UK Canals - Journey reports

Sunday Lunch at the Malt Shovel

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.   The lock was waiting for us, as was a cruiser waiiting to come up.  There was half a boat length available on the end of the visitor mooring, so we took that after winding and went and enjoyed a good lunch at the nearby pub.

Returning, the weather had turned quite hot.  Uxbridge Lock was the usual problem needing to be turned.  A long term apparently unlicenced boat was on the end of the lock mooring and the vicious bywash spewing water out in the centre of the remaining length.  The only way to get ashore to work the lock is to run the boat right into the angle of the gate under the bridge and then leave it in gear with the rudder lashed.   With all this, by the time we had closed the gates and opened the paddles there was a boat behind.   I enquired if they were continuing on with the intention of waiting at Denham but Dragonfly was winding ahead of us so we went up with them.   Half and hour later we were at the marina.

Back to base

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. 

Up the Thames

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.

Limehouse

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.

Paddington Basin

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.

Willowtree (again)

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.

Denham Country Park

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.

Denham Country Park

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.

Denham Country Park

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.

Ironbridge Lock

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.

Batchworth

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.

Willowtree

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.