UK Canals - Journey reports

Grand Union Canal:Paddington Arm

When we left our mooring at Harefield last year, I forgot to retrieve our spare set of keys which the marina had for any emergency.  So Harefield Marina was our first port of call today to see if they still had them and to top up our diesel tank.   Amazingly, the keys were quickly produced.    Then I saw bags of our favourite solid fuel (as of last year) Pureglow, so we had two of those.   Interestingly, the old Horse & Barge pub opposite which we visited a couple of years back and were embarrassed on behalf of our guests, has had a major make over with new owner and is thriving.  It is now called the Bear on Barge.    Other small changes in the canal environment were evident having been away for a while, mooring practices particularly.  There is new building everywhere - large blocks of apartments.  The John Gest factory building between the canal and railway line has gone and a new railway bridge evident.   We stopped at Bulls Bridge for a small amount of shopping and then moved on to one of our favourite moorings just past Willowtree Marina entrance.   A decision has to be made where to moor tomorrow.   We would like to be in Paddington with access to pubs restaurants and shops, but have been disappopinted in the past, the problem being there is nowhere convenient further on (it's full of liveabord boaters) and turning back through the Paddington arm would commit us to winding at Ladbroke Grove, 2 miles further back.    If we can get some intelligence from opposite direction boats then fine, otherwise we stop at Kensal Green and perhaps visit the cemetery.

Grand Union Canal:Harefield

Another easy run with no surprises.   We were pleased to see new gates with top gate paddles at Ironbridge and Cassio Locks.   In the past these only had ground paddles and were notoriously slow to fill.   Badly leaking bottom gates made the problem worse so its good that the bottom gates at Ironbridge have been renewed too.    Many top gates were open ready for us, strange in a way because we saw no other boats moving until Rickmansworth when whilst stopping briefly at Tesco a strange craft passed rather resembling a wooden bedstead with corner posts and pedal powered by the two boaters at the rear.  Would have been worth a photo, but where's the camera when you need it.   A photo would have been good also for the unusual bow fender we spotted, made out of knotted rope but in the form of a female figure head complete with trailing red hair.  There is a big construction site at Coppermill on the lock weir island site.  The lock is just off the frame to the left.   The intimidating high wall under construction bounding the canal does not bode well for a symathetic development.   Looks a bit like a fortress.  Watch this space!   We are moored below the bridge and the Coy Carp "Vintage Inn" and I suppose we are technically now in Harefield Village proper, and the tasteful new houses that bound the canal here.

Grand Union Canal:Grove Bridge

Found ourselvves a bit tipped up this morning.   The only boat, however, so although the canal water level had dropped a bit it was not much and there must have been something under the centre of the boat because push the front out and the back came in, push the back and the front came in.  You know the story.   Anyway, we got off eventually and moved a few yards get water.   Took about 1/2 hour.   Pat did aq bit of shopping in the nearby Sainsbury while that was going on.   After that a straightforward run down to moorings we had used before and which were quite deserted, at Grove Bridge on the estate now used as an up market golf course and hotel.   

Grand Union Canal:Apsley

Sunny morning but the sun so low shining down the canal it was like being caught in headlights.  No forward visibility until it had moved over a bit.   Pat went ahead to set the next lock (53) and was gone rather a long time.  I noticed that the water level was falling quite dramatically to the extent that the boat was listing.  Eventually the gate opened and with difficulty I left the mooring.   It seems that a boater moored above Ravens Lock had fallen out of bed as his boat was listing so badly and found that there was almost no water in the canal.  He had come up to lock 53 to let water down.   As a result the pound below was still very low, but I thought probably enough water to be adequate.   This was a wrong assessment.   I became well and truly aground shortly after.  CRT were called but had already been notified, so nothing to do but wait.  After 1 1/2 hours and still stuck Pat, who fortunately was on the towpath, went up to the top of Gas Locks to let some water down in a controlled fashion.  This did the trick just as the CRT guys appeared. "Never seen it this low".   Not wanting to take any more water out of the pound we waited above Ravens lock for levels to rise further, which they did a bit, so after 1/2 hour we filled the lock and were joined by Nb Honeystreet.   Clearly the bottom gates leak so badly that all it would take is for one top paddle not to be completely lowered for the pound to empty overnight.  After that, slow progress with a lot of opposite direction traffic and a workboat broken free of its moorings right across the canal at Boxmoor Top Lock.  With the help of some towpath visitors and a bit of tugboat type maneuvering that was put to rights.   nb Honeystreet left us at Fisheries and we were pleased to find some mooring at Apsley.   All in all a longer day than planned.

Grand Union Canal:Berkhamsted

Something disturbed Pat last night at about 1 am and she investigated to find that we were floating free off the bank.   Our mooring pins had been pulled out.   Fortunately, the bow pin was possibly acting as a sort of mud weight and I could get off fairly easily.  Again, fortunately, there was no wind and no water movement, so the boat was exactly in the same position relative to the bank and recovering the pins and re-fixing them was a straightforward job.   I took the opportunity to fit the security "chain", which I ought to have done first off anyway.   Other boats were similarly affected and the incident threw new light on the wandering boat that we had come across yesterday.

Berkhamsted Park moorings.

  Berkhamsted is known for its enterprising youth.  The canal locks for example have paddle gear locks fitted.  Today MF took the opportunity of the nearby railway station to nip home to check up on a few things.  Pat went shopping in the nearby Waitrose, grumbling that there is no standardisation in the way supermarkets are laid out.  She writes her shopping list in a logical order which works for her at home.

 

 

 

 

Grand Union Canal:Berkhamsted

Set off through the Tring Cutting with early morning sunshine breaking through the trees reflecting off the boat roof and making forward visibility almost impossible at times.  At Cowroast we came up behind a boat already descending the lock and caught up with them (it turned out there were two) at the next.  A broadbeam was in front of them. One of the two boats was one we had shared Marsworth with yesterday. The other a brand new traditional build looking absolutely beautiful inside the false sheets. As they were in no hurry they let us through first as were were faster.  Below Northchurch the broadbeam gave up, so we speeded up somewhat and were soon in Berkhamsted.   Below Gas Locks there was an unoccupied boat across the cut having had its bow mooring pin pulled out, so we rescued it before mooring ourselves.

Berkhamsted Park mooringgs

Grand Union Canal:Bulbourne

Quite a windy night and raining early, however blue sky beckoned by the time we set off.    A good run through as far as Ivinghoe Locks but here we came up behind our now familiar Gayton Hire boats moored below the lock.  Much curious gesticulations indicated that there was no water as usual.   The good news was that lock keepers were already on the case and the delay was not long for us.   For the hire boaters it was different.  They had hoped to get to Aylesbury, but their delay meant that they needed to turn back at Pitstone.    From Ivinghoe on water levels were low.  We stopped below the main Marswoth flight for lunch and then continued in company with a single hander and aided by a friendly volunteer lock keeper.   A rapid ascent resulted.   We hoped to be able to moor beyond the road bridge at the Bulbourne end of Tring cutting and were attracted by the neat banks and rings, only to realise that this was a disable landing, water point and marked winding hole.   Fortunately there was space beyond on the proper visitor moorings.   We repaired to the Grand Junction Arms and had some expensive (for us £3.50) beer and later a meal.   I cannot speak highly enough of the food which was restaurant quality and later on the pub filled and got very busy, a testament to the quality.   Definitely worth a visit. (No dogs in bar)

Grand Union Canal:Bulbourne

Quite a windy night and raining early, however blue sky beckoned by the time we set off.    A good run through as far as Ivinghoe Locks but here we came up behind our now familiar Gayton Hire boats moored below the lock.  Much curious gesticulations indicated that there was no water as usual.   The good news was that lock keepers were already on the case and the delay was not long for us.   For the hire boaters it was different.  They had hoped to get to Aylesbury, but their delay meant that they needed to turn back at Pitstone.    From Ivinhoe on water levels were low.  We stopped below the main Marswoth flight for lunch and then continued in company with a single hander and aided by a friendly volunteer lock keeper.   A rapid ascent resulted.   We hoped to be able to moor beyond the road bridge at the Bulbourne end of Tring cutting and were attracted by the neat banks and rings, only to realise that this was a disable landing, water point and marked winding hole.   Fortunately there was space beyond on the proper visitor moorings.   We repaired to the Grand Junction Arms and had some expensive (for us £3.50) beer and later a meal.   I cannot speak highly enough of the food which was restaurant quality and later on the pub filled and got very busy, a testament to the quality.   Definitely worth a visit. (No dogs in bar)

Grand Union Canal:Grove Lock

Back on the boat first a bit of dodgy reversing to the water point, then a slow cruise to Fenny Stratford to await our guest for the next few days.   Next a visit to Willowbridge Boats for a pumpout.   Then onwards.   Our aim was the Globe pub, but we made such good time as to make it worth carrying on to Grove Lock where we can get a decent mooring usually, and of course a decent drinking hole.    We were not disappointed.

Railway Interlude

Snowdonia

A 10+ kilometer walk today from the little village of Nantmor, at the entrance of the Aberglaslyn Pass, to Porthmadog.   I was supervising a trainee, Bob.    We split the walk into two, starting early from about half way, walking to Porthmadog, getting breakfast at the station and then catching the train to Nantmor, before walking back to regain our car.

The train from Caernarfon passes at Hafod y Llyn

 

 

The large ex South African Garratt locomotive waits to join its train at Porthmadog

 

Grand Union Canal:Peartree Bridge

Rain showers first thing.  Thought we would try and find local shops.   First attempt failed although I found out later that I must have been within a few hundred yards of a Tesco Express.  Milton Keanes is very confusing for a stranger with lots of green tree lined spaces criss-crossed by pedestrian and cycle paths and residential areas hidden within.  So very easy to get lost on foot.   A second attempt was more successful, but only after walking in an ever decreasing circle before finding the shortcut back.  There was quite a useful row of shops at Netherfield.

In the afternoon MF left for a railway interlude in Wales and learned of the village accessible on the towpath side with church and old pub, the Swan.

Grand Union Canal:Peartree Bridge

A misty morning, but it soon brightened up.   Not much change since we came this way last, just more moored boats in new places.   Lots of hire boats out though.  We stopped at Giffard Park for rubbish disposal.  The facility was boarded up, but if you go down the path through the bushes immediately to the left, there is a large waste bin below.  The weather deteriorated after the bright spell and got quite cold.  So on arrival at Peartree Bridge we lit the fire.   There are not enough mooring rings here, so had to place a mooring pin for the bow rope.   This soon got dragged out by a speeding Wyvern Shipping Boat. Security lock now in place. The Milton Keynes Marina, opposite our mooring advertises laundry facilities, and our inquiry confirmed this and that we were welcome to use it.   The washing machine and separate tumble dryer are operated by £1 coins, £1=1hour.   The chart on the wall indicated that the cycle I needed would take over 1 hour, but the machine did it in 24 minutes!  Looks like they've installed a new machine.    Then during all this the sun came out and now the  boat is too hot.

Grand Union Canal:Wolverton

The plan was, today, to make a quick dash home to deal with a few mundane things.  Not so!  Last night whilst preparing it was discovered that our troubled toilet had stopped working.  Now I am getting quite good at this, so without further ado it was dismantled (without making a mess this time) and the diagnosis confirmed.   It was jammed up with limescale.   So the morning was spent fitting our new toilet and now we have a new swanky one even with a soft closing lid.    For details of the fitting see maintenance section.

Grand Union Canal:Wolverton

We thought we would have a quiet morning waiting for the new toilet to be delivered, but at 8:45 we had a phone call and as the yard opened at 9:00 we picked it up, together with a tank top up of diesel.  We express ed our gratitude to Baxter Boatfitting Services (John) for their help in organising the delivery and to Lee Sanitation for the speedy service.    The old toilet is still working, but there probably is a very samll leak remaining, though no more than dampening some paper towels over half a day.   The new toilet looks relatively easy to fit, only the discharge connection perhaps a little tricky although some adapters are provided.   It can wait until we can guarantee access to a plumbers merchant, in case of the unexpected.   We proceeded on stopping at Cosgrove for water.  A rather slow fill.   Then on to Wolverton where we will spend two nights allowing a quick visit home to deal with a couple of things.  The picture shows our mooring in the shadow of the large block of flats built around the shell of the old railway works opposite where my grandfather used to work.  There is still a small remnant of the carriage works in operation here, but rather hidden away.

Grand Union Canal:Yardey Gobion

Just a short prospect in hand today setting up for arrival in Wolverton on Friday.  

Top lock of the 7 lock Stoke Bruerne flight

There is, however, a water saving effort in force on the canal at the present and as the lock ahead was empty we wanted to wait for either a boat to come up, or another boat to share on the 7 lock flight.    However we had a problem which got bigger as the morning wore on.  Three small events were the clue.  1. The clothes peg popping off the toilet roll holder and yours truly not locating it straight away. 2. An unusual whirring sound when operating the toilet.  3. Pat finding half a clothes peg on the floor.   This led to the inevitable conclusion that the other half had been sucked into the macerator and needed to be got out.   This can only be done by dismantling the toilet.   What happened subsequently I won't bore you with but a full description  will be in the maintenance section when I get round to it.   Needless to say it will cost a lot of money and there are lessons to be learned. 

Grand Union Canal:Stoke Bruerne

We left our mooring in grey damp mist.  Soon we were enjoying some sunshine.    Not far to go today.  The weather forecast was for wind and heavy rain, so a short ride to Stoke Bruerne via Blisworth Tunnel seemed sensible.   There was no trouble finding a mooring near to the Canal Museum.

The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne

  In the long tunnel it was apparent that the tunnel light is not set up correctly, the main beam being slightly up and to the left which must blind opposite direction boats.  We passed two and so I turned the light off at the appropriate moment and navigated using the tight beam LED torch.    This worked quite well, but without a light, keeping a straight course is impossible.   One more job for the future.   We ate in "The Boat Inn" this night.

Grand Union Canal:Anchor Farm (Bridge 43a)

A murky overcast morning, the wind having died down overnight.  We set off to dawdle up to the bottom of Braunston Locks past myriads of moored boats.   No sign of any other boats moving to accompany us, so we set off alone and passed just one pair coming down.   The tunnel was empty right until the end when the first of three opposite directions decided to enter the tunnel when I had only about 50 yards to go.  This was a bit of a mistake I think on his part.  It takes a while to adjust to the darkness and the line of the tunnel and we got a bit of a glancing blow on the bows from him.   If I see a boat near the end I like to wait.   At Buckby Top a boat was waiting in the lock for us as there is a water conservation request and pairing is expected where possible.   We had a slow passage due largely to opposite direction traffic turning locks around ahead of us.   This makes no difference to the water used overall but it does mean that the balance in the individual pounds gets out of kilter and so not surprising that the last two pounds were very low.   Pressing on we encountered the first of the promised showers as well as glimpses of the sun.   We have pressed on today to get a bit ahead of our plans because tomorrow the weather is forecast to be pretty horrible, wind and heavy rain.  So at 4 pm we stopped.

Grand Union Canal:Bridge 100

We start our journey south in murky overcast and fine drizzle.   We had agreed with nb Augustus that we would leave together to share the locks.   At 7:35 we were about to leave, Pat having gone ahead to set the first couple of locks, when an Anglo Welsh passed.  

Stockton Locks. The first of eight.

As Pat was up the flight and not standing guard they went in to the now open lock and didn't seem to be in any sort of hurry.  As nb Earnest came up behind the interlopers were already behind closed gates so it was suggested that nb Earnest join them in the lock ahead, which they agreed, so that with plenty of helpers, a speedy ascent followed.   nb Augustus peeled off at the top of Calcutt and we carried on turning left at Wigram's Turn to our well frequented mooring just past Bridge 100.     The weather forecast does not look friendly for later today, so we stay here.    There was no wind when we set the wind generator up, but soon all that changed and it was soon humming away, almost keeping pace with the fridge freezer.   At bedtime the wind was still raging and we had to shut the generator down to actually get some sleep.

Grand Union Canal:Blue Lias

Boats are starting to arrive for the CUTWEB Rally this weekend.

Grand Union Canal:Blue Lias

Boats are starting to arrive for the CUTWEB Rally this weekend.

Grand Union Canal:Blue Lias

Boats are starting to arrive for the CUTWEB Rally this weekend.

Grand Union Canal:Blue Lias

In view of the delay yesterday we set off early.   Half an hour saw us at Braunston Turn and we had a good run to the top of Calcutt where the lock was waiting with a gate open.   We locked down very quickly and were approached by crew of another boat asking if we would wait to share the remaining two which we did with little delay.   A very switched on boat with a good team that we looked forward to sharing Stockton Locks with.  We suggested they should go first as the skipper proposed to use his bicycle to speed up lock transits.   However, at  Stockton Top another boat got between us and went ahead, so we were left behind to join a following boat.   It turned out that the inserted boat was one of the Cutwebbers destined for the Blue Lias also.   Down in less than an hour we took water at the bottom and then moved across to moor up on the bank as we wanted.

Moored at Blue Lias

  So we are the third here.   In the afternoon we were joined by fellow Cutwebber, one of my colleagues from work, who we passed yesterday, opposite direction.   A chilly morning start but turned out a lovely day.

Oxford Canal:Braunston

Here we are on the first day of our Autumn Cruise moored up on a nice bit of piling somewhere near Braunston, not quite sure where.  The day started very early in SE London arriving at the marina about 7:30.   It took ages to shuffle back and forth to unload the car and when completed a trip by car to get the shopping in for the next week.   The plan is to get to the Blue Lias pub near the bottom of Stockton Locks to join the CUTWEB annual rally on Friday.  However a few jobs needed doing first, like getting the rainwater out of the engine compartment where it leaks through from the high flows in stormy weather and polishing the accessible side of the boat.   Once all this was done we set off wanting to make Braunston our first stop.   No trouble as far as Hillmorton, but in the bottom lock we were informed by the lock-keeper that there was only one top lock in use and that we could expect a delay.   It had been a busy morning it seems.    Sure enough, there was a queue of about 5 boats ahead once we got past the first two.   Not really a problem and no worse than Glascote on a normal day except that everyone on the locks seemed so laid back and no sense of urgency.   Its not about rushing, or even being in a hurry, but in our view a point about working the locks efficiently, paying attention and not just gossiping with a boat sitting in a ready lock, just because no one is leaning on the gate.   So after that, we carried on, but the delay meant that by 5 pm we were looking for a devcent mooring and here we are.    Tomorrow we aim to get within striking distance of our destination, to arrive in the morning