UK Canals - Journey reports

Next cruise

Our next cruise is in September and has almost become a routine trip to the Blue Lias pub at the bottom of the Stockton Flight, GU, for a Cutweb get together.  We will be retracing our steps via the Thames and Oxford Canals, and then making a fast return via the Grand Union Canal.

Home

Leaving Cowley around 08:00 we came up behind a full size dumb barge laden with a heap of scrap metal being worked up through Cowley Lock.  We joined the tug in the lock.  The boatman was repairing to the lockside cafe so would not impede further progress.   He was concerned, however, about the gravel barges because his large vessel was blocking the lock approach.  We passed ARUNDEL (without its butty)  loaded with gravel in the next pound and were hoping that Uxbridge Lock gates would be open for us as we would expect.   They were and we arrived just in time to enter the lock before the boatman operating the large gravel barge was able to turn it around.   At the next lock, Denham Deep, a group of total novices on the Denham Boat Services day boat "Lovely Job" were receiving instruction and I think we caused a bit of confusion by leaping all around the lock as we do.   Passage was, of necessity, a little slower than usual!     Finally we returned to our mooring in the marina to find the car with a totally flat battery.   It seems that the solar charger which I attach to the battery when away was no longer working.   Charging up a totally flat car battery takes ages and after two hours there was still not enough charge to turn the engine over.   We had to wait for another two hours for the rescue service to attend.

Cowley Peachey

No point in leaving early this morning, so we waited till after 9:00 when the lock-keepers come on duty, and set off.  The only other traffic was a large cruiser on the way to Rochester, that joined us in Sunbury Lock.  The long moorings at Teddington were empty apart from one narrowboat facing upstream.  Half an hour before high tide we aimed for the lock which had just been vacated by a large trip boat heading for Hampton Court and 15 minutes later were in the tideway, joined by a tiny cruiser and its lone occupant who stuck behind us all the way to Brentford.   Our intention was to carry on up the Hanwell flight and he likewise, so we would have company.   The difficulty here was to try and find a way of working given our differing techniques.  He, for example, wanted to work his own side and was used to roping his boat in and out of the locks.  So we went in first on the offside, used a bow and centre rope and never opened our side gate paddles to limit the narrowboat surging across the lock suddenly.   Leaving Brentford Gauging Locks at 15:00, we reached the top at 17:50.   There was more evidence of BW cut backs.  The lock sides were weedy, and vegetation in several cased obscured the sight line into the locks with the stairs overgrown with nettles and brambles.  Gone it seems when pride in their local patch gained the local team awards for their work - assuming that awards are even still given.

The Jolly Boatman

After a hot breakfast, we left the mooring at 08:00 and continued south.  About 5 boats passed us going the other way while we were in this pound, but Somerton Deep Lock with its iconic lock house was deserted and the lock was half empty.   Harry leaps about with great enthusiasm and will not be beaten by the stiff lockgear.   So we were soon on our way again.   Locks are infrequent on this part of the canal, but as the valley sides steepen and the canal twists and turns, so the locks occur more frequently. At Northbrook Lock there was a queue of 4 boats waiting to come up, so plenty of help to get us down.   We stopped for lunch at the disused quarry and agin at the farm shop on the boat above Pigeons Lock.   Lots of tempting food here, tarts, cakes, pies and differnt types of chutney and preserves.   Soon we were on the river and its deeper water allows more normal speed for the boat, this reach terminating in one of the curious six sided broad weir locks.   Coming into Thrupp with its large lifting bridgewe were disappointed to see no mooring space available, so had to continue on.   There was space available outside the Jolly Boatman however.   This is not such a peaceful mooring as there is a main road on the other side of the hedge.   However, the pub is tidy.

Aynho Wharf

Got to the lauderette at 09:01 with our load of washing and managed to talk the manager in to doing a service wash for us, ready at 11:00.   I then went to the supermarket to find Pat to help carry home the provisions we need for the next few days.  Sure enough, the laundry was ready on time, beautifully folded.  Our guests, Debbie and her 9 year old son Harry arrived on time at the station and we wasted no time in getting moving.  We were by now in need of a pump out, diesel and water.   Aynho Wharf could help us, but they close at 4:30 - could we get there in time.  There were boats ahead of us and opposite dirction boats to add to the coctail and it looked as if we would be too late.    So, arriving at 4:25 we didn't expect any help.   However, "No problem"!   We were able to get the full treatment and a mooring opposite to boot.   This was an ideal situation for the "Great Western Arms" where we had an excellent meal in the restaurant arden with attentive service.

Banbury

This morning, we met just one perfectly timed opposite direction boat on the Claydon flight of locks.  After that though, traffic started to build up and whe we reached Cropredy we were in a queue of three waiting for the lock.   Opposite direction traffic became a factor and we were waiting now at every lock, not that this was a problem in any way.  Soon we reached the outskirts of Banbury and the inevitable line of permanently moored boats before coming to Sovereign Wharf where we wanted diesel.  It was closed for lunch.  There was a 61foot space on the moorings  outside Castle Quay shopping centre, so we stopped here to have something to eat before moving on again, under the Tom Rolt Bridge and past the Historic Tooley's Boatyard of Rolt's book "Narrowboat" fame to be nearer the Morrisons Supermarket on the other side of town.   We need a launderette and provisions.   I found the launderette quickly enough but had to drag the bag of laundry back to the boat because it was "half day closing".   There should be time for laundry tomorow morning before our guests arrive to join us as far as Oxford.

Fenny Compton

We had no probles up the Napton Flight early in the morning, all the locks being essentially empty.  Then the cruise along the twists and turns of the summit level before arriving at Fenny around 11:30.   The promised fine weather didn't realy arrive until the afternon, the morning was sunny spells, but the cold biting wind was still with us until the shelter of the hedge where we were moored.

Napton

Really, This should be entitled "No room at the Inn", but more of that later.   Leaving at the usual time, i.e. before most boaters have got out of bed, we had the first few Fosse Locks on our own.  Now we were climbing again.  Pat still needed to rest her ankle, so she was at the helm.  Mike on the bike.   At each lock I took a centre rope off to a rear bollard and only opened the ipsilateral paddle. The boat is very stable in this configuration but open the opposite paddle and it can go anywhere violently.  Riding ahead I caught the tail end of one of the Kate hire boats that passed us yesterday, just leaving the lock.  It was to be several locks later before we caught them up because of opposite direction traffic holding us up.  We have a pair of CB radios which are very useful so that I can advise Pat to slow down so that she does not have to bother with mooring up to wait.   Further on we came in sight of the Bascote staircase pair.  The hire boat we had seen was attempting a passage but obviously had no idea of how to work because the bottom lock was flooding.  The gates were over-topping like Niagara Falls.  Eventually, someone must have read the instructions.   We finally caught up with them at the next lock as they were waiting for an opposite direction boat, so we joined them in the lock.  A charming boat of Danish holidaymakers who in their generosity let us go first.  Unfortunately we could not return the favour, because at the next lock another boat was waiting to pair up.  Bojangles proved an excellent partner.  Pat was encouraged to attempt parallel running into locks which she had been reluctant to do, but which she turned out to be perfectly adept at.  Two boats going into the lock side by side save a lot of "messing around" as each holds the other in position, but both helmsmen must be skilled.   Together she shot up the Stockton flight in double quick time.   After a brief stop for lunch near the top we carried on with the aim of dining in the evening at the Bridge Inn, near Napton.   Sadly, there was no room on the moorings.  The Folly Inn at Napton had to do, but it s not got the same reputation.

Radford

We like to do lock flights early in the morning.  Generally there are fewer other boats moving to cause delays and pairing up can be a mixed blessing.  Some of the most enjoyable, and instructive transits have been paired with other boats, but other times it can be stressful.  So we left to descend the Hatton flight early.  Pat at the helm, because of her sprained ankle.  To our dismay, the first pound was completely empty.   There was no obvious reason for this, so one must assume leaky gates.   So our first task was to fill it which took about 20 minutes.  Two locks down the BW Lockie arrived to deal with it.  This must be a regular problem.   He said that there was another pound at the Warwick end that would need checking.  This is another problem of leaving early.   We made good progress after that and saw no other boats coming down but passed about three lockings of other boats coming up near the bottom.   By the time we passed the two Cape Locks down onto the sump of the canal we were tired to say the least.  The gates are heavy and the paddle gear is very stiff.  We just worked one side.  We decided to call it a day at Leamington, so did some small shopping for food and moved on to a quiet section of the canal near Radford and the bottom of Fosse Locks where we will start to climb again tomorrow.

Hatton

Another early start.  Needing to be at Hatton by 12:00 to meet Pat at the station I woud rather have time to lose at the end of the journey.  My prediction with regard to locks was correct.  Most were empty.  Being so early in the morning without the likelyhood of opposite direction traffic, I adopted the practice of nosing gently up to the bottom gate then accesing the lockside to either open the gate, or empty the lock in the very few cases where leaks had filled the chamber overnight.  There is no need to rope the boat as even when emptying the lock the water flow will draw the boat in.  This way I reached the top at Kingswood Junction by 09:05 and decided to take the waters. A slow fill this one!   Then onto the Grand Union up to Shrewley Tunnel where I stopped again, this time to visit the village store which you can reach easily, as the notice says, by taking the path which leads up through the short pedestrian tunnel.  Thus I arrived at Hatton with 20 minutes to spare.

Back to Gloucester

Hempstead Road Bridge and the large bascule bridge at the entrance to Gloucester City Docks are not available to leisure boaters between 8:20 and 9.00 for the rush hour.  Accordingly we delayed our departure from the norm, but we were much later than 9:00 arriving in the end.  A call to the LLantony Bridge operator ascertained that we should find the pontoon we really need to disembark "Grannie".   We did indeed find one, next to "Hazel" a sister boat from Braidbar.   We are now returning to London for a catch up with post and hope to resume the cruise on Tuesday, weather permitting.   Gloucester moorings are 48 hour, so the boat will move to a secret location in the meantime.

Saul Junction

Last night we had a good meal at the "Tall Ships".   This morning a shopping expedition to stock up for the weekend.  Then about 10:45 we set off, through the LLantony Lift bridge, first for the pump-out and waterpoint.  By 11:10 we were done and on our way.   Two more bridges needed to be swung to bring us to our mooring 2 hours later.   The wind is still very strong and took my hat on the way.   There will be no hope of us getting to Bristol if it keeps on like this.

Saul Junction

Gloucester Docks

This morning we had to wait for the lock-keeper, so a late start at 8:25.   Slowing for the lock the red light was flashing, so it was just a mater of dawdling.  The light then went green and we were in.   We passed the trip boat Conway Castle at Upton on Severn and a little while later heard it on the VHF calling up for traffic information on the gravel base further on where two gravel barges are providing an alternatng shuttle moving gravel over about  two miles.   Later this boat was passing us when the skipper called over for us to heave-to as one of the gravel barges was opposite direction.  Conway Castle turned and went into the Avon, whilst we continued on.  Upper Lode Lock light went green before we got there, so no delay there. Onwards again for the 3 hour leg to Gloucester.  Calling Gloucester on the radio got no repsonse and a telephone call got the answer machine, but turning the corner, the lock was ready for us.   We were joined in the lock by a neat short, Piper built broadbeam.  Then the difficulty on getting onto the short pontoon in the cross wind - two attempts, the latter heavily dependent on the bow thruster!.    All the pontoon cleats are in the wrong places, so we end up with a cats cradle of ropes in places that I wouldn't ideally put them.

Short mooring pontoons, Gloucester Docks

Worcester

We have arrived in Worcester.   Pat duly collected her washing and we moved down to the water point for half an hour, then on to pick up some diesel at Stroudwater Cruisers.  Then a very unevetful run in hazy sunshine.   Granny thinks we are on the Thames, but hey - all water looks the same, doesn't it.  Sadly for her, I can't get TV reception here.  Malvern is shown as giving cover, but nothing worth watching.

Cambrian Wharf

We set off even earlier than usual today to get an early arrival at Birmingham City Centre hopefully to get a mooring in Cambrian Wharf.  As it turned out there was plenty of room.    Leaving Wiggins Bridge we soon reached the first of the Minworth three locks which was in our favour.   Expecting the same at the next we were pleased to see that a gentleman standing by the lock gate saw us and opened the gate for us.  Seeing the boat name he said; "I know that boat.  I follow your blog!"  After a pleasant chat we went on our way.   Arriving at the bottom of the Aston Locks we set about the climb up to the city centre. As we were leaving the first lock a boat appeared behind and was winding the bottom paddles as I closed the gate.   Pat had of course walkd on by this time.  Hmm, I thought - we are being chased.    As we reached the next lock a cyclist appeared with a windlass  My immediate thought was that was the lock wheeler from the boat behind. But it wasn't.  It was Aidan Matthews, the chap from the second Minworth Lock who had decided to come and lock wheel for us up the Aston Flight.  He said that he often helps Andrew Denny (Hi Andrew if you're reading this) and knew the late Mike Stevens.  What a mine of local information he was, and what a rapid transit. We never saw the boat behind us again.  He needed to get back to work and so left us at the Ason Junction.   Thanks again Aidan.     At the bottom of Farmer's Bridge we found ourselves behind two boats  One that had overtaken us yesterday afternoon and a BW workboat working its way along spraying the vegetation on the walls with weedkiller.   As I approached to stop behind them I took a fleece jacket (it later transpired once removed) on the prop and lost most propulsion and steering. There was a metallic clang as I hit the BW boat gently.    We actually had no delay going up and the BW chaps were kind enough to set the last few locks for us.  The underground section was more tricky that usual as it is a construction site and covered in scaffolding. Even less room than usual.   So, after reaching the top, and taking water, we moored up on the wharfside at Cambrian Wharf.  We like this mooring.   It is just out of the main waterway, away from the central bars and opposite the lock keepers office.   It is also 14 days.   Apart from the nearby "Flapper" bar at the weekends it is quiet.   There is a small convenience store reached round the back of the bar.

Polesworth

Had an uneventful run to Atherstone this morning if one ignores the door that got stuck our bow somewhere and only brought to our attention by an opposite direction boater.  However at Atherstone we found ourselves at the end of a 4 boat queue holding ourselves off the line of moored boats. Pat took the opportunity to nip to the shops and  eventualy our turn came.  However at each lock pound we found ourselves second in the pound behind the preceeding boat and this continued all the way with lots of waiting for opposite direction traffic.   We arrived at the top at 11:00 and left the bottom at 15:30.   We have done Hatton faster - in fact had we gone that way we would now be in Birmingham - not that speed was an issue.   One thing struck me today and that is the grass verge on the towpath, all neatly cut in house by BW.   So why is BW South having so much trouble looking after its verges?
We are now mored at Polesworth - a well maintained mooring.

Sutton Stop

Several long term deferred maintenance problems for British Waterways were demonstrated today.  Firstly the landslip at Brunston Tunnel, worse this week than a year ago.   Secondly and thirdly,two accommodation bridges on the North Oxford, on of which was looking bad a year ago but today looked far worse.  Or perhaps are the bridges the reponsibility of the farmer?

We set ff at 7.30. Pat mostly works ahead and so comes into more contact with other boaters, either pposite directionor ones that we catch up with or are following. Todays batch, she reported, were both inexperienced and ignorant.  Opening bottom paddles with top paddles up and gates still open for example.   We took on some water at Braunston Toll House, then onwards to Rugby.   Lots of traffic on the N Oxford, though we were fortunate at Hillmorton.   We wanted to visit the supermarket at Rgby, but there was nowhere to moor suitable for our disabled passenger.  In the end we backed up to the footings of the footbridge by the water point.  We are trying to gain a day in our plan, so went on the Hawkesbury Junction.  Amost no moorings left there either!

Braunston

Yesterday evening, in the Boat, we chanced on a group of walkers attempting 40 miles along the towpath for a charity event.  They had started at Tring that morning and they were walking like cripples.   One of their obstacles, apart from the distance had be the appalling state of the towpath between Cosgrove and Bugbrooke.  The grass and weeds were over 4 feet high and they said that they had really needed machetes to make easier progress.  Evidently BW must be making economies, but these surely are false.  The cost of getting this under control must be more.
Overnight there was a violent thunderstorm with heavy rain but I was pleased to see that no water had entered the engine bay or side lockers.   Good job I had cleaned the drainage channels the day before.
The day was pleasant enough but marred by a very strong wind making keeping a course difficult between gaps in the hedges and by moored boats.  Increase in speed was needed to keep control.   We decided to stop at Whilton Chandlery for a precautionary pump out.  Then we moved across the cut to have a quick lunch before starting off again.   Whilst waiting a boater moored behind asked if we were going up and could be join us.  Once in the lock together we found out that the other boaters were total novices.   They had literally just taken delivery of the boat!  So there was a steep learning curve for them made very much worse by the wind.  In the second pound he got blown onto the offside and picked up a great deal of weed leading to little propulsive power and pretty well no steering.  Clearly a visit to the weed hatch was needed but he didn't seem to know what that was.  We had a look together and found it - a dry type with four bolts and standard nuts.   He had no tools, having just got the boat.   I have to take my hat off to the guy.  Once clued up he was down there and produced handfuls of weed in no time.   Proceeding on up the flight the wind was obviously giving him a lot of trouble and in the last pound at a particularly exposed section he got blown onto the towpaths side and seemed particularly stuck.   Waiting in the top lock for him we reluctantly decided to go on as we were then delaying other boaters.
Braunston Tunnel has been subject to another landslip at the other end and passage for broad beam boats was now impossible.   We were informed that whilst wet conditions persisted, the bank was too unstable for BW to get onto it to rectify the situation.  In reality, this is not insuperable but must be down to money.
We stopped for the night above the top lock.  No TV, No phone signal.

Stoke Bruerne

It was raining this morning. Pat needed a few last minute items, so we stopped at Wolverton.  The access if via a high metal staircase and mooring rings have been placed on the keyside by the new residential development there.  The canal is running in a canyon overlooked by the massive apartment building(s) on one side and the old railway carriage works on the other.   Used the time while Pat visited Sainsbury to remove some plastic bags from the propellor.   Cosgrove Lock was open for us and we were welcomed by the crew of a small fibreglass cruiser already in the lock and worried about getting a scratch.  I was politely asked to use a rope!    The cruise to the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight was used to cook a massive cholesterol laden breakfast which tested the smoke alarm.   Waiting at the bottom of the flight we were joined by Brian and guests, on Yallambie .   So a very pleasant and sociable hour and a bit was spent slowy climbing the flight dodging the opposite direction traffic and waiting for the aforementioned cruiser to clear ahead of us.   The rain had stopped in the meantime and we were lucky to find a mooring with decent TV possibilities.

Great Linford

We have arrived at Great Linford.  Milton Keynes.    Exiting traffic at Linslade Lock gave us a quick locking, but further on at Three Locks Pat needed to fill all of them.   We adopted our usual plan for her to go ahead, open a gate for me, then walk round and secure the opposite gate which will always open due to the piston effect of the boat entering the lock.   I close my gate and then we both walk forward to open our respective bottom paddles.   The boat has been secured to a rear bollard to stop it running forward.   Pat then goes on to prep the next lock while I switch the rope to a centre bollard to stop it running back onto the cill.   When the lock is ready, the opposite paddle is closed and one gate opened and its paddle dropped ready for me to rope the boat out.   If you get the timing right you can close the gate as the boat moves slowly by under its inertia, then walk down the steps and step aboard.

The adjacent pub looks a real mess still.  The "garden" is just a mass of tall weeds, the buildings need a coat of paint and the inside is basic to say the least.   Last time we were here, we had one pint and made a quick exit.  Seems such a shame for this prime location.  In contrast, Stoke Hammod Lock is beautifully maintained with cut grass and flowers.  I noticed that this lock garden is sponsored by Wyvern Shipping  - good for them.    Could not other locks be similarly sponsored?

Leighton Buzzard

An easy one lock and short 1 hour cruise to Leighton Buzzard where we were fortnate to get one of the three visitor moorings near Tesco's store.   There is a lovely stainless steel water point there, but it is not connected.  The real water point is by the sanitary station on the other side of the bridge.   Michael nipped home to get the post and check the garden.  Tomorrow we hope to make Great Linford.

Leighton Buzzard

An easy one lock and short 1 hour cruise to Leighton Buzzard where we were fortunate to get one of the three visitor moorings near Tesco's store.   There is a lovely stainless steel water point there, but it is not connected.  The real water point is by the sanitary station on the other side of the bridge.   Michael nipped home to get the post and check the garden.  Tomorrow we hope to make Great Linford.

Over the Hill

Thus far we have been slowly climbing the Chiltern Escarpment.  Today we reached the top at the Tring summit and descended the steeper section down to Marsworth which we reached by lunchtime.   The day had started with fine rain, but the weather soon cleared although remaining cloudy.    We were very much slow off the mark this morning.   Three Wyvern Shipping boats passed having been previously moored two locks down by the pub.  I recognised them from Bruce Napier's blog as the Incite, Team Building exercise.  Every Wednesday the three boats do Berkhamsted to Leighton Buzzard. They were followed immediately by two boats, one the lone boater from yesterday and the other a private boat not known to us.   Becoming tail end Charlie we were going to have a hard time of it turning all the locks round - and possibly held up by the last two boats.    Well the Wyvern Boats just disappeared of course and so did the others and we settled down to a steady pace alternating with waits for several opposite direction boats.  We were receiving reports from them of the high pressure passage of the Wyvern three with the crew running madly about shouting orders.  Once over the top things speeded up considerably and we stopped short of Grove Lock - our initial objective - as the mooring there is not spectacular and the clean piling below Church Lock was very inviting. 

Church Lock, from the mooring

Pat's Kitchen

Berkhamsted

We set off at 7:40.   The first three locks we were alone, but at Grove top lock we met up with Malcolm and Jane on Court Jester  and continued with them until Berkhamsted.   We quickly estalished the sort of unspoken organised way of working as you do with experienced boaters .  However our progress was marred below Apsley by a rather disorganised single-hander ahead of us.   The boat roof was too cluttered to work single handed in my view and she was not roping the boat in the locks and couldn't understand why it was going all over the place.   After Apsley, another single hander elected to let us go first - he was in no hurry to be anywhere.    Found a good mooring nearly opposite Castle Wharf (near the pubs!).   Castle Wharf looks very derelict now. The dispute over residential development there has been going on for ages, but I understand it is to remain a wharf.   Let's hope it can be restored attractively.

The derelict Castle Wharf

Setting off for Saul

We did our usual early start to miss the London Traffic, then a good bit of rearranging in the boat.  Crew of three.  Pat, Mike and Miriam (aka Grannie).   Must have left something in the waste bin because it stinks.   Also noticed that the grommet/ deck seal for the newest solar panel had broken loose.   We finally set off at 8:15 to find all the locks against us.   No rush though.   Stopped at TESCO Ricky for the inevitable food shop, then just below Lot Mead Lock for lunch.  This didn't take long because we saw a boat coming down, so signalled to them to leave the gates for us.   Our only easy lock of the day.    Quite a few boats moving, but no hold-ups.   We then decided to stop at the Grove rather than carry on to give me time to deal with a few boat jobs including the aformentioned grommet.   This is quite a popular spot to moor.   It's open views of the fields, golf course and hotel on the hill together with the historic Grove Bridge make it pleasant and it is quiet!

Got the TV aerial up with a good digital freeviewfrom the Hemel transmitter and 3G Vodafone for the internet.   Can't be bad.

Sunday Lunch at the Malt Shovel

By special request a day out was arranged for Gemma and Chloe.  Reaching the boat at around 9.am we dawdled off, stopping by nb Serenity for a chat with our old mooring neighbour, Peter.    In no hurry we were able to stop at Uxbridge Boat Centre this time (open 11 - 4 on Sundays) to get the replacement window and seals for the stove door glass.   Then on to Cowley.   The lock was waiting for us, as was a cruiser waiiting to come up.  There was half a boat length available on the end of the visitor mooring, so we took that after winding and went and enjoyed a good lunch at the nearby pub.

Returning, the weather had turned quite hot.  Uxbridge Lock was the usual problem needing to be turned.  A long term apparently unlicenced boat was on the end of the lock mooring and the vicious bywash spewing water out in the centre of the remaining length.  The only way to get ashore to work the lock is to run the boat right into the angle of the gate under the bridge and then leave it in gear with the rudder lashed.   With all this, by the time we had closed the gates and opened the paddles there was a boat behind.   I enquired if they were continuing on with the intention of waiting at Denham but Dragonfly was winding ahead of us so we went up with them.   Half and hour later we were at the marina.

Paddington Basin

There had been a stone throwing incident last evening against the first of the boats in line - Stewkey Blue.  No serious damage.  The purpetrators were behind a high railing fence on the other side of the canal.  The police were informed, I was told.

This morning, the water was clear enough to see shoals of small fish by the boat.  Promise of a sunny day ahead.  Left my companions at about 8:30 and the only incidents were a plastic bag on the prop causing severe vibration and later, at Old Oak a broad beam in the wrong position on a bend got himself aground in the bushes on the opposite side by trying to avoid me too enthusiastically.   Picked up some coal and diesel from Archimedes and Ara at Little Venice and found a mooring in the basin under the wall of the hospital.   Quite a strong wind blowing now.

Willowtree (again)

With the success of the last CUTWEB Barbeque here, I thought that it would be a suitable spot to break the journey to Little Venice.  So... leaving the overnight mooring at 7:20 and finding Denham Deep Lock with top gates open was a good start.   A stop at Tesco Bulls Bridge for last minute shopping broke the journey and Willowtreewas reached at 12:00.      The set about some rust prevention.   The area around the Houdini Hatch requires special attention.   However, had hardly scrpaped the rust off when Minihaha and Stewky Blue arrived.  So it was chairs out and cooled white wine served before one could shake a cat. Lovely weather with hazy sunshine.   Ideal for sitting out and this is certainly a lovely spot.

Denham Country Park

A really eventful day!   Set off late this morning as I needed to prepare the evening meal in advance for the slow cooker - takes about 60W so is good to use when cruising.  Put the kettle on and had a cup of coffee whilst waiting for Ironbridge Lock to fill.  The boat moored above the lock overnight was having difficuly winding in the mud to return down so I used the weir stream (less mud) and joined Ian and Chris ( "Knot on Call" ) who kindly waited.  They were only going for a pump out at Bridgewater Boats so went ahead to set Cassio Lock.  As I arrived, slowly fortunately, I found that I had no power.  The throttle cable had broken.  Ian took my boat in charge and with me dismantling the Morse Control deposited me on the lower landing with a spare which he luckily carried.  It took an hour to fit with the promise that I would buy two at Harefield and leave one there for him to pick up tomorrow when he returns.  What luck eh!  By now, being bank holiday weekend, it was busy.   Boats everywhere.  I continued with a constantly altering lock partner.   At Coppermill, the day boat "Lovelyjob" with an inebriated rather rowdy crew on board got themselves jammed broadside on to the protecting barrier at the head of the weir stream and couldn't get off.  It took two of us helping including "Condor" who eventualy gave tow.  The three boats then continued to Widewater where we all parted company.   Mooring tonight at Denham Country Park.  The casserole was very tasty.

Denham Country Park

A really eventful day! Set off late this morning as I needed to prepare the evening meal in advance for the slow cooker - takes about 60W so is good to use when cruising. Put the kettle on and had a cup of coffee whilst waiting for Ironbridge Lock to fill. The boat moored above the lock overnight was having difficuly winding in the mud to return down so I used the weir stream (less mud) and joined Ian and Chris ( "Knot on Call" ) who kindly waited. They were only going for a pump out at Bridgewater Boats so went ahead to set Cassio Lock. As I arrived, slowly fortunately, I found that I had no power. The throttle cable had broken. Ian took my boat in charge and with me dismantling the Morse Control deposited me on the lower landing with a spare which he luckily carried. It took an hour to fit with the promise that I would buy two at Harefield and leave one there for him to pick up tomorrow when he returns. What luck eh! By now, being bank holiday weekend, it was busy. Boats everywhere. I continued with a constantly altering lock partner. At Coppermill, the day boat "Lovelyjob" with an inebriated rather rowdy crew on board got themselves jammed broadside on to the protecting barrier at the head of the weir stream and couldn't get off. It took two of us helping including "Condor" who eventualy gave tow. The three boats then continued to Widewater where we all parted company. Mooring tonight at Denham Country Park. The casserole was very tasty.