Apsley
Our usual early start from home to miss the London commuter traffic. Actually, all we need to miss is the first part of the journey. Once past Shepherds Bush we will be leaving London and can only marvel at the stoicism of motorists queueing on the A40 going the other way. There was lots of kit to transfer to the boat so it was 7:30 before we left the marina. Unusually we met quite a few boats on the move before Rickmansworth and the very conveniently placed Tesco Supermarket on the quayside. Shopping took us an hour. Moving on, a boat appeared out of nowhere behind us at Cassio Lock. They were new boaters of only half an hour having just emerged from the marina with the boat just purchased. They joined us in the lock, but then discovered that they had no windlass and were going the wrong way. They wanted London! Further on we got sandwiched between two broadbeam charity boats slowing us down as far as Nash Mills. The bottom lock there leaks so badly now that it took three boaters to open the top gates - luckily two were waiting to come down. There were no vacant moorings in Apsley, so we went up to the top lock. Today we have Alfie with us, our daughter's Westie. He has been with us before, for short trips, so he's not entirely unfamiliar with the boat. He seems to be a quick learner. No problem. Pat cooked Gemma's balti recipe. Quick and very tasty.
Our usual early start from home to miss the London commuter traffic. Actually, all we need to miss is the first part of the journey. Once past Shepherds Bush we will be leaving London and can only marvel at the stoicism of motorists queueing on the A40 going the other way. There was lots of kit to transfer to the boat so it was 7:30 before we left the marina. Unusually we met quite a few boats on the move before Rickmansworth and the very conveniently placed Tesco Supermarket on the quayside. Shopping took us an hour. Moving on, a boat appeared out of nowhere behind us at Cassio Lock. They were new boaters of only half an hour having just emerged from the marina with the boat just purchased. They joined us in the lock, but then discovered that they had no windlass and were going the wrong way. They wanted London! Further on we got sandwiched between two broadbeam charity boats slowing us down as far as Nash Mills. The bottom lock there leaks so badly now that it took three boaters to open the top gates - luckily two were waiting to come down. There were no vacant moorings in Apsley, so we went up to the top lock. Today we have Alfie with us, our daughter's Westie. He has been with us before, for short trips, so he's not entirely unfamiliar with the boat. He seems to be a quick learner. No problem. Pat cooked Gemma's balti recipe. Quick and very tasty.
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