Packet Boat

Packet Boat Marina, GU / Slough Arm – Wednesday 05 June 2013

A lazy start – didn’t wake until 07:30 then by the time I was organised it was 10:00.  Removed everything off the roof, got out the hose and soft brush head and started washing the dust and grit off the boat.  When the roof and starboard sides were done I then removed the land power cable and winded the boat.  Then the port side was washed.  The power cable was re-installed but now runs over the roof of the boat as she is facing the opposite way.  Lots of stops as other boaters asked about my journey – it’s nice to be missed.  I have asked Maeve if I can go on the waiting list for an on-line mooring rather than one in the marina where the water doesn’t flow as readily.  By 15:00 I had finished so sat reading “The Dark Cloud” by Fred Hoyle.  Sci-Fi from 1957 where computers need thousands of valves and produce results on punched paper tape.  It has been very hot today.

Packet Boat

Packet Boat Marina, GU / Slough Arm – Tuesday 04 June 2013

First thing today was crossing the canal to moor up at TESCO.  Restocked larder etc and was ready to head off by 09:00.  No other boats were moving and a fairly uneventful run down.  At Black Jack’s lock I left the bottom gates open as a duck with 13 ducklings had swum in as I was leaving.

Just before Widewater lock there were half a dozen guys in wetsuits along with nets and a couple of large white square plastic bin.  They had been catching what looked like a large eel.  While I filled the lock they packed up and got into a powered punt, came to the lock and stayed watching!  When I was in they moved into the lock but one, at least, got out to help – from the badges on their shirts they were Environment Agency.  They went into the Marina.

When I was safely moored I went to the office to let them know then back to the boat and connect the shoreline (so I’m now on mains electricity).  Wednesday I’ll start cleaning the boat, inside and out.

This has been another sunny day – plane trails clear across the sky.

Batchworth

Batchworth, Grand Union Canal – Monday 03 June 2013

Start at 07:00 today in sunshine – there have only been a few clouds all day.  When I set off I soon passed “Abbie Louise” (yesterday’s companion) and Wyvern “Countess” (from Saturday).  No other boats were travelling so I did locks on my own.  At Nash Mills I took a couple of pictures showing where the new pedestrian bridge has been built.  And just past Red Lion lock I passed the community boat that the cadets were on yesterday.  At Hunton Bridge lock there is a for sale sign but it doesn’t appear to be for the ex lock-keeper’s cottage but rather for a tiny annexe!!

There was also a Canal & River Trust Notice stapled to the lock gates saying that “From 08:00 on Monday 3^rd June 2013 until 12:00 Monday 10^th June 2013 there was no mooring or stopping between bridges 162B and 166”.  It added that boats moored would be subject to enforcement.  It all sounded a bit draconian but at lock 73 some-one had put a notice up that had been addressed to “Dear Resident” which gave more details.  It appears that there is to be a “major residential conference” at the Grove Hotel next weekend and the local and county councils had consulted with the police and were closing the whole of the Grove estate as they were expecting protest groups!  C&RT should have stated that in their notice because without it it appeared that they were closing the footpath as part of the refurbishments they are carrying out.  The people I saw walking dogs didn’t appear to know anything about it.

At Bridge 170A there is a picture in the style of ‘Banksy’ of a deep sea diver complete in suit and helmet.  That quality graffiti would be more acceptable than the scrawled ‘tags’ that are everywhere.  I have finished opposite the Tesco store but all ‘shopper’ moorings were full so I will do shopping in the morning.

Two Waters

Two Waters (Hemel Hempstead), Grand Union Canal – Sunday 02 June 2013

I don’t normally want to travel at weekends, but I have three meetings next weekend so I am making the most of the weather.  Today has been sunny for most of the day but when the sun goes behind clouds it gets chilly (not quite fleece weather).  I started out at 08:00 and was passed by a boat of scouts or cadets, as they went past one of the adults said to the steerer “five minutes” – cryptic.  A bit further on I understood – they had moored for breakfast!  I was joined by another boat and we went on down together – having others certainly speeds up the run.  They stopped at Ravens Lane in Berkhamstead but caught me up at Winkwell.  There is a key operated swing bridge there.  They then stopped for a pint in the Fishery Inn (Boxmoor) while I went on to here to moor up having done 18 locks and 8 miles.

While moored they passed again going on to Apsley lock to meet up with family, yesterday’s Wyvern boat (from the Marsworth flight) also passed and called out (they are going to Watford and turning back as they have a one week hire) and this morning’s cadet boat went past.

Cowroast

Cowroast, Grand Union Canal – Saturday 01 June 2013

Shush!!  It rained early in the morning but had stopped by 07:00 when I was ready to leave.  It was cloudy and cold at first but by 11:00 the sun was out and has remained so for the day.  As I was setting off there was a family of Mandarin ducks I recognised them from his colouring.  At Slapton Lock (third of the day) I waited to let a following boat in – then it turned out it was a pair travelling together so I let them take the lock.  However; “one good turn” – they then set the following locks to empty after they had gone through so the three of us were making good time.  I joined up with a Wyvern boat at the Marsworth locks and they did all the work.  It is amazing how the light changes the perception of a place – last year I thought the Tring Summit Cutting was a depressing place (wind, rain and cold), today it was interesting with wild life and the sun sparkling on the different shades of green in the trees.

I am making good progress and hope to be in Packet Boat Marina by Wednesday of next week.