Springwell GU

Thursday 13 Oct 2011

Grand Union Canal south of Springwell lock.  Last night a boat moored near me with another ‘breasted up’ (tied alongside) that looked like a garden with lawn, shrubs etc then I noticed that in the middle was a hawk on a tree stump the owner said he had bought the second boat just for somewhere to put the bird, and yes, he added that he hunted with the hawk.  As I set out at 08:20 there was light rain but this had stopped by the time I got to Black Jack’s lock and the sun was out by Widewater lock.  There is then a long straight run to Denham Deep lock (about a mile and a half) and from here on seemed to be moored boats along both sides of the canal.  At Uxbridge lock there was assistance from a lady waiting at the bridge – no boat but she did have her windlass with her.  And at Cowley lock more help, this time from a holiday crew who were heading for the ‘Malt Shovel’ pub.  They seemed to enjoy working the lock, they were certainly enthusiastic.  Then on to Packet Boat Marina and after booking in with Reception I did a pump-out before going to my winter mooring.

Apsley GU

Tuesday 11 Oct 2011

Grand Union Canal south of Apsley.  A busy day – up early and away from “Ice Breaker” by 06:40 and a quick walk to Apsley station, train to Euston then Underground to Waterloo and walk to St Thomas’s for a blood test.  The journeys both there and back were uneventful but I was in the middle of the rush hour – YUK.  Back on board by 11:00 and ready to set off by 11:15 when “nb Dunravin” went past.  A lovely couple (Peter and Barbara) on board with a beautiful Samoyed called Gundor.  This made operating the locks relatively easy – I lead and set the next lock then after we have left the gates are closed by Barbara.  Just before lock 70 (Kings Langley Home Park) I thought I was seeing things as in amongst the bushes was the head of a Brontosaurus – sorry, we are supposed to call them Brachiosaurus now, anyway the veggie one with the long neck.  The park has a selection of dinosaurs dotted about.  Carrying on we passed Abbots Langley then at Cassiobury Park I moored up, “Dunravin” going on to Batchworth.

Wednesday 12 Oct 2011

On the Grand Union Canal at Cassiobury Park in Watford.  Started out at 08:45 and a good start to the day as heading towards Iron Bridge lock I found that it was in my favour and two boats heading up had seen me and got it ready, nice timing.  On to Cassio Bridge lock and before emptying it saw “nb Kindhearts” approaching so I waited for them, its always easier with two boats.  At Bridgewater Boatyard I topped up with fuel then we carried on down through the locks to Batchworth where there is a model narrow gauge canal (about 18inches wide) with radio controlled boats and working locks.  Unfortunately closed as it’s the end of season.  There is a Tesco supermarket with offside mooring and we moored up while “Kindhearts” did their weekly shop.  While we were in Stockers lock the crew of “nb Janet Grant”, a Braidbar boat came walking past.  Their boat is up at Poynton and they were down here on family reasons, Springwell lock was my last planned lock for the day so I moored up while “Kindhearts” went on.  Today have done 13 lockmiles with the same amount left for tomorrow when I will get to Packet Boat Marina.

Apsley GU

Monday 10 Oct 2011

Grand Union canal at Berkhamstead.  Started out at 09:00 and joined up with “Diamonds and Rust” another single handed boat heading towards winter mooring at Apsley.  A run of locks that had to be left empty with a paddle up so a wait while they filled then I led out to get the next one ready for us.  No problems at Winkwell ‘Swing’ bridge, this one is electronic and the control box is on the towpath side of the canal.  Smiles from two of the motorists but sour looks from the other three, ah well can’t please all.  Wanted to get diesel and “Diamonds” wanted a pump-out but the boatyard at Winkwell was shut according to a guy painting a boat.  On through the locks until Two Waters bridge where I went into B&Q to get a hose reel (without a hose), “Diamonds” waited for me and we continued down to Apsley, then I carried on to Bridge 156 and moored for the night.

Berkhamsted GU

Saturday 08 Oct 2011

Grand Union Canal at Cowroast Lock.  More rain in the night and the wind is almost back to normal English weather.  Started at 09:30 and the locks took about 30 minutes for each one as they were all empty and I had to wait while they filled before going in.  Lock 47, Dudswell, had to be left empty, the others probably had just leaked and drained overnight.  Again there were few boats out as I didn’t meet one until Berkhamsted Gaslock No 2, and they said there had been none in front of me either.  The water on this stretch is clear I could even see the ‘sacrificial anode’, this is a block of aluminium that corrodes instead of the steel of the hull due to the small electric charge that is generated between the brass of the propeller and the hull.  Through Berkhamsted and moored up just north of ‘Top Side Lock’ at the south side of town.  Then a walk back to the station as my rail-card needed renewing and as I returned I saw a ‘Goodyear’ dirigible cruising over the town.

Sunday 09 Oct 2011

Today I had no travelling, went to church in the morning – St Michael and All Angels the Sunnyside Parish church north of Bridge 143.  They describe the Service as ‘Friendly engaging modern worship style driven by video projectors.’  The means no Service sheet and no Hymn book as the words are up on a big screen.  The Service is also across the church as the minister was on a stage at the side although the building was a traditional village church.  However, it was well attended.  Afterwards went wandering around the town and along the towpath .

Linslade GU

Thursday 06 Oct 2011

At Linslade on the Grand Union Canal.  It had been raining during the night and the wind has not abated.  Started out at 09:15 intending to stick to the 14 ‘lock-miles’.  At Church Lock there is a horse trainer and there were three horses being exercised in a large field, just before the lock there is a covered ‘walk-way’ and last time I passed there were four horses walking round and round all in harnesses so they all had to keep moving.  No other moving boats seen until I had been through six locks at about 13:00 when there were four going towards Linslade.  I was through my last lock for the day by 14:30 and moored up.  The wind has been severe blowing the boat about and making steering difficult.  Twice as I was coming in to moor up prior to going to open the lock gates “Ice Breaker” was blown diagonally across the canal, at one point almost doing a complete U-turn.  That has practised my going aground skills, making use of the pole to push off and tying the stern rope to a bollard, having the engine in reverse and using the long centre line to pull the boat over to the towpath side again.  The wind ensured that I didn’t try to go any further.  There have been no moving boats in either direction other than the four seen earlier.

Friday 07 Oct 2011

At Great Seabrook, north of Marsworth, on the Grand Union Canal.  Again it has been raining during the night, but the wind has dropped.  Start out at 09:15 as there are only nine more ‘up-hill’ locks to go.  Just after starting there was a swing bridge to get past, I had got the bridge part open and was manoeuvring “Ice Breaker” into position when two runners came along the public footpath from the other side of the bridge and gave me assistance.  I was through Marsworth Lock 37 by 09:55 and just before the Marsworth Bridge there was a ‘chocolate box picture’ thatched cottage, with white walls and country garden flowers.  Then the junction with the Aylesbury Arm where ‘nb Molly’ from Red Bull Basin on the Macclesfield Canal and ‘nb Comet’ from Whaley Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal were moored together, made me feel quite nostalgic.  On through the Marsworth Locks and after Lock 44 I passed the first mobile boat which was a Wyvern hire boat.  Then the top lock and Bulbourne Junction where the Wendover Arm heads off.  According to the sign-post Braunston is 55miles and Brentford is 38 and a half miles.  Through the Tring cutting and although I had planned to moor at Bridge 135 I continued until I was out of the cutting as it was gloomy even though the sun was shining.  From here to London is ‘downhill’ all the way