moved over and was fired up. A beautiful mechanism with a multi-tube boiler and a compound steam engine with a condenser, so it is very quiet in use. Later in the afternoon Laplander arrived at Stockton Top Lock and a greeting party went up
(below - Laplander arrives at StocktonTop Lock)
with windlasses to see it down. 
It made a very rapid descent unimpeded by other boats. After the dinner the "Cutweb Strollinging Players" performed the short play "Without a paddle" - based very loosely on 'Allo 'Allo. Great stuff. On return to the boat there was a suspicion that that we had no water on tap, then mysteriously we did. A puzzle.
Even less distance to go today, just a half hour to the top of Stockton Locks, then the descent of the seven to the Blue Lias pub where we were all expected for the weekend. With an experienced team we soon got into a rhythm and were down in no time and found moorings by the lawn outside the pub. Ann and I then walked back up the flight to assist the remaining two boats - many hands make light work! Once everyone was settled, and being a sunny morning it was only a matter of time before the chairs came out again - more sandwiches and then the drinks. Our only comittment was an eveing meal together (ordered in advance) at the pub, by which time our number had swollen to 20 and finally 22. Narrowboats Arun, Pilgrim, Laura, Prairie Crocus, Virgo, Ayelstone, Harnser, Minihahah and of course Nuggler. The steamboat Adamant was moved across the canal to moor with us as tomorrow, Saturday, there is to be a steam fair in the adjacent field and we are also expecting the steam icebreaker Laplander to join us tomorrow. Grannie arrives tonight courtesy of Chloe, who stays overnight and returns home tomorrow.
Not so far to go today, so a lazy start with an experimental breakfast using a recipe for hash brown potatoes Excellent! Then up pins and off at 8:00. Drifting towards the top of Calcutt Locks we saw nb Minihaha and made contact with fellow Cutweb Members Ann & Bill. We stopped for water and much chatting ensued. We were hereby invted to join them and two other couples for a barbecue at some point before our final destination at Blue Lias. Ann helped us down the locks eventually and we set off to find a spot which we did fortuitously at Tomslow Bridge. The others joined us at about 10:30 and the chair and tables were set out in the sunshine. Coffee and bacon sandwiches appeared soon after by which time it was past midday and the wine appeared, then later the barbecue and still the chatting and laughter went on until dusk. A great day.
We were first up the locks today, so good speed. Having done so well, once we crossed the long meandering top pound we though we could go down the Napton Flight and have an easier day tomorrow. Finding no queue at the top lock (Marston Doles) we were exited, but soon caught up with two very slow boats ahead. Nevertheless, we made it to the Bridge Inn and moored there. We visited the pub after supper and did not use the restaurant on this occasion, but it does have a good reputation and we must try their menu in the future.
It had been a chilly night with clear skies. We awoke to a sunny morning with shrouds of mist over the fields and canal which cleared very quickly. We set off at our usual time and cleared the first two locks by 8:30. Rounding the corner we saw some mored boats ahead and some activity on one, then a cloud f blue smoke as the engine fired up. The owner must have then sen us, because he ran down the length of the boat throwing ropes abord with wild abandon, leapt to the helm and set off as fast as he could - all so that he could be in front.
An early start as usual so that we have a relaxed afternoon. Once past the mile of moored boats we reached the curious diamond shaped Shipton Weir Lock. After that a short spell at river speed on the Cherwell before the canal and its leisurely speed. There was very little traffic about to slow our progress. Expecting to find the Farm Shop above Pigeon Lock open we looked forward to fresh eggs, a steak and Guinness pie, and fresh cream. It is closed until Easter! Over midday the wind became very much stronger making lingering around for locks difficult. So we were forced to moor up formally each time. Although there were opposite direction boats, none gave us the luxury of a straight in approach. Aynho Wharf was reached at 14:30 and we found our usual mooring by the bridge vacant, so settled there for a sunny afternoon.
Having undertaken the bulk of the journey to Oxford yesterday, and having promised our guests arrival at Oxford by midday, we still had time for a reasonably leisurely start . So a full English breakfast was put on before departure about 8:20. Arriving a few minutes later at the automated lock we noticed that the bottom gate paddles were partially raised, so the lock was empty. Expecting to just press the button to open the gates were disappointed. Nothing happened. Understanding that the system is automatic and well interlocked to prevent mishap we tried lowering the paddles, but still nothing. After a lot of deep thought and reviewing the instructions several times it became clear that the gates would expect to be opened after the lock was emptied, so the paddles would be up. We tried this, and once the system had gone through its 5 minute cycle and the paddles were fully up, the gates did indeed open. Then a pump-out - best one (best pumping system and duration) for ages. Sanford Lock, the deepest on the river, is a bottom fill and is relatively gentle. After Iffley Lock there were masses of rowers to avoid, but once clear of these we had a clear run to Osney Lock and the moorings above where we could connect our guests with the railway station. Godstow Lock was self service and Kings Lock the last we would use on the Thames, but waiting for a boat to descend at the later meant that the lock-keeper was back from lunch to look after us. Then we joined the Oxford Canal and much slower passage due to the masses of mored boats and shallowness of the water. Entering Roundham Lock the boat ground to a halt, stuck. Opening a top paddle flushed it out again and employing more kinetic energy rode the boat over whatever it had grounded on sufficiently to get the gate closed. Finally we saw a decent mooring outside the Jolly Boatman and tied up there. Good DTV from Oxford and a free WiFi connection from the pub.
Yesterday we moved the boat from the Prison Loop to Reading Bridge so that we would have a clear getaway today with two less locks to negotiate, because we would have around 27 miles to cover to Abingdon. So this morning, at 6:30 we set off and one hour later arrived at Mapledurham Lock to do a self service winding job. This went well and WHitchurch lock likewise. Time for bacon rolls! Thereafter we had serviced locks. By Cleeve Lock the weather was not getting any warmer but out came the canapes and Pimms anyway. We tried the trick of lighting the stove with the experience that this brought the sun out, but this didn't work either. So we were surprised to reach Abingdon at 15:30 and get a good mooring by the bridge. We had time then for an exploration of the town and the French Market as well as reconnoitering for the evening meal. We tried "Broad Face", expensive but not disappointing.
Our mooring, quiet though it was had one disadvantage. It was under a horse chestnut tree and occasional falls of conkers during the night woke us from time to time, one hitting the mushroom like ringing a bell. There is convenient access to the railway station and Pat left at 11:00 for her day trip to Orpington. I remained to do some cleaning and then in the afternoon, take the boat to the Thames & Kennet Marina for fuel and water. This oinvolved passage of Blakes Lock, unmanned going down, and the whole exercise took two hours. Pat returned at 18:30 and we repaired to Wetherspoons for Curry Club.
The Abbey adjacent to the moorings
We only had three locks to negotiate today, so a leisurely start at 8:00 am. Dodging a few isolated rowers we soon arrived at Marsh Lock and the task of working the lock ourselves by winding a large wheel to generate the hydraulic pressure to operate the gates and sluices. The top gates were open and the sluice too, so lots of action to deal with those before moving to the other end to drain the lock and open the gates. As we set about that, a cruiser appeared in the distance and reached the lock just as I had the gates open. It seems that the skipper had no idea that we were doing this ourselves and thought Pat was the lock-keeper. 25 minutes from beginning to end. By the time we reached the next lock is was, of course, manned being after 9.00am. Arriving at Reading we were pleased to find a mooring outside Tesco supermarket. Usually they are full. There was much debate about where to stop for the three nights we Will need to stay here. Pat has to go to London as do I and we are meeting friends on Friday evening to join us to Oxford. 
In the end we settled for the Prison Loop (pictured) on the River Kennet, one lock away but reasonably quiet. As the name suggests, the mooring is by the Reading Jail - and the Abbey ruins. There is quite a stream running on the Kennet which makes manoeuvering interesting!
A long day anticipated. A sort of test really as we will need to try and do Reading to Abingdon on Saturday with our guests. So we left at 7:15 and did Old Windsor Lock ourselves. This is push button automated and the gates were already open for us. As we were in the lock a bunch of Environment Agency Maintenance men arrived with wet suits to inspect the local weirs. On to Romney Lock where we just beat the lock-keeper to open the gates. We had no real delays until the small Bray Lock where only two plastic cruisers ahead of us could get in. Weather wise we still had the chill wind and decided to light the fire, partly to induce the sun to appear, which it duly did. By Marlow it was shirt sleeves. There were plenty of moorings at Henley, but the warden was waiting and got our £6 very promptly. Supper in the Wetherspoons in the main street. TV reception analogue only, though how much the damaged aerial is the problem I cannot say. There is a free WiFi here.
The meteorologists promised us a fine day, but high cloud kept the sun off (so much for global warming) and the chilly north wind was not at all pleasant.
We took about an hour to get to the first lock at Hampton Court. There was little traffic on the move, so no real lock delays from then on. At Staines we found a mooring to allow Pat to get off to buy a paper and very soon we were at Runnymead where there are decent public moorings for overnight. Tomorrow we will make for Henley
We are now on our way to a CUTWEB gathering at the Blue Lias pub (again). Our route is the reverse of our trip there in April, i.e. Thames Oxford Canal and back via GU. The tide at Brentford today was suitable for a 17:00 hrs locking out, so we left Harefield early, at 7:30, treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast at the lockside cafe by Cowley Lock and then a quick shopping expedition to Tesco at Bulls Bridge to stock up of essentials. We paired up with Alan & Pam on nb "Dawn Chorus" for the Hanwell Flight and arrived at Brentford in good time to get tideway preparations done. A few boats had gone down the gauging locks ahead of us, so we lingered a bit knowing that we would otherwise only be held up hovering in the wind above Thames Lock. As it was we arrived just in time to join the last boat, nb Ataraxia, and set off up River on a 7.1m tide. There had been some sunshine earlier, but out on the River, the wind was very strong and a coat needed. I wanted to give the engine a bit of an exercise, so wound it up to 1800 rpm and we were in Teddington in 40 minutes, joining the earlier Brentford Lockings in the lock. (Later, the washing up water was so hot it must have been near boiling!). Paying our £5.50 to the lock-keeper, we found a space on the new Teddington moorings and settled down to a night on the telly. Unfortunately, it has to be reported, that one of the aerial reflectors fell off into the water. No sign of the bottom, so that's that! Good digital TV from Crystal Palace and 3G phone.
We left our mooring at 7:40 again with Pat at the helm. The bike was extricated at the first of Cassiobury Park Locks. There is quite a distance between the bottom of these two and the next, Ironbridge Lock, but it is such a slow fill that Pat had to wait for the level. Cassio Lock, however, was full and so the lockwheeler had a long wait. Common Moor Lock ( it seems that BW cannot spell the name of this lock correctly)
has very badly leaking gates top and bottom. There appeared to be very little traffic moving, and we only had to wait once, at Coppermill Lock, for an opposite direction boat. We reached Widewater at 12:00 midday and moored there for lunch and a few odd jobs like cleaning the bike, before moving down to the marina, a pump out (£12 - £14 for non-berth holders) and diesel (55p). The evening was spent stowing luggage, supper and a visit to the nearby Horse & Barge (no draught beer available).
PS Now I have broadband again, I plan to upload some pictures. Watch this space.
We set off early as usual in lockwheeling mode this time. The Northchurch pump was working and the pound below down a bit but with beautiful clear water. The next lock, Bushes Lock, is due for gate adjustments and is probably the reason why this pound is often low. Progress was rapid and we caught up with nb Chantilly Lace at Lock 56 after Berkhamsted. They were going as far as Winkwell and we then continued on alone again. Pat left to visit Sainsbury at Apsley Lock and was back by the time I had worked through. I put the bike aboard at Nash Mills for lunch on the go and as we passed nb Kiwi Bach they indicated that they would like to join us. So, bike out again at lock 70 and progress speeded up again until Grove Bridge where we found a mooring as planned. 
There was time to deal with a few odd jobs before supper, some repairs to the cratch cover and cutting up some of the wood which we have collected along the way for the stove. Tomorrow we will complete our journey back to Harefield if all goes as planned.
A dull overcast sky and a hint of rain in the air. The Captain lockwheeled all the way to the top of Marsworth while Pat (First Mate) took the helm. At each lock I took the bow rope and took the bow right up to the top gate and then fixed the rope to the back pin. Opening the nearside ground paddle first this approach kept the boat fairly docile with the bows nudging the cill, then the gate and gently moving with the arc of the bowrope so that the bows ended up in the middle. This worked well until we got a metal gate which does not have boards across its whole width. The button got stuck under the gate and broke a link in its chain. My fault! I was just a few seconds slow in asking Pat to pull the boat back. A repair using a bit of wire coathanger was made at the next lock. We only passed three boats until the middle of the main Marsworth flight where I made a social boo-boo of the worst kind - I didn 't spot a boat coming down and so turned a lock round in front of them. We had been obviously following another boat and all the top gates thus far had been open. Marsworth is a very curving flight and so I looked ahead before closing this top gate and thought I saw the boat ahead manoeuvring into the next lock. In fact a boat was just about to come out. Worse still, they could see me closing the gate apparently. There was a brief comment about wasting water, but this is a myth as far as I am concerned. Whatever happens my boat has to take one lockful of water out of the pound above at every lock to get to the top whatever happens. Water is only "wasted" if a lock is filled and then emptied again without a boat moving in it, but otherwise it makes no difference if boats pass in one lock or the next. The crime I was guilty of was of making the other boat wait, rather than ourselves (if at all). After crossing the top pound we joined another boat in Cowroast Lock and afterwards stopped at the nearby service station for a newspaper before mooring up for the night. DTV from Hemel Hempstead transmitter and GPRS. (MF)
Those who frequent the Grand Union Canal will remember Cowroast Lock, the top lock after the climb up to the Chiltern Hills from London. They may not be aware of the Cowroast Inn and its top rate Thai Restaurant. Leave the lock by the bridge and aim for the main road. The unassuming pub is opposite. Definitely recommended.
Leaving Giffard Park we settled down for the long lockless haul through Milton Keynes proper. Passing Fenny Stratford Lock we passed nb Sanity with Bruce at the helm. Sanity is another Braidbar Boat and Bruce runs the owners' Yahoo discussion group. We had scarcely seen another boat before this but suddenly every few minutes we met another pair of opposite direction boats. Three more were waiting for us above Stoke Hammond Lock, but after that no more until we moored up. The Soulbury Three Locks were deserted, unusually. Passing TESCO at Leighton Buzzard Pat leapt off for some stores, while I carried on to find somewhere to tie up for a while. At the next Lock there is a Fullers Pub converted from an old Lock House - the Grove Lock. 
We found a quiet mooring for the night just above the lock and a welcome pint and chat with another boater in the pub.
We wern't the first off the mark this morning. A boat woke me coming by at about 5 am. When we were ready to go at about 7:15 we were surprised to see how many boats had in fact left. Two boats of stag party returning their boats to the Gayton Marina base were among them. As we were preparing the top lock the lockie came by, went to his shed, got his windlass and put on his life jacket and set off down the flight. We picked up another boat, ERIN, in the long pound and found that the lock-keeper was setting locks for us all the way down. A lone boat was in the bottom lock coming up and we were out by 9:00am. ERIN crew stopped there for breakfast. We stopped for water and rubbish disposal then on again for Cosgrove. Boy! Does this lock need a bit of grease! The squealing noises made when winding the paddles was ear wrenching. I hate to see mechanical things like this neglected. Perhaps an oilcan should be part of the ship's inventory. At Wolverton, where the metal steps lead up to the main road, there is a huge development of residential accommodation going on. The remains of the railway carriage works where my grandfather used to work are also being demolished. More flats I suppose. Anyway, we stopped there for shopping at the nearby TESCO. Finally we found a mooring in Great Linford at the North East corner of Milton Keynes near the Giffard Park Pub. A sunny day, but cool nevertheless. 
Showers promised.
A much more promising day weatherwise. We set off towards Hillmorton and Pat dropped me off with the bike at bridge 69. As yesterday she was nervous about handling the boat in the locks herself, but needn't have worried. The locks were in our favour and with two opposite directions as well. She managed the 80 degree turn before the middle lock perfectly, but I had forgotten that the bow needs to be on the top gate going up at Hillmorton. There was a bit of a runaway as the lock filled which Pat couldn't hold on the engine. Proceeding on, all the hire boats that had poured past the previous evening and scattered themselves along the canal were waking up and soon we were in a small queue going towards Braunston. As always there was a lot of traffic in the Braunston Locks. We teamed up with Mona Lisa with a skipper much after my own heart using similar techniques, so Pat really enjoyed herself and gained enormously in confidence. The boat ahead had moored up for lunch at the top, but by the time we got to the end of the tunnel we had caught up with the boat in front of them. No moorings at the top of Buckby, but below the lock a boater kindly moved his boat back for us to make room. Good DTV from "Sandy". GPRS. Today the weather had improved steadily, the wind had dropped and the afternoon was spend polishing the brass and sitting out on the grass. One of Pat's great curries completed the day - oh and a pint or two at the canalside pub.
A very windy night with the back doors rattling in spite of the extra catch I fitted. WE left early at 07:45. Cruising along it is evident that the towpath is is very poor condition in places with totally overgrown vegetation, deep mud and occasionally total collapse. This latter prevents access by mechanised mowers, so probably the reason for the other problems. Evidence of DEFRA cuts? The grass banks at Ansty, previously giving the village an attractive well kept look were also overgrown. At Grimes Bridge we came up behind a slower boat just off its mooring and followed it all the way to the other side of Newbold Tunnel, the tunnel resplendent with its multicoloured interior lighting. Passed Tony Haynes' boat Dreamcatcher at Stretton Stop with its large SOW banner. Then we came across Lapworth at Falls Bridge - no sign of Sean. We found a mooring on the TESCO side at Master's Bridge and went shopping. Not a pleasant experience. It was heaving (well it's Friday I suppose). Good ATV from Sutton Coldfield and 3G phone. Then I did something outrageous. Waxed one side of the boat! It will r
Bright and even sunny this morning. Anxious to try and crack the Atherstone Flight before it gets too busy we left Polesworth at 7:10 am. We needn't have bothered. At the first bit of straight we saw the tail of a boat disappearing round the corner ahead. As we approached the bottom lock another boat was loosening mooring ropes. Pat has never taken the boat into a lock before, but with her painful wrist we thought this the best option. I would lock wheel and do the locky bits for her while she stayed on the boat. She was very nervous, mostly I think out of fear of making a fool of herself. Her fears were unjustified. Every entrance to the locks was a greaser (aeronautical term for a very smooth landing). Our revised team made very good progress only hampered by one idiot who seeing boats coming, expedited a departure off moorings above the second lock up, jumped the queue and cut up a boat coming down through a bridge hole in the process. There were of course the inevitable opposite direction boats as well. Using the bike was a great help as it was possible to set the next lock, then nip back to see Pat out and shut the gates from the lock below, lift a paddle for those behind and still be at the next lock before her. So we reached the top at around 11:20 where we took the local waters and Pat nipped off to the nearby stores. Resuming our journey we caught up with a boat in front exactly at Hawkesbury Junction at around 16:20, then had to follow through the stop lock. For a change there were moorings on the bend. No sooner were we inside the boat when the rains set in.
Moored two feet from the bank it was expected that we find ourselves aground this morning. However, putting the engine into reverse and pushing from the bank finally got us off. Surprisingly, even at the late hour of 8:00 am (for us) other boats were already on the move. We needed diesel and Streethay was not far off, so we could not arrive too early. We got very prompt and firendly service and were soon on our way after retrieving another plastic bag from the propellor. Pressing on, boats seemed to appear at every bridge hole necessitating hard reverse, the guaranteed way of picking up plastic. This part of the Coventry Canal has not yet had the dredging that the Staff & Worcs has benefitted from and supports very heavy traffic, so further erosion is inevitable. We stopped briefly at Hopwas so that Pat could get a paper and then aimed for Polesworth. Passing Fazeley we expect Glascote Locks, usually a busy spot as isolated locks tend to be. We were not disappointed. The queue stretched back to the railway bridge - about 7 boats. As always a chance to chat and meet new folk. Ahead of us was a couple of Kiwis who to their surprise found that the Canaltime boat in front was also crewed by New Zealanders. We had a wait of 1 hour 50 minutes in intermittent heavy rain showers. Pat has a painful thumb and it is not good for her to be using the windlass, so it is an opportunity to encourage her to manage the boat in locks instead. The Kiwis back set the next lock for us which was very helpful and oppopsite direction traffic at the top gave us a quick getaway. Sooner than expected we reached Polesworth and its tidy moorings. No decent TV signal here though as were are behind a hill.
Technically it was raining again as we left Radford this morning, but only a few drops. Otherwise the weather was quite bright but with threatening black clouds in the distance. The cruise alongside the sodden plain by the River Sow and the busy railway line was essentially uneventful. Tixal Wide had its usual complement of moored boats. Do you get a plaque for this? Tixall Lock was waiting for us, but after Great Haywood Junction traffic built up and we were now having to queue for the locks - but there are only two until near Fradley, so no worries. Pat's wrist is playing up, so I have forbidden her the use of a windlass and she now manages the boat in the lock which all works very well. We stopped at Rugeley for the supermarket and then set off again having lunch on the move. No conflicting traffic at Armitage Tunnel which is a longish stretch of single line working. Nearing Kings Bromley we saw two boats ahead and sure enough, there was a queue at Woodend Lock. Just as we entered the heavens opened for 10 minutes. Its amazing how everyone just laughs it off. Once we had our place in the locking sequence there was no further delay to speak of other than waiting for opposite direction boats. Pat was waiting on the front of the boat to leap off and swing the bridge at the junction, but little luck with moorings. We are on paupers row, right at the end near the bridge and aground about 2 feet from the bank. During a moment of idle thought on the way I was asking Pat "Why don't we see dead ducks?. We see lots of baby ducks and adult ducks, but no dead ducks". "Duck knows," she said!
Guess what! It was raining again this morning, quite heavily to start with. We left Wightwick at 7:20. Pat went ahead and set the next two locks and then left the boat at Compton to visit the local Spar shop for newspaper and essential supplies while I worked the nearby lock very slowly and then waited there for her. As usual, in the rain, I work with bare feet and shorts. Wet grass soaks shoes but bare feet dry almost instantly when out of the water. Nonetheless I was a little surprised to see a chap come by shirtless and soaking wet who obviously found this more comfortable that walking around in soaking clothes. Once above Compton we were on the top level and began the long haul to Gailey Lock where the descent begins. After Autherley Junction we began to meet lots of opposite direction boats, though thankfully, none in the narrows through the rock cutting. At Gailey I was attracted to the empty wharf by the diesel pump, but they were "too busy" to serve me and suggested Teddesley, but when we got there the place was closed (Monday!). Continuing on we met a very enthusiastic family working thier first lock on their own. They did very well, so top marks to Anglo-Welsh at Great Haywood. Stopping on the old wharf at Radford we visited the "Radford Bank" pub. No decent beer here, but good for food last time we were here. Good digital TV and 3G.
Sunday: It was raining again this morning. A couple of fishermen walked by the boat with their massive luggage trolleys in tow reminding us that it was Sunday and that we might meet more along the way. Sure enough, round the first corner a fishing competition was being staged. Large umbrellas rose from the bank at regular intervals like a crop of large mushrooms. Perhaps it was first thing with a new day of opportunity ahead, but even in the rain they were a cheerful lot. And I mean lot. Pat nipped up to the local shop at Swindon and bought the inevitable milk and newspaper, whilst I carried on alone for 10 minutes. The Staffs & Worcs locks are a bit of a problem for the unmanned boat I find. Usually one puts the bow up to the top gate, because that's where it will always end up. However with these locks, no matter how careful you are with the paddles, the boat first runs back and then takes a running charge towards the top gate. We lost a glass dish yesterday with this performance, so now I remain on the boat at the back of the lock and only get off near the end to help with closing one paddle to save Pat crossing the gate again. At the Botterham Staircase pair with its massive bywash in the top offside wall for when one forgets to drain the bottom lock first, I got into a discussion with a boater about whether or not it is more efficient for boats to go down in sequence or alternately and now agree that it makes no difference. A boat takes a lockful of water with it on its journey however you look at it. The three Bratch locks were almost clear, with one boat on the way down, so no delay there. By now the sun was appearing and the sharp showers less frequent. We reached Whitwick at 13:50 and decided to call it a day, since good mooring opportunities do not present themselves for a while.
Saturday: We returned to the boat last evening and immediately set out to find a Chinese takeaway. The one on the main drag from bridge 5 turned out to be excellent indeed. Overnight the promised rain arrived, some of it heavy judging by the noise on the roof. While we were away, our friends had re-arranged the boats and we were on the towpath with VIRGO breasted up to us. We needed a pump-out and water, so extricated ourselves by holding VIRGO's bow and stern ropes from the bank and reversing out around the boat moored behind us. I did have to nip up onto the roof to free the stern rope which had lodged under the boat pole, but essentially it all went according to plan. We then negotiated York Road Lock and reversed onto the sanitary station point. This is a BW self service pump-out machine operated with one of the new £10 cards. It gives six minutes worth which is not quite enough for my tank, so as expected, just as I was getting down to the nasty black stuff at the bottom of the tank it gave up. If the poor boater who follows me is daft enough to open the valve before connecting up to the boat he or she will get their shoes dirty, as the residue which remains in the pipe falls out. So after all it was about 9:00 am before we set off back up the canal. The rain was light and not troublesome, but after Kidderminster Town Lock it became heavy for the next hour and a half and by lunch time my feet were bathing in little shoe sized paddling pools. So a stop for lunch and a stove lighting procedure to start to dry off. After lunch it seemed wise to put on the ultimate wet weather gear which I normally reserve for winter cruising. From past experience deployment of this kit always stops the rain falling - and so it turned out. Well, to be honest it changed it to very light rain. At Kinver, our first choice for overnight mooring, there were no moorings left. So we carried on to Stewponey and found the 24 hour moorings clear. Once moored, two boats we passed moored at Kinver have gone by. We were too early this time!
Since the last report, much has happened. Our Roving Rally started and ended on Monday at the Severn Valley Tandoori in Stourport. Between the time of our arrival and the evening, the river had risen a foot and had covered the top of the gates at the bottom of the lower twin of the staircase pair. We had received messages that the Saul Canal and Folk Music Festival was cancelled. Later information revealed that the site was under 4 feet of water. Some members set off back up the canal yesterday, whilst other have left today. We have elected to wait a couple of days, but the forecast is promising more rain and the river has not gone down any more this morning. So our plan is to leave shortly for home via the Staffs & Worcs, Trent & Mersey, Coventry and Oxford Canals. Our booking for Saul is to carried over until next year. I will put up some photos of the river at the next opportunity.
Listening to the rain on the roof in the early hours, the omens are not good for the cruise down to Gloucester. We left Kinver in the rain and shortly after Whittington Lock came across a fallen tree leaving only a boat width of water to creep by on the towpath side. The rain became heavier as time went on and the wind made us all feel so cold that I was driven to light the fire. Then the chimney caught on a bridge and resulted in the corroded inner liner becoming detatched. Does anybody know of a good supply of new chimneys? However, by Kidderminster and the inevitable shopping expedition to Sainsbury, the sky was looking brighter and the rain had stopped. We received a telephone message to say that the River was closed again, and that those boats hoping to have left today had not been able to. We were at the same time invited to moor up alongside other members of the group on arrival at Stourport. Arriving at the end of the line of moored boats a stressed looking boater emerged telling us that the basin was full, the River closed and there was nowhere to moor, so we had better back up immediately. Fortunately we knew better. After lunch we went down to have a look at the water. It is brown and fast moving with logs and other debris going with it. The level is up to the full line on the lowest lock of the staircase - about 11 feet I suppose. So now we can relax for a few days. It doesn't look as if we will get to Saul after all. Tonight a group curry evening!
An excellent evening spent at the Vine last night with Terry & Chris introducing us to Bathams Bitter. Great atmosphere. Very impressing also on the walk back to the boat after dark to find the towpath lit and security cameras every 100 yards. Good to know that someone is watching the boat, so this might even be a good spot to leave a boat for a few days. This morning we left at 07:00 in the rain. With a crew of four the boat never stopped moving except for one lock before Kinver whilst we waited for opposite direction traffic. 
"Delph 9" (actually 8 locks) was seen off in 40 minutes and we reached the Stockton 16 before we realised, we were having such a good time. Our progress down was uninterrupted as were the last four locks down to the Staffs & Worcs at Stewponey. The almost complete lack of boats on the Stourbridge Canal contrasted with the many moored boats on this canal and the comparitive increase in traffic. The water point at Kinver was vacant, so we availed ourselves of that with a good flow to boot. Such a change from most of the water points we have sampled thus far where the flow has been poor. There was also a mooring above the lock. What luck. A meal is booked for this evening in the Vine (at Kinver).
