Grand Union Canal: Cowley Lock

Having had a short day yesterday, we have to make up for it and to get to Cowley where we should have been. It would take us one 9 hours.   The crew were very happy for this, but from past experience, to find a decent mooring it is best to arrive early afternoon.  So to give us the best chance I got the boat moving at 06:30 with occasional help with the  locks, whist Chloe set about cooking one of her fantastic boat breakfasts, the “Full English”.   This was declared ready at Lady Capel’s Lock and Chloe took the helm whist the feast was devoured.  So then we just carried on, in our lonesome.  Very little other traffic.  At Widewater lock I wanted to reverse into Harefield Marina entrance to use the diesel and pumpout facilities and had planned my manoeuvre in my head.  Imagine seeing the lock gates opening to reveal a large widebeam approaching head on in the belief that the lock was his.  Behind him was another boat evidently wanting the lock, so my beautifully planned reverse into the entrance was ruined.  Additionally the wind has got up which did help, but made the exit problematical requiring a long reverse into the marina proper before getting enough free stern movement to push the bow down canal and against the wind.  Immediately rejoining the canal we passed under the HS2 viaduct which is very impressive and quite a thing of beauty in its own way.  Thereafter, for us, a routine run to Cowley.  The wind was again a trouble fighting to get the bows into a restricted mooring spot.  Again, a long reverse was necessary to drive in under full control.  Arrival time 16:30.  10 hour day!