UK Canals - Journey reports

Grand Union Canal:Fenny Stratford

Left at 8:00 and had an easy run to Fenny.   Three Locks had volunteers on duty so a fairly effortless transit.  Proceeding on Stoke Hammond had just delivered a boat ahead of me, but otherwise quiet.   The lockside looks lovely with cut grass and daisies.  There’s even some flowers to brighten things up.  There is a board displayed stating that the lock is sponsored by the Epic Boating Company.   Whoever is responsible it certainly sets a standard and brightened my day, so thank you.   I am moored in the last practical spot before the small marina entrance and the Watling Street Bridge.   After lunch I walked up to Bletchley Park.  My goodness there have been massive changes since I was there last, maybe 10 years ago.  It was a sunny hot day and the grounds of the old mansion have remained very attractive.   The entrance suggests that crowd control is used and certainly the site was very busy.  Photos of Stoke Hammond Lockside and Bletchley Park. 

Grand Union Canal:Marsworth

I have Dan with me today and tomorrow.  He joined the boat yesterday afternoon.   He first came on the boat approximately 22 years ago with his wife and children when Pat and I took them from Limehouse to Paddington.  The children are all grown up now and Dan retired recently.  He settled in to the locking routine very quickly, so we made excellent progress arriving at Bulbourne prcisely at pub opening time.  I visited the Grand Junction Arms several years ago when it was a traditional old, rather run down place.   It has since had a makeover and has developed its garden with multiple tables and a really attractive covered garden bar with decent dining options covered by welcoming staff.  It was crowded.  Dan and I enjoyed a couple of pints and a simple lunch.  Perfect.  Then we re-joined the boat and tackled the 7 descending Marsworth locks.   There were no welcoming volunteer lock-keepers, the grass is uncut and the whole flight just looked rather neglected.  However, Dan had the routine off from the word go and in 2 hours from the pub we had reached the bottom.   Dan is a star and deserves congratulation.  It has been very hot with very little breeze and full sun, so a nap is called for.  I expect we will retire to the Red Lion later for something to eat (and maybe a drink even).

Grand Union Canal:Berkhamsted

A much shorter day today and no rush to arrive too soon.   I would hope that one or two moored boats would have decided to leave and there would be mooring space near to the pubs.  A wide beam went up the adjacent lock about half an hour before I did.  I never caught him up, but certainly felt the effects further on.  The Winkwell Top Lock was full of bubbles as usual due to the processed water issuing from the sewage plant further up stream.  Two cyclists had been camping there on the offside overnight.  Sewer Lock, aptly named was next and both top gates open, not due I suspect use to the laziness of the previous boater because I found a tendency for the gates to do that.  At the next lock (leave lock empty with a bottom paddle up) the flow of water over the gate weir was so strong that even with both bottom paddles up I could not move the gate.  It needed help from a passing runner (as before).  The reason was evident at the next lock which was again a “leave empty”, so it was that discharge of water affecting the lock below. Arriving slowly in Berkhamsted I was initially disappointed, that I could see no mooring spaces, but moving along there did seem to be almost a vacant spot if the boat behind would move a meter of so, so I tried backing in as I had previously, when the skipper decided to up pins to go for water anyway and would be returning.   No problem.  His partner sat reading on the towpath to ensure that his space would be ready on his return.

Grand Union Canal:Winkwell Top Lock

It was one of those days when everything seems against you and it took way longer than expected.  I think on reflection this is a solo boater problem with wide locks.  There’s nothing inherently difficult about wide locks but subtle differences not having any crew.  Firstly I have to moor up to set the locks, whereas I was used to having Pat going ahead and with one each side, there is no constant going a frying across the locks as I must when solo.   Other irritations like boats moored right up to the limit at lock landings, especially wide beams which make the approach just that little more difficult.  Fishery Lock is notable because of the strong water ingress at the head of the lock from the lock by wash makes it nigh near impossible to open the bottom gates without assistance (readily available from all the fitness devotees who frequent towpaths).  Oh! And there was a fisherman on what little was left of the lock landing. (He was quite cheerful and accepted the disturbance.). Then there was the sudden propulsion failure right at the outset.  I managed to creep to the edge and get a pin in to investigate.  A fleece and rope on the prop.  All part of a day’s work!  There was one space on the moorings by the pub where I have booked for supper.  I tested it, but it was about 18 inches too short, so had to go up the next lock and find somewhere else.   So it was a 7 hour plus day and I’m looking forward to something nice this evening.

Grand Union Canal:Hunton Bridge

I decided this morning to get a precautionary pump-out and diesel top up.  Having guests next week I don’t need to be distracted by sanitary issues and it’s always nice to know that there’s enough fuel.   Accordingly I tried to arrange my arrival at Bridgewater Boats for 9:30 am hoping that the office would be open by then.   It was and the whole process was accomplished in 15 minutes.  There are lots of marinas along the way where these services can be had, but mostly it involves tricky manoeuvring into obscure depths of the marina and is a lot of hassle.   I remember motoring around one large marina further north for what seemed ages and never found the services I required.  What a waste of time.  So that’s why I like Bridgewater Boats where I can just pull in canal side to a decent wharf and get quickly dealt with.    On the way I transited Common Moor Lock.   I reckon that the towpath side ground paddle rack has become detached from the paddle because it was uncharacteristically easy to lift and there was no subsequent disturbance in the water.  The same but worse probably at Ironbridge Lock where both ground paddles were exhibiting the same behaviour.  In consequence it took ages to fill the lock just using gate paddles which tend to get partially blocked over time with plastic bags on the baffles.

It’s always a special  moment for me passing Lady Capel’s Lock where I used to watch the coal boats passing as a boy in the 1950s, almost always as motor and butty and the skill of those boatmen. Then there was no vegetation bordering the canal as now.  There was a clear view of the mansion on the hill (and my father’s allotment - a left over from the war when railway offices took over the site).

The weather is warming up now and it has been a lovely day.  There’s quite a lot of water on the rivers still, testament to all the rain we have had.   Looks like there will be a little rain here overnight, then more sunshine hopefully.

Grand Union Canal:Lot Mead Lock

Whilst getting ready for bed last night I inadvertently stepped on a wasp which had been crawling around on the bathroom mat.  I got stung.  No big deal eh!  Well once in bed I couldn’t settle Itching all over, then by lips started to swell up and finally my larynx felt uncomfortable and I felt as if I was losing m voice.  However, no broncospasm or difficulty breathing.  Pulse 82 and O2 sat 98%.   Where was it going to end?   I am moored far away from any road access, although I suppose a motorbike could get to me if it got worse.  But supposing I couldn’t talk.  All I had in the medicine cupboard was a box of 10 year old chlorfeniramine tablets.  I took two.   Anyway obviously I survived.  I finally got settles about 2 hours later.   Lip not obviously swollen this morning, but not fully normal because I couldn’t manage a glass of water without dribbling.  (What’s new I hear you say).  Also my voice has gone down an octave.   So I thought a 25 minute walk to find a pharmacy would be a good idea.  Rickmansworth has a neat high street full of small old style shops and very busy.  The pharmacist recommended acrivastine.  When I got back to the boat and read the insert warning sheet it says “This medicine is not recommended for adults aged over 65 years old.”  Since my guiding principle has always been not to take medicine unless there is a real need, and as I was feeling fine, I didn’t take any.

What else today?  I tried a new method of polishing the boat on the left hand side using the Aquawax.  I’ll have to wait until it rains again to know if it works.  This morning is on a river section of the canal and the water and weirs are running well.

Grand Union Canal:Lot Mead Lock

Yesterday was a rest day, so little to report.  Of note I did wash and polish the roof.   Cannot remember whe that last happened, but the sides need doing.  They still bear wet rope marks from the wet days and the windows also need attention.  

Today an earlyish start.  It took 20 minutes to get up Cowley Lock, starting with emptying it.  Then onto the water point and a trip to the rubbish bins on the other side of the road.  Falling the water tank took 40 minutes.  I guess a slow flow, so I mopped the Stbd side down while waiting.   Then I got going past the lines of moored boats.  The Grand Union is wider than the Oxford Canal and deeper being a “mainline” with wide locks.  The deeper water makes it possible to travel at a faster speed without causing any real disturbance to moored boats.  Furthermore much of the canal at the southern end is really river navigation with a strong current at the moment due to all the recent rain.  The water is also crystal clear in places so it is possible to see what has been thrown in.  I’ve seen nothing of note.   Reconnoitring Widewater Lock, there was a boat in there and the solo skipper couldn’t open the top gates.  A quick scan showed that he had not opened the ground paddles.  He confessed he didn’t know what they were for and that he was on his first boat trip from Hayes.  A little strange I thought because he had somehow managed Uxbridge and Denham Deep, the latter not being for the faint hearted.    The HS2 viaduct is largely hidden from view at canal level by all the vegetation.  On the London side the huge gantry used to lift the pre-cast concrete components in place can be seen.   I don’t think there is much further to go in that direction, then the railway will go into tunnel.   Back to the boat, help at Batchworth Lock was appreciated and I found uncontested mooring near to the disused Rickmansworth/Watford Junction railway bridge where I moored last year.  Another rest day tomorrow and a walk to Tesco no doubt.

For he more discerning reader I am now a day ahead of plan, having leapfrogged Harefield.  I have plans for this day later, but I will be back on schedule by Berkhamsted. 

 

 

Grand union canal:Cowley

I’m in the pub garden at Cowley, lockside.  Cloudless sky first thing when I set off at 7:00. Then scattered closes for the rest and getting warmer thank goodness.  The 10 locks I had to do today are all quite deep, especially the 6 Hanwell flight, but my system of securing the boat, starting the fill on just one gate paddle then walking up to set the next before returning to exit the boat seems to work quite well for me in a lock flight and makes use of the ‘wasted’ time waiting for the lock to fill.  No good for the last few of course as they are some distance apart. At the top lock, whilst attempting to moor at the lock landing around the back of a wide beam moored there overnight, the bows ran onto an underwater obstruction and I got stuck. Just could not move the boat at all.  I went up to the top, with the intention of emptying the lock which would raise the level below enough to solve the problem, which it did.  Chatting with the voluntary lock keepers above ( who funnily enough were having a competency check) I learned that the obstruction was thought to be a bag of vehicle number plates, possibly waste of some criminal enterprise.  It’s strange how it is thought that by dropping something into a canal, perpetrators believe the objects just disappear.   moor is a popular spot.  The pub and the adjacent recreational park make mooring spaces at a premium so I am right at the back of the line.  Much closer to the action here though than at Windsor.

Grand Union Canal:Brentford

I left my mooring about 45 minutes before high tide and dawdled to the lock waiting pontoon.  By 09:28 I was in the lock and shortly after out, facing two narrowboats waiting to come in (who looked as if they had a surprise to find one in the lock).   Very shortly after, when established on my way on the tide way, I encountered another clutch of canal boats on their way up to Teddington.  There were random rowers, and canoeists about but nothing to bother with until the last leg to Brentford when a rowing pair, having overtaken me on my right decided to cut across my path causing me to engage revers and turn substantially to port.  They had the right of way, so nothing to complain about, but just a bit daft and irritating.  Soon I was at the entrance to Brent Creek and turned up.   It is a little difficult to spot and to be sure of turning at the right point.   There is only one small direction notice, half obscured by vegetation, and on the nose of the left bank, perfectly situated for a boat coming upstream, but not the other way.   The creek was filled with a jumble of moored boats on the right hand side (going upstream) and a massive floating crane obscuring the right side of the dual Thames Lock.  I found it difficult to know whether the lock gates were open or not from a distance so went very slowly, but then they opened.   A nice welcome and the two lockies and I had a laugh when they recalled the surge of boats that they dealt with earlier in the morning.   Being on my own, one offered to walk up to the gauging lock and work it for me to save me having to get off.   Very kind and much appreciated.   There appeared to be no obvious spaces to moor.  I passed one that looked just a little to short and passed by, but then had second thoughts and reversed back to try a stern in landing.  The boat just fitted exactly. After lunch went out for a recce and located the Pub called “The Weir”, reckoning it might be good for lunch tomorrow.  It certainly looks a likely spot, but fully booked tomorrow.  So had to be content with a pint of Guinness.  There’s an attractive garden at the rear overlooking the river Brent.   Leaving after, I discovered a Morrisons on Brentford High St where I managed at last to find two missing items from my shopping list.   It’s Father’s Day tomorrow, so I changed my plan and decided to eat out tonight.  Exploring further I found an Italian restaurant “Siracusa” which is nearer and also overlooks the river, easily accessible over the lock and across  the   first  footbridge  over  the  river.  Another  little  thing  I learned  was  that  the  lock is side fill, so if a single boat going up, only open the opposite side ground paddle.  The boat will stick to the sidewall with no real need for loads of ropes.

River Thames:Teddington

I was ready this morning at 7:30, so just decided to go as it was expected to be a long day.  I had some help from a river workman with the gates at the massive Bell Weir Lock, although it takes ages to fill which I had to do.  I carried on through Staines.  The decent moorings had free spaces including the Swan pub, (photo) and the less than decent Bankside moorings were totally free.   The little play park moorings in the side stream above Staines Bridge were also free, so had I carried on yesterday there would have been no problem. I got to Pentonville Hook at about 8:45 and as expected the lock was on self service.  I investigated and all seemed quiet, bottom gates closed, paddles down. (Or were they?).  The control pedestal for out of hours “public” use is not standard, in that it has fewer features.  Just open/closegates open/close sluices.  I pressed open sluices and they started to open but you have to keep you finger pressed.  Then it times out at stage one and the button doesn’t work until time has elapsed when you have to press again etc.  The lock had started to fill, but was taking ages.  It didn’t look right.  What do you do when that happens?  Ans: check the bottom sluices.  Sure enough, there was now a guy at the bottom console.  So I walked down and discovered the other oddity about Penton Hook.  Out of hours there is no interlock between the two ends as there is with all the other locks which would prevent such an occurrence.   He was trying to empty the lock as I was trying to fill it.  My boat was hidden from view at the other end, and because the lock was taking so long, I had disappeared for a pee.  So he was quite right.  He hadn’t seen anyone.  It was all sorted out very amicably and I now had someone to work the lock for me.   All the other locks were very quick.

On arrival at Teddington I found out that the footbridge will be closed tomorrow evening for the weekend  I need some shopping so no problem for me, but lucky.  I went and paid my dues with the lock-keeper.  £30 mooring fee for the two nights.

River Thames:Runnymede

On the plan I should have stopped at Staines tonight, just one lock further on.  However, the moorings at Runnymede are pleasant and easy.  Pat and I often stopped here, so learning from past mistakes “A mooring in hand is worth more than 2 in the bushes” to paraphrase a common expression, I stopped here rather than go on and chance finding something in Staines which from past experience is not easy.   It does mean a short day today meaning longer tomorrow.  The journey from Windsor was straightforward, both locks having keepers although there was a bit of waiting I guess while they got their ducks inn a row first thing in the morning.  At Old Windsor Lock I was joined by a fuel narrowboat, fully loaded with diesel by the look of the waterline, and it shot off first at great speed never to be seen again.  As at Windsor, I turned the boat to face into the stream to moor.  It makes it a bit easier.  LookingatthephotoIamremindedtobringabatteryoperatedstrimmerwithmenexttime.

River Thames:Windsor

A rest day.  Got out of bed 10 minutes later than usual.  Had a Tuesday breakfast and carried out a number of small maintenance tasks.   Booked passage at Thames Lock for Saturday.  Thames lock is in Brent Creek and gives access to the canal system at Brentford,   Because it is tidal it is inaccessible at low tide and there is no point in having staff there all the time, so booking is necessary.  Because it is tidal there are times, high tide particularly when the lock has to be wide open so clearly not your usual canal lock.  It need skilled operation.   It’s worth pointing out that at spring tides, there may not be enough room under Brentford Bridge and there’s nowhere to hang about there.  No problem for me on Saturday.

Tomorrow I’m aiming for Runnymede.  If that mooring is full, I still have the option of Staines as planned.  No rush tomorrow.   The first lock in Romney Lock and it is massive.   I would rather have it operated by a lock-keeper.

 

River Thames:Windsor

No rush today.  I did most of today’s cruise yesterday.  Just one lock with a very cheery lock-keeper and I was in Windsor.  Plenty of moorings, but that was before I investigated properly.  I chose the obvious one on the river off Baths Island which is fine, but I would had been better served by being a bit more selective because there are nice bookings on the land side of the island that have electricity.  The other issue is that to get off the island to reach Windsor, I have to first walk back almost the to the end of the island to find the bridge to the mainland.  No problem really.  I needed milk.  I recall the oft stated phrase “I’m going to need to stop somewhere to get some milk”.  So I googled and found a Waitrose that looked near, set up the directions and followed the directing voice in my head (courtesy of the hearing aid link).   That stated out well, but then the directions began to get obscure and difficulty to follow and I ended up totally lost, walking round in circles almost.  I reckon that the huge number of tourists in Windsor, all with their phones, have overwhelmed the local signal to such an extent that is is difficult to get a connection.  I would have been much better off just following the dotted line on the map.  I never found Waitrose, but did come across a Tesco Local, so job done.  In anticipation I have located the Wetherspoons.  Relatively near and very straightforward.  In The photo, taken while I was walking back to the mooring, you can just make out the back of the boat almost in the centre of the picture.  The second photo is of the opposite side of the island where the electric hook ups are located.

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River Thames:Dorney

I set off this morning at 08:00 expecting there to be lots of rowers about. There were. The Regatta course has been marked out and if my understanding of the restrictions on the EA website was true I am expected to keep to the Remenem side bank.   It just didn’t feel right sneaking up the Regatta Course.  I reached Hambledon Lock just as the lock keeper came on duty, and passed Hurley and Temple.   Marlow next.  Today was going to be a long day because if I could have moored at Marlow it would have broken the journey to Windsor nicely into similarly timed segments, but I had never found that easy.   In fact it would have been if my eyes had been open, but I passed on.  Next would be Maidenhead where I have found moorings frequently, though not always.  This time it was to be NOT.  The next moorings I am familiar with are shortly before Bovere Lock, about an hour further on.   Then I saw a good mooring, behind another narrowboat, just before the sharp left corner at Dorsey and went for it.   It would have been good but for a tree and Hawthorne bush right in the middle, but eventually I found a way of sorting it out.  You see the problem was 1. Current 2. Wind 3. The bush and tree which meant that I could just get off the boat with a centre rope and walk the bank.  It all had to b done from the boat, stern and bow running up and down before either end got blown  or swept away.  Today then, just under 7 hours total, and probably only 1 hour tomorrow if I can find a mooring.

River Thames:Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames

Got all ready to go this morning, to be at the fuel pontoon at 9:00, office opening time.  This was an ideal opportunity to do a pump out and top up with diesel since I was within a stones throw of the pontoon.  It was a lovely quick pumpout machine.  One big gulp and it was all gone very quickly.  The final bill including the mooring, pumpout and diesel at £85.00 was £220.  I then set off to join the river again and continue the journey to Henley.   At Sonning Lock I joined another narrowboat.  They had stopped there to but a visitors’ licence having just come off the K&A.   I asked how far they had been and how was it?  “Awfull” came the reply.   The lock-keeper wanted me to put a stern line on, which is fine.  The centre rope is long enough to be able to handle both and it does guarantee that the stern wont blow out, especially with another boat in the lock.   So I will continue that practice.   Marsh Lock was on self service, and one boat on approach coming up, so we acted as lock-keepers for them.   I had my eye on a mooring at Mill Meadows.   Pat and I had stopped there before.   There were quite a few places and there are rings too, no no problem.   It was about 15 minutes walk into town from there.   Looks very touristy as you would expect.  The Regatta is next month and preparations will already be underway.

River Thames:Thames & Kennet Marina

Got back to the boat around 15:00 after a couple of days at home.  Came from Chatham via the Elizabeth line.  Just one platform change at Abbey Wood.  Very easy, but all in all very slow.  Returning to the boat it is always so reassuring to know that the electricity is still on and the fridge OK, remembering one year when the leakage current breaker must have gone without me noticing before leaving the boat.  The smell on returning was awful, and of course everything had to be chucked and the fridge given a good clean out to get rid of the smell.   All well this time to my relief.   The plan is to leave for Henley tomorrow morning, hopefully after a pumpout.  Tonight just a sweep though and tidy to get ready for the next chapter.  Still no takers for crew for the rest of the Thames including London, so I will take the shortcut at Brentford and then have a couple of lazy days to get back on schedule.    Incidentally this is a massive marina and very tightly packed.   I am lucky because my berth is just an almost direct reverse from the arrival pontoon, so no manoeuvring really.  The pontoon is very short, so to keep the boat aligned, use has to be made of the dolphin out near the bow and not easy to reach from the well deck.  However, using the fender fixing point and some other bits of rigging, a satisfactory result was obtained.  How difficult it would be in a strong wind!  Fortunately it was very still when I arrived thank goodness.  Makes me appreciate how lucky I am at Barby (and indeed was at Brinklow).

River Thames:Thames & Kennet Marina

Yes I made it!  Whitchurch Lock was closed.  Apparently one gate was jammed and would not open.  The internet report advising such mentioned divers were brewing brought in this morning to find out why.  Two up coming boats confirmed this. They had been allowed through by the lock-keeper using the opposite gate.  In conversation with another Narrowboat also waiting, we could have just turned up and hoped, but at Goring we are in a good situation and Whitchurch has very short lock-landings right on the edge of the weir.  Not a good place to be if hanging around.  I advised the marina at Reading of the situation, the shortly after, at 1 pm, we learned that the lock was fully working again.  It took an hour to get there and down, about 30 minutes to Mapledurham also with lock-keeper so very quick and by 4:15 I was reversing into my allotted berth.  There will now be a short intermission. Next report on Thursday.

River Thames:Goring

It turned out to be a lovely day with full sunshine, a little chilly first thing but oven like in the boat by the afternoon.  The first time I have opened the side hatch this trip.   Also, by a dint of luck with locks made very good progress aided also by the current in the river.     As I turned up to Culham Lock a narrowboat was just about to enter, so I joined and as this boat had crew they kindly allowed me to go first leaving the skipper to pick up his crew.   At the second lock, the same.  I left first, but as this boat, nb Pearl was faster by the time we reached Days Lock they were ahead.  Days Lock had a lock keeper thus Pearl went ahead when the gates opened and I never saw her again once she had disappeared in the distance ahead.   Benson Lock had a lock-keeper, so didn’t take long to wait which was useful to me to grab a biscuit and visit the loo.  Cleeve Lock was self service but fast and Goring had a lock-keeper, so by 13:15 I was moored up.  There was just once space long enough bounded by a dinghy with outboard and a ‘plastic’ mid-size cruiser.   The skipper of the cruiser must have been doubtful of my skill in doing a ferry glide in the current to slide into the space because he upped stix and left suddenly.    Later, towards the end of shift, the lock-keeer came up and said that there is a problem with Whitchurch Lock gates and there might be a hold up.   I hope not because I have booked the marina, but I have some contingency reserve built in so hopefully it will get sorted in time.

 

Moored at Goring

River Thames:Abingdon

Arrived here at around mid-day, but needed to be sure that I have enough water and used the smart water tap above the lock:  Needed to go into town for minimal shopping and now it’s gone 3 pm.  However, I have just put a fruit cake in the oven.   Starting off this morning early (7:45) my first obstacle was Isis Lock which gains access to the river via a side channel, past an old redundant railway swing bridge which is being lovingly restored even though it can never be used.  The tracks have been built on.  Then on to Osney Lock which of course at this time of the morning was on “Self Service”.   The Lay-by to moor the boat whilst waiting for the lock is unfortunately on the opposite side to the control pedestals, so once filled, and gates open it means a walk around.  Similarly on exiting, however, for me this time a rowing ‘8’ pitched up and went in so their banksman did it for them.   The next lock similarly, except that for many locks, they are used by the publi for crossing the river.  So when their “bridge” is opened they have to wait for me to exit the lock and moor up below.  One lady waiting obviously knew the trick and pressed the close gates button unasked for a quick get-away and saving me a long walk.    Sanford Lock is large and deep.   This too was on self service.   The lock management in these circumstances is largely automated once the right buttons have been pressed but a lot of care has been taken to ensure safety in operation.  Consequently with this large lock is is very very slow.   Below Sandford Lock is is then a straight run to Abingdon and having taken the water I had the luxury of finding a lock-keeper on duty.   Below the lock a channel is marked because of large silt banks just under the surface, no doubt as a result of this winter’s floods.  I managed to find a mooring where the family has been before next to a large grassed park which includes a very exiting looking children’s play area which has been much improved since last here.   It’s a quick walk into town and there is now a large Waitrose Supermarket nearby.  It took me a while to find it, by which time, when shopping was complete, I was totally lost.   There has been a lot of residential development around in the areas with footpaths.   Google saved the day.