Finally the Fishers pushed the boat out. Finally we are able to start our summer cruise. And we had to push the boat off its mooring where it was firmly aground. Pushing was not enough and hard astern wiggling the boat from side to side was needed in the end to get the bows off. The drop in levels seems to be caused by the mismatch of water between Denham Deep Lock and the only upper source that we are aware off at Black Jacks Lock which is actually quite shallow. No surprise to us to find the bottom paddles half up and the top fully open. Little traffic to start with and the weather was almost pleasant. At Lot Mead, Gospel Belle was waiting for us but only for one lock, then at Cassio Lock, "Taurean" was just entering as we arrived. We continued with John and Paula sharing pour life histories on the way as you do! Canal boating is supposed to be terribly laid back, "no rush". Unfortunately family matters still impinge. We had to await daughter two's return from holiday to return her Scotty Dog and we have to be in Birmingham by 29th so that Pat can return home and we can host two Australians keen on cricket. Since we can't travel at greater speed, the only way to cover more ground in the time is to travel for onger. This we said goodbye to Tauren at Kings Langley and continued on as far as Winkwell for the night, reaching there at 18:00. Interestingly there were many low pounds for no good reason that I could see. The pound above Fisheries Lock was especially low and the lock landing at Boxmoor Top Lock (62) was inaccessible. We left a bottom paddle up on leaving so that the lock paddle bywashes could work,but I don't suppose the next boat would understand and think that someone was just lazy. Finally here is the first picture in a series of "Waterway Conundrums".
So here's the conundrum. Which arch am I supposed to go through then?
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