As scheduled, we are now on our way to the Inland Waterways Association annual festival, this year at Beale Park on the Thames. We have been advised that because of the drought conditions, the Thames is short of water and the weirs have been closed off. The Environment Agency (reponsible for the river) is attempting to save water by reducing the number of lockings and so there may be considerable delays in our journey. Our plan is first to return to Limehouse Basin and then make the transit of the river from there up the tidal section to Teddington (Saturday 7:00 departure). So today we return to Paddington, having checked with the Lock Keeper at Limehouse that our intended plans are OK, otherwise we could have diverted through Brentford, a more direct route. Leaving Harefield Marina at 7:30, the first lock, Denham Deep, was waiting for us with gates open. Thinking that this was an indication of a smooth passage through the other two locks was a mistake. Approaching Uxbridge Lock we saw a gravel barge waiting, with the sole operator closing the bottom gates to fill the lock. We moored up to offer assistance. This was one of the two purpose built barges that have been the subject of so much criticism. My personal view is that they should have been containerised with hoppers that could be craned out and emptied by tipping to speed the turn round. As it is they are emptied with a grabber from the bank, a slow process. Once the lock had dropped, we opened the bottom gates, but then it seems as if the fit in the lock is so tight that the barge was unable to shift enough water back to propel itself out. It was necessary to open the top paddle to flush it out. We followed on and soon caught up with it, passing after the Mill Road Bridge only to find ourselves behind another one at Cowley Lock. So this time we helped the boat we had just passed, though the lock, and went into the Toll House Cafe for a bacon sandwich and cup of tea. Having given the two gravel boats a bit of a lead we then had a straightforward run through, first to Alperton for a visit to the supermarket, and then on to a good mooring in Paddington Basin. 
Today the weather has given us some torrential downpours. Our new jackets really do keep us dry!
Paddington Basin with spiral bridge in background
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