UK Canals - Journey reports

Stoke Bruerne

Last night, at Gt Linford, ther must have een some sort of festival/rave up in the park opposit, for there was a lot of loud music.   Some of it emanated it seems from a narrowboat on the park mooring, but there certainly were crowds.  The sounds of cavorting and merriment went on until past 2 o'clock in the morning.  We were glad to be moored up on the other side of the canal.  To our surprise, this morning, we found that it had rained overnight butg the skay was blue and the wind warm promising another sunny day.  We took 1 hour to get to Wolverton and Pat went shopping there in the massive Tesco store.   The truth is that yesterday, cruising in the sunshine, we had salivating moments dreaming about a fantasy of us enjoying capanes and Pimms on the back deck.  To Pat this was a sort of "dare".   So it was that having passed Yardley Gobion, out came a plate of stuffed olives, with canapes of pate & gerkin, cream cheese and tomato with miniature pork pies and cheese straws together wioth, yes, Pimms.   Amazing!   The Stoke Bruerne flight was busy with some new hirers from Blisworth coming the other way.  One boat coming down ahead of us tied up in the lock and nearly got hung up.   Very slow progress!   At Stoke Bruerne top lock we entertained the gongoozlers.  The skipper of Bullrush we had shared the fkight with remarked that he was more famous in Japan then here at home.   Fortunately we found a mooring and cold beer was very welcome.

All the best laid plans!!!

Last afternoon, whilst moored, the boat tended to surge back and forth with the lock activity, so I tightened up the mooring ropes to make sure all would be well overnight. However, overnight the pound level dropped about 4 – 6 inches, which produced a degree of disorientation when getting up in the morning because of the pronounced list to port. So I went and slackened everything off and pushed the boat away from the bank about 2 feet, which sorted the problem. However, what I didn’t want was for a boat to pass us, cause more surging and then get us well and truly aground, so we decided to leave right away at 6:45. The lock was full, bar a few inches, so the plan was for a stealth departure to avoid disturbing the other boats including a Wyvern Shipping hire boat on the lock landing. Unbeknown to me, as I walked back to the boat, Wyvern appeared and asked Pat if they could join us down.  No problem until I saw to my amazement a breasted up pair rounding the corner and by the time I had taken in the mooring ropes they were abeam and without another word took the lock without a word or by your leave. I followed them in short order, but they got jammed up by the Wyvern because of is position already in the lock entrance. We could only laugh about it. Talk about all the best-laid plans! To cap it all, this pair then got themselves jammed in an abandoned bridge hole about half a mile further on.

With all this excitement behind us we did our top up shopping at TESCO canal side in Leighton Buzzard and carried on entirely uneventfully through the Soulbury Three, Stoke Hammond and Fenny Stratford lock and on to what many describe as the most boring bit of canal through Milton Keynes. Sure it has all been nicely manicured but every corner looks
just like the one before with its neat paths, bushes and alternating original and new road bridges. We were glad to reach Great Linford, but sadly all the tidy moorings on the park were occupied and we have to be satisfied with towpath moorings. No access to the pub then.

----------------------------------------- Email sent from www.ntlworld.com Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software
Visit www.ntlworld.com/security for more information

Home

We had a lie-in this morning and got up at 6:45 am.   But then it is the early bird that catches the worm for as I was musing the question of going out to get a morning paper a BW man in black came by and told us that if we went straight away, we could be roped past the obstruction.  So it was.  We were mobile in 1 minute and were first of the three boats waiting on our side.  The dredger and mud float were moored up over the top of the hole in the bottom of canal and there was just room to squeeze the boat around behind and through the bridge hole.  There appeared to be quite a few boats waiting to come through on the other side and Cowley Lock was manned by 4 BW chaps.   We learned that the damage was serious and that the canal will have to be closed and dammed off to rectify the problem, so the passge through was only possible while the engineers awaited the arrival of the heavy plant necessary.  This will all take a week or more and will seriously affect those wishing to travel to the Canalway Cavalcade event at Little Venice this coming weekend.  Our journey back to Harefield Marina was uneventful thereafter.

Stoppage at Cowley

Today we are marooned at Cowley, but more of that later.  After departure checks, i.e. VHF, anchor out and ready for deployment, sealing the Eberspacher exhaust, donning life jackets, moving loose objects to a safer place, weed hatch check (part of a mooring hawser and enumerable plastic bags) we entered Limehouse lock at 9.00 am along with two cruisers destined for Teddington.  Limehouse reach was essentially calm, that is until the very fast catarmaran commuter service boat passed us going up river.  The wash from this boat took the form of a very long swell which had Nuggler pitching impressively, though not enough to take water over the bows.   The morning was cold and misty which gave London a rather depressing appearance with drab commuters trudging over the bridges to the city like figures in a Lowry painting.  There were very few boats moving this early in the morning and once past Westminster Bridge with a few early morning tourists waving at us, the river was quiet.  Arrival at Brentford two and a half hours later was uneventful and we proceeded up to the bottom of Hanwell passing our only canal boat of the day on the way.   The pound below lock 94 always seems to be down, and this time it was so low that we grounded on obstructions on the lock floor and could not close the gates.   Pat went up and let a load of water down to float us off and our journey continued.  At Norwood top lock we had our first intimation from Archimedes that there was a problem at Cowley and indeed, on arrival there we were stopped and moored up.  A dredger working on the bridge approach had taken a bite out of a culvert and all efforts now were directed to sealing up this hole in the bottom of the canal.   It soon became evident that we would make no more progress today, so we reversed to the bridge nearby the recently renovated "Waters Edge" restaurant (Previously the "Turning Point") and settled for a meal there.

Limehouse

Having moored up near the passageway to Paddington Station last Wednesday, and seen Pat, Grannie & the dogs off home I now had to wait out the two days until Saturday when our friend Debbie was to join us with her 6 year old son for a trip down the Regent's Canal.  The time was usefully spent doing a bit of cleaning and shopping and I returned home briefly to pick up the ships radio as it seems more sensible to return to Harefield via the Thames which we can do in one day.  Gemma stayed over two nights and Pat joined me on Saturday with a "catering pack" for the day, which looked very promising with blue sky and little wind.

Debbie & Harry turned up promptly and we left at about 9.30 to follow a boat with no name being taken to Springfield Marina, so we were able to share locks down to Islington where we stopped for one of Pat's unforgettable buffet lunches.  All the locks bar Camden and Old Ford were against us and travelling for the first part with a professional crew on the accompanying boat, all exit gates were left open.  I had requested mooring for two nights at Limehouse, but none were available.  However, we were given permission to spend two nights (rather than the usually limited one) on the open moorings by the south wall.  On arrival the wall was full, so we attached ourselves to the only 60 foot boat there and sat down to enjoy the last of the sunshine with a few beers, some wine and the company of Tom who had cycled over (or under really) from Greenwich to join us for the evening.  Leaving Debbie to return home, the party transferred to The Grapes for more liquid refreshment and finally to the excellent Cafe Rajistan Curry House on Commercial Road.

Today, Sunday, has been spent watching and encouraging the London Marathon which passes by the swing bridge at Limehouse - Gemma's boyfriend Sam was taking part and using the boat as a base, we met his parents for the first time.   Well done Sam - a time of 4 and a half hours isn't at all bad.  I must say that the never ending packed stream of runners appearing over the bridge was really awe inspiring.

Now all our guests have gone it's time to ready the boat for the tidal river transit and prepare ourselves for the morning departure.

Teddington

Runnymead to Teddington, where we await the tide to Brentford, is only about 5 hours, so we had plenty of time.   Leaving our moorings at a leisurely 8 am we self worked Bell Weir Lock  with the intention of making for Walton on Thames for lunch and perhaps more provision shopping.  There was virtually no other traffic until we reached Shepperton Lock and a clutch of plastic boats and a rowing boat emerged going upstream.  Fortunately there was a mooring for us immediately outside the Anglers pub and we shot off to Sainsbury's in the town centre.   A couple of quick pints of Marston's Pedigree were enjoyed before setting off again, reaching the new moorings at Teddington at 16:10.    We could have taken the tide tonight, but we will leave early in the morning instead - a 6.30 departure.  The intention then is to carry straight on to Bulls Bridge and Little Venice to await our trip down the Regent's Canal on Saturday.

Travelling with the two ageing labradors, as we do, brings with it some extra difficulties as well as pleasures.  They are both used to the boat, but because of arthritis are not so keen on jumping off the boat if there is a level difference or a large gap. The Thames is additionally a problem because unlike the canals, the towpath is not immediately accessible and so getting them to do wees and poos at the right time is not so easy.  Lock keepers do not seem to like dogs running around and mostly specifically ask that they be kept on the boat.  So we like it when we have to wait in a queue as this gives us time to give them a bit of "exercise".   Today, however, no traffic and no queues, so when we arrived at Sunbury Lock and found the gates closed with traffic coming up, there was an opportunity, but the lock landing is on a curve and it took a while to get them to summon up enough courage to make the leap.  As the lock gates opened, so did their bowels, so there was Pat running all over the grass with her Sainsbury freezer bags trying to remember where the deposits were and get the dogs back on, while the lock keeper went off to tend his garden.

Runnymead

Today's tasks were:

1 To get roughly half way to Teddington with a view to getting the early morning tide on Wednesday
2 To find water
3 To find bread, milk & some provisions

Halfway looked like Windsor again, which I was a bit unhappy with given our difficulties before.  However, we found ourselves making very good time with seemingly little traffic given that it was a bank holiday.  So we pressed on.  Using the trusty computer and the Gazeteer on Nick Atty's Canal Planner I scanned Maidenhead for useful supermarkets, but they all seemed away on the periphery.  Windsor turned up a Waitrose not far from the main drag, so we planned a stop there on the wall, just after the bridge (going downstream) for a quick getaway up the main street and back.   At Cookham Lock we discovered a water point and used it - a painfully short hose requiring the boat moored half off the layby.  Cookham also has a useful kiosk selling milk & bread (and icecream). We reached Windsor by 15:00 in spite of lock delays over the lunch hour and did the shopping in half an hour - then back on the water reaching Runnymead to find space available on our favourite night stop mooring.   Thames Lock has been booked for 8 am Wednesday.

Henley-on-Thames

We awoke at 6.am to a clear blue sky and the promise of a fine day.  We set off gently ay 7.30 to negotiate Hurley Lock and take on water, but unfortunately the water point was fenced off, pending the commisioning of a new sanitary station, I suspect.   This was a bit of a blow because the next opportunity will be back at Bray Lock when we return tomorrow - and we are now 1/4 full.  The early mornings are the best part of the day, because we have the water all to ourselves.  Approaching Hamble Lock a batch of plastic boats appeared, so we knew that the lock keeper was waiting for us.  Arrival at Henley was just before 10:00 and we moored in our usual place (£5.00 per night).   Pat needs supplies, so we set off to walk to the Waitrose in town, but unusually it was closed, being Easter Sunday I suppose.  Gave the brass its first polish for the season, which in turn will guarantee rain.  Indeed, we now have broken cloud and the likelyhood of a shower before the day is out.

Hurley

Well, we did the tourist thing and walked into Windsor (slowly - Grannie had a bit of a struggle up the hill to the Market Square).  At 9 am it seemed very quiet, just the odd policeman about and the guards on the castle gates, then at 9.20, suddenly, hoards of foreign visitors appeared in clumps, each group with folded umbrella weilding tour guides.  We waited for a tour bus and had a gentle drive round about including a stop by the Watermans Arms where we had stopped yesterday.  The oldest pub in Eton I thought our commentator said.   We wandered back to the boat at about 11 am and set off - along it seemed with everybody else.   Obviously we have been doing it all wrong and the cogniscenti all leave at 11:00.   Consequently there were long lock queues for the small Boveney  and Bray Locks and only at Boulters, with its longer deeper lock, did we get in first flush.  After Cookham, where the gates closed in front of us we tried to make Marlow Lock, but it was after closing time.   The lock keeper kindly let us in, and two other latecomers, and shut the gates for us before leaving us to wind the handle ourselves.    I must count the number of turns needed!  Still nowhere to moor, so Temple Lock next and then we found a nice mooring against a field below Hurley Lock.   Pat scrabbled an ad hoc meal together, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Saute Potatoes and Peas, Sweetcorn, mushrooms and Onions.  Strawberries and cream finished us off all helped with an Italian red (Negroamaro).

Windsor

Along with the grand plan to not have long days and try a bit of tourism, we thought we would aim for Windsor, although it nearly didn't come off.   The day started grey and overcast and we were waiting at Shepperton Lock at 9 am for the Lock Keeper to come on duty.  By Chertsey Lock it started to drizzle and then set in for a wet and cold morning.  Our new Gortex Jackets proved their work in keeping the top half dry and warm, but shoes and jeans got soaked, so by Runnymead we were ready for lunch and a change of clothes.  However, the afternoon improved and by Windsor it was sunny and warm.   The aim was to moor on the Eton side by the grass meadow, but we needed an easy access for Grannie and on two attempts we failed to get near enough to the bank to make boat access possible.  Fearing that we would have to go on to "The hanger", we tried as a last resort nearer to the railway bridge where there is a low bank and succeeded, though the gang plank was still needed.  Taking advantage of this we took a walk towards town and the Watermans Arms, a bustling young persons pub (Pat says) tucked away behing the rowing club boathouse.  Eating in tonight (Casserole - the smell from the slow cooker has been driving me wild all day).

Shepperton Lock

With the deadline of the tide and the need to top up on shopping, we left Cowley at 07:45.  At Bulls Bridge Tesco I topped up the water tank whilst Pat did the shopping, then we were off again.  Having spotted a narrowboat pass us at speed whilst moored on its way towards Brentford, we knew that the Hanwell flight would be against us.  Our plan as usual is for Pat to walk ahead setting the locks, guard the opposite top gate as the boat enters, then open a bottom paddle and immediately walk on, leaving me to see the boat through the lock, closing the bottom gate on exit.  Using this pattern we had caught up with the previous boat and joined them for the last two of Hanwell.  This boat, crewed by novices who incidentally thought that the lock was not big enough for two boats, was in turn slowed by a cruiser in front which did need the full lock.   Moving on from the bottom of Hanwell, Pat reported via the CB Radio that there was a problem with the cruiser ahead at Osterley Lock.   The bottom gates seemed to be leaking badly and they could not get the lock to fill.  Because of the River Brent and its weir just above the lock, this lock attracts an enormous amount of rubbish and there was a tree trunk behind a bottom gate and a large amount of general rubbish including large branches.   We advised emptying the lock and flushing it out, which worked and using a boat hook, we succeeded in getting the tree out with the cruiser.  The new BW Offices at Brentford Basin are now open, and there is a card operated pump out facility there.  What a pity though that the pumps used in these units are so feeble.  The flow is intermittent and the pump timing not long enough to empty our holding tank.   What it needs in my view is something like a large wet vacuum cleaner.

Once on the exposed Thames reach above Brentford, the wind which was much stronger than we thought and the water, with wind against tide, was the roughest I have seen it.  In spite of this, the trip was uneventful apart from having to raise the Teddington Lock keeper by telephone after thinking there was nobody there.  Really, we should have stopped at Hamton Court.   There were plenty of moorings there, but having in mind that we should be able to get to Walton on Thames (The Anglers) I carried on.  However, Sunbury Lock keeper had gone off duty on the dot and we had to self work the lock in company with a work boat and our favourite moorings by the Anglers were full.   The next spot is where we are now, on public moorings at the bend below Shepperton Lock, opposite the weir and in a strong flow.  To be on the safe side I dropped the anchor as well, as a fail safe should our pins get pulled out with or without help from a local.

River Thames Easter Jaunt

Harefield Marina to Cowley

Harefield to Brentford, where we get access to the tidal Thames, is 6 - 7 hours and with high tide at 16:00 hours local time we need to be out on the river at 14:00 to take maximum benefit from the flood tide, so it is a little bit too much to do in one day.   Accordingly we braved midday traffic from home, reached the boat at 14:15, and after loading up, set off at 14:45.   We joined up with GUCCC ELSTREE at Denham Deep Lock and Uxbridge, but continued alone after Uxbridge Boat Centre.  Dredging work was still underway in this pound , the dredger nearing Cowley Lock.  At Cowley, ARA was in the same position as when last we passed, but this time open for business, so we took on 3 bags of Taybright.  The weather is still cold at night, but milder conditions are forecast for the weekend.   Nevertheless, we do not like to be cold!.

Our mooring for the night was just below Cowley Lock, by the sports field - excellent for the dogs.  Access to the Malt Shovel pub, always in the past an issue because the door opening to the lock side was locked, was no longer a problem.   The door we found was open.   The Marston's Pedigree on tap (not from cask) was tried and found to be not too bad.   Tomorrow - Brentford and then hopefully on to Walton on Thames.

Return to Harefield

The dinner party of last night and the chef (First Mate) had departed by 9 am, so having donned the long johns, jeans, three layers of top clothing plus waterproof/windproof jacket, "russian hat" (which folds down over the ears) and thinsulate gloves I set off to wind in the pool before commencing the return journey.   Apart from a boat seen emerging from Maida Vale Tunnel in the distance, nothing was seen moving until past Alperton where I had to wait briefly for a large workboat with mechanical excavator and spoil barge working on towpath renovations, to move out of the way.   A brief stop at Black Horse Greenford was used for a fast sandwich lunch and warm up, before continuing on to Bulls Bridge and turning right for the Main Line.   Unlike Sunday when all was quiet, the Denham gravel traffic was active with movement on the quay at West Drayton and sight of one of the special barges in the distance making its way towards me.  They travel quite slowly, but even so I was trying to calculate the wisdom of putting on a spurt for the intervening bridge hole when the helmsman gave me three flashes indicating that he was giving way.  Nearing West Drayton station at the end of the long straight section I noticed a tug following me in the distance.  By Cowley Peachey it had caught up with me, trailing a breaking wave in its wake.   The reason for its tuen of speed was evident when reaching the lock, for two massive dumb barges were being roped through the lock and the tug was just in time to pick up the second to establish what looked like a push pull train.   I wonder if this is intended as yet another attempt to try and increase the efficiency of the gravel traffic.   To my mind, automating Cowley and Uxbridge locks would bring the geatest benefit.      Further on at Uxbridge, yet another delay, this time for dredging works opposite the Hillingdon Canal Club moorings.   The sludge was being taken up past Uxbridge Boat Centre to a makeshift wharf where a long reach excavator was loading it into waiting lorries.   Arrival at the marina was uneventful, 7 hours after departure from Little Venice.

Entertaining

After Gemma had gone off to work, I did some maintenance tasks (see maintenance section ), the weather still too cold to do much to the exterior of the boat although it needs a spring clean up and the brass needs a lot of work.   Pat arrived early afternoon and set about preparing the meal for Gemma's guest - a real nouvelle cuisine affair.   Crab cocktail (Trebbiano) - Braised pork in cider with savoy cabbage on creamed potatoes (Merlot della Venezie) - Chocolate fondants with ice cream.  Gemma & Sam arrived around 7 pm and the above was enjoyed, the party retiring to "The Waterway" for cocktails.  Really a bit of a young person's pub - or more of a wine bar perhaps.

Little Venice

This is a popular trip for us, this one taken at short notice in order to provide a floating restaurant so that Gemma can entertain, with Pat as Chef and your writer (Michael) as Maitre d'.   Travelling today gave Gemma a chance to ride along and operate the locks. Extremely good exercise for stomach muscles she tells me.  She can then go to work tomorrow just down the (Edgware) road and Chef will arrive tommorrow to do the business.

A cold early morning start.  In fact temperature around zero degrees with a bitter wind.  The boat was cold so priority one was to get the stove sorted out.  It takes several hours to get everything warmed up. On the way down through the three locks leading to the long pound to Paddington, there was some evidence of tree cutting with lots of wood up for grabs if you have the equipment to hand to parcel it up into convenient stove sized portions.  Chef had given us a shopping list, but moorings by Tesco at Bulls Bridge were full.  We stopped at Uxbridge Road (dirty bird fowl ridden rather broken down advertised moorings with no rings or bollards) for a quick lunch, then on.  The new marina, part of the residential development north of Willowbridge, is now full of water, but not connected.  The development itself does not appeal, but a true appraisal must wait until it is finished and landscaped.   Moorings at Sainsbury's Alperton were free and this is a major store, so useful.  The presence of the supermarket is not obvious from the canal, but it is infact a lot more convenient than Tesco.  On then to LV.   Moorings OK under the footbridge.   Not a lot of boats on the move, Indus was making for Bulls Bridge and a cluster visiting the supermarket at Kensal Green passed us after we had moored up.   Looking for a good Indian tonight!

Watford to Harefield Marina

Icebergs

It was obviously going to be another cold night, so we were a little concerned that the ice might have advanced significantly.  Indeed, looking at the canal as the sun rose in a blue sky, the ice had indeed advanced from the opposite bank overnight but with the (river) stream clear.   We walked down to the pound below Ironbridge lock and apart from a few leads for the first 100 yards it was completely frozen over.   However, our judgement was that it was only thin, so, much to the delight of the local cheerful fishermen who needed us to break up the ice opposite our mooring, we set off.

In fact we had no problem.   The ice was easily broken by the passage of the boat on tickover and we cleared a channel down to Cassio Lock.   The pound below was completely clear.  From Common Moor Lock we were about to enter another completely frozen section but for an upcoming boat (one of the Narrow Escape family) that had cleared a channel for us.   On the way up yesterday this is where we had met the thickest ice and so we just meandered through the icebergs left over from the weekend traffic.    Below Lot Mead Lock there was no further ice at all apart from a little above Stockers.    At Coppermill we met a load of London Firemen waiting around for a BW person to come and test the water for them to satisfy their health and safety requirements before throwing someone in (as they put it).   They were on a water rescue exercise.   A cheerful bunch who just let Pat get on with preparing the lock and watching us through.  I would have wanted to lend a hand with the gates or something, but I suppose health and safety rules would disallow that.   By now the weather was warmer and the Marina was totally clear.   All in all a good weekend.

Back home!

Last night was, of course "Bonfire Night", and moored as we were close to Cassiobury Park we expected a show as the locals put on a big firework display there.    We were not disappointed.  One explosion was so strong that it made the boat shake as if the water was disturbed.   It probably was.   The noise continued, rather similar to a small war, until quite late.   Thank goodness we had left the dogs at home.   They are terrified by fireworks.   Do they hear a component of the sound that we do not?   Similar sounds on the TV have no effect.

Rain was promised and it arrived overnight.   After quick breakfast we left between showers, but by the time we had reached the first lock the rain had started again and it was full wet weather gear for me.  The bottom gates were open and Cassio lock is a slow filler.    We had to deal with open bottom gates as far as Stockers Lock where we passed upcoming traffic and then at Coppermill, there was another boat conveniently entering the lock ahead of us.    Now!  Had we been traveling in the opposite direction, all the open gates would have been great fun.    This will be our last trip this year, so the next boat visit will be a maintenance detail to prepare for the "arctic winter" the met office have promised us.     In our case, rain never stops play.    In the summer as helmsman I adopt the minimal clothing ploy.  Bare legs dry quickly and stay warm.   In the winter it is essential to stay dry, so I have a "Yachty" type of weatherproof suit which is perfect and includes a high collar and hood.   Gloves are also needed and I have found the plastic? coated industrial type of gloves to be the most practical.   Wet ropes, grit and bare hands do not go well together.

VODAFONE MOBILE CONNECT CARD

This trip gave me the first opportunity to try out this communications medium for the first time in the field.  The posting from Watford was made with difficulty and only a GPRS Connection which kept dropping out.   Partly this may have been due to the observation that connections with the Typepad server are very slow indeed in the late afternoon and early evenings.  I put this down to poor bandwidth and I believe that this problem has been acknowledged.   Improvements are promised.   Back at Harefield, no connection seemed possible.   This did not surprise me as previous experience with the SMS boat alarm proved the need for an external aerial.   

Watford

We lefty Harefield at 7:40 for our regular "get-away " weekend cruise to Watford Cassiobury Park.   Well, OK, I have business in Watford from time to time, so this is a good excuse.     It seems that today we were following another boat - one who leaves lock gates open. Both gates!   So it might have been 2 boats.   Now I have nothing against leaving lock gates open providing it is the norm for everyone, so I suppose I cannot grumble.   At Stockers Lock, Pat caught a glimpse of the rear end of this boater blasting out of the lock.

Going back in time somewhat, we notice that the old Mill Restaurant at Black Jacks Lock has been sold, but no sign of to whom.   I do hope that whoever has bought this property is going to be sympathetic to the ambience of this place.   We have never seen Black Jack's Restaurant in action, so as to speak, and it has always looked semi-derelict.   If redevelpoed as a restaurant it will have to have specialist appeal, renowned for its excellence, shall we say.   I fear though that it will be redeveloped in another way.

At Batchworth we passed two boats taking water, and they followed us up to Ironbridge Lock, where we winded and moored above the lock in the hope of getting a better TV signal.  - Success!.

A lovely traditional lunch (for us) of smoked salmon, salad and new potatoes washed down with a bottle of  Argentinian white

Back to Harefield

The day after arriving at Kensal Green (Friday), I was up at 6 am and off by 6:45.   Made very good progress apart from a quick stop at Alperton to remove large quantities of plastic from the propeller.   Made even better progress after that, so felt that a brief stop at 10:00 for coffee at Bulls Bridge was allowed.    On arrival at Cowley, the luck changed.   There was a houseboat going up the lock and I watched as a narrowboat backed up to take up the tow.  On the first attempt at pulling away one of the cross straps broke.   I decided it was time for lunch.   After lunch they were just negotiating the bridge, but by the time I had waited for an opposite direction and used the lock myself they were gone round the corner.   I caught up with them again at Uxbridge Boat Centre and waited while they maneuvered - which seemed to take ages.   Then the motor boat shot off towards Uxbridge Lock only to decide on a winding at the bridge below the marina entrance.   More waiting!    However, I thought my luck had changed when I saw Uxbridge Lock gates open.   I turned my head to look elsewhere briefly and then they were shut.   A blast on the horn did nothing, so I nosed right up to the gates.   The top paddles were up already and someone leaned down from the top of the gates saying "Sorry didn't see you".   I will have to confess to feeling a little bit of canal-rage rearing up at this point.   I must have looked fearsome, because they drained the partly filled lock and opened the gates for me.    And it was only a rubber dinghy with outboard motor waiting!

Denham Deep lock was empty and ascended in good style.   Then the rush to beat the rush hour home.   I failed.   Chelsea is a nightmare now that Battersea Bridge is closed after the barge hit it over a week ago.

Back to Little Venice

Chloe's party of friends arrived last evening, fortunately for them in a lull in the rain.   They were meant to ake their own arrangements but joined me in the Grapes where I was waiting for my friends to join me.   However, after arranging a table, they found that the fish menu was not to their liking so went elsewhere.   Joined by my friends we finished our round and went in search of food elsewhere - finding a modern Italian restaurant on the other side of the lifting bridge.  Excellent food and massive portions!

The plan this morning, because some of Chloe's firends had to be back home by 4 pm, was for me to just wake, get dressed and set off immediately single handed, leaving the girls to wake at their leisure ("Good old Dad").   The problem was that it was dark still at 6am, and pouring with rain, so the departure took a few minutes longer due to the need for full rain gear (top half).  It was too warm amazingly for the full gear, so shorts and deck shoes was it.    Actually, it was quite fun leaving in the dark - well actually not dark really because of the street lighting, but the headlight illuminates the lock nicely going up.   Progress was slow but very methodical, since in the wet I am always worried about slipping and one top paddle might be all one needs to use.   The rain continued until St Pancras.   The girls were by now awake and out, totally soaked and it had got cold.  So, muggins left them by the stove and completed Camden locks.    The left hand top lock of the pair was open, so I used that - again a slow ascent single handed.   A trip boat entered the other lock as we were about to leave.   By Lissom Grove it was on my tail - they must go at quite a chat because I wasn't hanging around.   To expedite the girls journey I went down the Paddington Arm to as close as I could get to the station.   Really its very convenient and there is plenty of mooring.  Having seen them on their way I dropped in at the Farmer Market for interest.   Seemingly this is now a regular Thursday weekly feature.   Then on to Kensal Green for the night to get a good getaway in the morning.   This is a good spot to moor on the edge of Central London.  Plenty of grass for the dogs and there are always other boats around for security.   The next spot I would be willing to overnight at would probably have to be Greenford, although I would try and avoid even there.

Limehouse

Up at 6 a m.  Walked dogs.   The girls were up and already having breakfast and were gone by 7:15.   Then the tidy-up!    Finished the washing up from the night before and then set off at 8:15 for Limehouse.   The paired top locks at Camden are always a pain.   There is no adjacent lock landing so single handed operation is not a doddle.   I tied up with stern and centre rope to an old pulley wheel right on the corner by the small arm where the trip boats moor.   Then shuffle down the gunwale to get on and off.   Both locks were empty.   The next full, the next empty - seemed no logic to it.   The wind was quite strong and the boat ended up across the canal by the third lock.   Wind was also a trouble at St Pancras - both bottom gates open and a BW workboat just disappearing round the corner ahead.   Fortunately the workboat had moored up before Battlebridge Basin, so no delays through Islington Tunnel.   Indus and Pictor were moored above Islington Lock (City Road Lock) and both top gates open - and after that it all seemed to go my way.   The plan was to stop above Old Ford Lock for lunch, but both top gates were open, so rather than look a gift horse in the mouth I carried on.    There were quite a lot of chatty gongoozlers on the towpath and I do hope that the two who were contemplating a canal holiday go ahead with it.   There was room on the wall at Limehouse and just the moment I moored up, the heavens opened and the promised rain arrived.

Little Venice

First day of a quick trip to Limehouse & back via Regents Canal, ostensibly to enable Chloe to host some friends for a day out - Limehouse to Little Venice.   First, on arriving at the boat I needed to replace the door seal on the squirrel stove which onl;y took a few minutes, but I was anticipating the need for the stove.   As it happened the weather was so warm that shirt sleeves were the order of the day and the stove thus far has not been needed.   The trip to Little Venice was uneventful really.  Left Harefield at 7:45, a stop at Sainsbury's in Alperton for 20 minutes, and arrived at LV at 15:00.   Gemma was joining me for the evening with her flat mate, so supper was prepared and then we withdrew to the pub for a drink.

CUTWEB Rally and home

One could wonder why the silence for a few days.  Well the Rally was great fun with great company,  really good entertainment and busy.   Pat wanted to return home ASAP to rescue youngest daughter, so we left the Rally early on Sunday morning (18th) and did one of those high speed runs Napton to Harefield in 3 1/2 days, leaving us exhausted, and then on return home found a mountain of mail (well 18 inches worth) requiring attention.

I have also spent some 3 days trying to get the Vodafone 3G/GPRS card to work reliably in the laptop, but to no avail.   It seems to be a driver problem (its 4 years old now).    When time permits I will try and produce a better account with pictures.

PS October 10th !!     Pictures taken at the Rally are now on the Photo-Album pages.

Hillmorton

Here we are sitting in bright early morning sunshine albeit with a chill wind, at the top of the three doubled Hillmorton Locks.   Our gentle progress over the last few days had a number of highlights - unexpectedly warm and sunny weather - the close convenience and attractiveness of shopping in Rugeley (Bridge 66) - our "treat night" eating at the Plum Pudding Bistro http://www.plumpudding.co.uk/ including good adjacent moorings - a smooth progression up Atherstone Locks and a night at Hawkesbury Junction marked by a spectacularly good meal in the restaurant at The "Greyhound" (one should book a table here) which for ambience, service, quality and price has to be the winner of all the establishments we have patronised on our trips this year.

Yesterday we joined a file of boats wending their way to Rugby, and for us TESCO, our last opportunity to stock up before the Cutweb http://www.cutweb.org.uk/rally2005.html Rally.  Not wanting to stop there for the night because of congestion near the bridge (as well as road noise and poor TV reception) we moved on intending to stop below the locks.   However, we missed our chance of a free mooring space and found ourselves at the top.

Wolseley

We are now aiming for the CIBC (Cutweb Internet Boating Club) GIG at Napton.  We need to be there on Friday, so have to slow down.  Leaving Barlaston we thought that a stop at Great Haywood and perhaps a visit to Shugborough Hall would be fun.  Then on Monday an overnight at The Plum Pudding Bistro on the edge of Rugeley which we so enjoyed earlier this year.   However, Great Haywood was actually chock-a-block with boats, so much so that the lock landing was partially obstructed and boats waiting for the lock were partially obstructing the channel.  So we continued on to Wolseley where we found a nice quiet mooring, access to the Wolseley Arms (good for food) and a Shell Garage just up the road for Post Office, Newspapers and convenience food.   So tomorrow, a very slow 2 hour ride to Plum Pudding then with perhaps some shopping in Rugeley itself.

Barleston again

Last night, Red Bull, tonight Barleston.

It rained heavily overnight and appeared to be improving this morning.   Left at 7:30 to get the first passage through Harecastle Tunnel.  No luck!.    We were fourth to arrive, but told to breast up with the first boat by the tunnel keeper.   Thus we were first through, but not until after waiting for 75 minutes for the opposite direction traffic which included a cygnet which one boater had shepherded through the tunnel in front of his boat, afraid to squash it.    After pump-out and water at Etruria we rejoined the queue for the Stoke Locks and the rain set in.   By Barleston and after many locking delays we had had enough and settled down for the night.   

Higher Poynton

Today Nuggler returned to her birthplace at Braidbar Boats.    Leaving Bugsworth, on arrival at the swing bridge we had had trouble with on the way, we found a boat on the otherside in a situation similar to our own two days before, namely with the bridge jammed half open.  So, without more ado, as we had planned, Pat jumped off the front, attached a lengthened bow rope to the turning bar on the bridge and I put the boat in reverse.  The bridge swung open easily all in a trice.   Lunch at Marple and then on to see our friends Iain and Luisa, owners of Braidbar Boats at Higher Poynton (aka Lord Vernon's Wharf).  We had a show round their latest build - very impressive.

Bugsworth

As our journey takes us along the Lower Peak Forest Canal then via Macclesfield to the Trent & Mersey, on reaching the top of the attractive Marple flight we decided to make a small detour to visit Tesco at Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth Basin, newly re-opened after extensive restoration works.   Having passed only two boats since Portland Basin, from Marple it was a different story.  There is a new swing bridge which we hadn't expected and an old one which was so difficult to swing that it took three people - thanks to a passer by.   I couldn't expect Pat to close it on her own, so I dropped a loop over the handrail as I went by and got the boat to close it.  (Not looking forward to the return!).  Tesco came up to expectations, but Bugsworth far exceeded.  If you are interested in industrial and canal history, this place is a treasure, tastefully restored, with all the old basins now available for mooring.    There are plenty of interpretation boards and information is available from volunteers of the Inland Waterways Protection Society which has led the restoration.   The most interesting of the old photographs we found in the pub!  The Navigation Inn,  which is situated above the Upper Basin, has a collection of pictures and memorabilia which is fascinating.  It is also an excellent pub with a superb kitchen, so definitely worth a visit.    We liked Bugsworth so much we stayed two days.   The most popular mooring places appeared to be in the lower basin, the first you come across, but take the arm to the right and you come across fingers of old wharves which can be quite secluded as the picture below shows.

Ashton Canal

I'm afraid we have jumped location to Portland Basin (though we are not really in the basin) at the end of the Ashton Canal.   I wanted to write something about the National Festival, but with a full boat (4 of us) it is not easy to get the time and space.   Manchester in Castlefield was fine for overnight, even on a Saturday night.  But climbing the Rochdale '9' starting at 6 in the morning was an experience.  My recollection will be the screaming of rusty paddle gear and the lack of maintenance to the gears which makes the old chestnut about the Kennet & Avon being "difficult" seem stupid.   Some of the night clubs were still going strong which didn't give us a good feeling either.   Then the Ashton.   Well we were doing fine until we found ourselves behind a boater who seemed to manage to get his 70 footer aground on both sides of the canal at the same time - a trick most of us have performed at one time or another I'm sure.  Then it seemed he couldn't get into Lock 13 because of rubbish - a motor bike, mattress, vacuum cleaner, section of builders fencing etc.   This delayed our passage for 1 hour and 40 minutes and dropped water levels above leading to us getting stuck on a large underwater obstruction at swingbridge 14 - another 40 minutes.   Then we were into "Orc" time, the fine weather had brought them all out, looking for opportunities but fortunately we had no incidents to worry about.   Portland Basin appears to me today to be full of boats which have all the appearances of permanent moorers, so we have found a spot just up the Peak Forest before the railway bridge.   Hoping for a good trip up the Lower Peak Forest tomorrow.

The IWA National Festival

I'm a bit late writing this up, but time is needed for my brain to reflect on what was an enjoyable weekend.   Yes!  There are those who grumble about the distance of moorings from the event itself, but I realise now, after Burton-on-Trent, that this is to be expected and infact enjoyed the walk two or three times a day.  I felt fitter as a result.   Thanks to the advice and help of our local harbourmaster, we moored stern to stern with our neighbour, Omega, and getting dogs and Grannie on and off was not too much of a problem - they were unscheduled guests as it happens.   I had volunteered for duty and was assigned as a cashier for three three hour stints.  This was fun as well as useful.   There was always experienced help at hand for the difficult customers and the most taxing thing about it was the question of working out the cost of multiple tickets with full price and concessions - and then giving the right change.   Steamboat President was of course in attendance as always.   We had already had a chance meeting.   The picture was taken as the boat cruised up the main Bridgewater Canal to Keckwick Bridge to carry the Mayor and other dignitories back for the official opening.  (Click to enlarge).   The trade was well represented, some for the first time and there was plenty of entertainment on hand all day for the visitors.   It's just a pity that the weather on Monday morning was bad, but by the afternoon the sun was out and numbers picked up.   Highlight for me was the horse boating harnessing demonstration by Sue Day and her presentation in the Festival Theatre late on Monday.   The Horseboating Society was well represented by both Queenie and Bonnie, the horses, and the boat "Maria" with her cargo of limestone loaded at Bugsworth.   I think it was Sue's lecture that persuaded me to visit Bugsworth this trip.