UK Canals - Journey reports

Next Trip

We plan to leave for Birmingham on the 20th July and after a short layover, proceed to the River Trent and the northern canals for the summer.

Harefield

We set off at 7:15 and had a good run through to Harefield.   The gravel barges were both loading and Arundel was passed moored, but getting ready for work.

Return to base - via Tidal Thames

Heavy rain overnight!  Having arranged with the lock keepers at both Limehouse and Brentford we were ready for a locking out onto the River at 11:30.    We had one other boat to accompany us.  Our preparations included the anchor made ready of course, the VHF, engine checks, life jackets and the Eberspacher exhaust sealed.   It is also a good idea to check the Notices to Mariners in case of any specific warnings, although the half hourly broadcasts by London VTS give any important advice.   Leaving at this time the trip boats are in full operation, hence the Limehouse Reach tends to be very choppy as indeed it was.   Nothing dangerous, just exciting.  After an uneventful run up river we cleared Brentford at 14:15 and found the River Brent "quite vigorous" after all the heavy rain overnight and we needed more engine revs than used so far all this trip.   Potentially difficult is the exit of the river just below Hanwell bottom Lock, however, I let Pat off early and the lock was ready for a straight-in approach.   For the first few locks we had a large audience.  BW, as part of some London wide initiative, had a "Canal Day" in progress.   There was a Gazebo just above the bottom Lock with information and a character in period costume was escorting walks to Brunel's three in one bridge.    Further up the flight I was disappointed to find that the offside bottom steps, and approaches are still partially obstructed by vegetation at lock 94.  Not very nice if paired with another boat.  This is illustrated in the two pictures. (Click to enlarge).

Rain threatened, but never happened and the temperature was such that we needed the fire again.   So much for flaming June.   At Cowley, we moored practically in a tree and settled down for an early start in the morning.

A rest day

We didn't go anywhere today. We had negotiated with the lock-keeper an extra night on the wall and Michael had a function to attend in Radlett.   Not an easy journey by public transport at the weekend.   So many engineering works!

Official Opening Three Mills Lock

Up early this morning to make preparations for the St Pancras Cruising Club organised trip to the new Three Mills Lock on the Bow Back Rivers.   This is the lock that has been especialy constructed to allow large commercial barge operations in connection with the Olympic Park construction site.   It will not be available to leisure boaters in future, so it was now or never.   There was the VHF radio to fix up, engine checks and the flags to erect.  We string flags front to back using inverted 'T' poles.  As we had a number of bridges to negotiate I decided to cut these down which actually makes a moire stable arrangement.   

 Our booking for Bow Locks was for 10:00 am and the whole exercise was to take place on the one tide, so 12 boats had to be locked out and back at Bow and then the ceremonial bits done and back through Bow before the water was lost.   Not wanting to have any unnecessary delay we all set off from Limehouse in good time.   We should not have worried.   At Bow Locks they were unloading some of the stone blocks belonging to the Euston Arch that have been retrieved from the canal. (Picture left) As a result it was 10:30 or later before we got moving.  Once at the entrance of the Prescott Channel again more waiting, this time for the commercial (huge)

barge and its tugs due to be first through the lock.  This movement was associated with dignitaries on the lock bridge, speeches etc.  Then we were locked down onto the canalised section of the channel 8 boats in one locking, proceeded to the end of the channel, turned and retraced our steps all the way to Limehouse.  Nobody got left on the mud.

 

Three Mills Lock.   It has sector gates.   We actually had to lock down to the new channel.  To the right of the lock are the large sluice gates for use in flood.

 

Dignitaries line up on the bridge after speeches (which we were too far away to hear) and after we had been let into the lock.

Paddington to Limehouse

Our guests Sam and Gemma were to leave for work at 08:00 and a full English was on order, so we were up at 6:30 to deal with this.  Once they had gone we left the mooring and set off through Maida Vale Tunnel picking up a few plastic bags on the way.  Arriving at Camden we were disappointed to find ourselves behind two boats with the habit of leaving both bottom gates open for us.  However, occasional opposite direction traffic broke up the routine and whilst waiting at St Pancras I took the opportunity of retrieving the bag collection from the propeller.  We had a clear run through Islington Tunnel but found two "continuous moorer" type boats on the City Road Lock landing (shown in the picture), thus necessitating a nose into the lock gate technique.  The lower lock landing and moorings were similarly obstructed, so it must have been a "rally".   Carrying on past Old Ford Lock with its tricky self opening bottom gates requiring have a top paddle before they will stay closed, we began to encounter a lot of blanket weed.  Not  serious problems yet, but I dare say if the warm weather continues it will get worse.  At Salmon Lane Lock Pat had a bit of an accident with the offside bottom gate paddles.  The pawl does not catch properly to leave the paddle up.  Whilst investigating, her grip on the windlass slipped; it spun furiously and hit her wrist.   We found a spot on the wall at Limehouse and reported our intentions to the lock-keeper, reporting the accident at the same time.  The lockie was extremely helpful, allowing us to stay until Sunday and proffering a range of literature (2 new editions of the tideway manuals, the lock availability guide and a local amenity guide.  Excellent stuff.

Litle Venice to Paddington

Last evening we had a very pleasant meal at Zizzi canalside.  Today promises to be even hotter than yesterday, but where we are moored round the bend at Little Venice at least there is shade.  However, this is not really where we want to be because tomorrow evening we need to be at our daughter's hotel for dinner.  She works at the "Hempel" a boutique hotel in Lancaster Gate. Trendy place I am told, so we will have to appear trendy.  Difficult for a couple of peasants.  The boat is disgustingly dirty, so a wash was in order and while this was going on, Chloe tackled the brass while Pat went on a recce to see if we could move the boat back to the Paddington Arm and be closer to our evening venue.  No luck though on the first attempt.  All the boats there appeared locked up with no evidence of any movement.  However, on the second attempt an hour later, she identified a boat that was due to move so that we could be waiting for the spot.  So a long reverse down the length of the Little Venice straight, through the narrows, a cunning spin round in the basin, down the length of the Arm and a turn at the end to end up at the destined mooring facing the right way for departure tomorrow.  Settled in our new mooring we have the full heat of the sun but at least full power from the solar panels.   We wont have to run the engine again today.   Nipping out to get a newspaper at lunchtime it seems that the useful Sainsburys Local in the amphitheatre is open again.  The office workers were there in their droves enjoying the lunch hour.  Finally, a picture of Alfie. That's the white furry one!

Harefield to Little Venice

Our first real trip of the year starts here.  We have an incentive to start early - the promise of breakfast at Cowley Lock Cafe.  So we got to the boat at about 7:00.  Our daughter Chloe is with us with her West Highland Terrier, 'Alfie'.  This little miscreant is only 7 months old and it is his first boating experience.  He came kitted out with life jacket!  He seems to take to the boat OK rushing up and down the gangway.   Setting off at a leisurely pace, we are joined at Denham Deep Lock and have company to Cowley.  There we moor up and take the MegaBreakfast deal alfresco in the warm sunshine.  Well worth the stop. There are too many boats about!  No nice easy moorings today. Sharing Cowley Lock with Taget, also from Harefield, we go first and all's well until just before West Drayton bridge there is a plop from behind. "Alfie" has fallen in and is swimming round in circles wondering what to do.   Of course, he cannot get out unaided, but as we reverse to grab him a helpful dog walker comes to his rescue.  He is grateful for his rescue and is now more cautious.  Stopping at Bulls Bridge for the inevitable shopping there is an opportunity to take water, if only we could get to the water point.  A helpful boater invites us to moor alongside and offers the use of his hose.  Thank you "Blue Goose".  Then the long lock free cruise to Paddington.  The weather is hot, but scattered clouds and a cooling wind (not caused by the speed of our passage) make it very pleasant.  Sadly though there are no moorings left there and we are forced to turn back to Little Venice and face a long reverse when we leave.  There is no convenient winding point back the way we have come.