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.
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