Back to Harefield

We woke to the sound of heavy rain at our usual time and it took ages for the dawn, the sky overcast with dark grey.   We needed to be home today so nothing for it but to get kitted up and go for it.   First the boat needed to be winded.  There is allegedly a winding hole above the lock but it is not marked and there are several looking possibilities.  However, the one I selected must have been badly silted because it took ages and a 10 point turn to do it.   Fishermen waiting on the bank in the rain obviously enjoyed the exercise and suggested a better alternative using the weir stream.   Note duly taken!   In spite of the rain and rejecting one totally sodden and useless hat after the second lock, we teamed up with another boat at Common Moor Lock and got back to Harefield in 4 hrs 30 mins.  Nothing else moving.  Not bad going really and most locks were against us.    Rain had more or less stopped by Stockers.  Plenty of water about!