Leighton Buzzard

Wednesday 30 April 2014 – Leighton Buzzard, Grand Union Canal

A quiet run to Leighton Buzzard – I did not meet up with another boat so had the run to myself.  A couple of holiday boats and a working pair were all I saw going the other way.  At Grove Lock a widebeam had moored on the first two lock bollards so a bit of reversing was called for before I could tie up, some boaters are inconsiderate.

During the evening a canoe club went past, followed by a young novice under instruction from mum in another canoe and dad on the towpath, he seemed to be getting confused from the two sets of instructions as he kept going into the weeds.

A glorious sunny day with the sun hiding behind clouds only a couple of times, I was even down to “vest off” for part of the journey.

Kings Langley

Tuesday 15 April 2014 – Kings Langley, Grand Union Canal

A glorious sunny day with a late start and a run just to Kings Langley (11 lock-miles), there were only two boats going towards London (one was a Wyvern hire boat) and one other boat seen heading North perhaps more over the Easter weekend.  The non-hire boat had set all the locks for me so the run was even easier than usual. 

The next couple of weeks will be short cruising days as I need to stay within range of the railway for some meetings back in London.  It doesn’t feel like Spring as there is a definite feel of a late summer day – I hope the fine weather will last.

Seabrook, Grand Union canal

Tuesday 29 April 2014 - Seabrook, Grand Union Canal

What have I done for the last two weeks?  Moving slowly my first stop was Hemel Hempstead where I stopped over Easter.  On Good Friday there was an open air service in the town centre with a large turnout.  Sunday was at Hillside Church for their Sunrise Service followed by breakfast and a Morning service which was very informal with a guitarist and singers to lead.

This was followed by a move to Berkhamsted with another weekend spent not moving.  Sunday was a visit to the Baptist Church and a visit to the Kings Arms for lunch, taking the opportunity to advise that the arms displayed were incorrectly painted and in fact were Queen Anne’s!

Monday 28^th was a move on to Cowroast on the Tring Summit.  Then the start of the downhill run through the Marsworth Flight.  This was shared with a working boat Jules’s Fuels which included refuelling a boat going up in a lock!  Once through the Swing Bridge I have moored ready to face the Seabrook locks on the way to Leighton Buzzard.

I have spent time clearing out stuff that has been in the lockers since the boat was new and am trying to reduce the library.

Other Braidbar boats seen have been no 64 Nuggler at Berkhamsted and 106 Up Spirits on the Marsworth flight.

Weather has been changeable but predominately sunny with any rain overnight.

Cassiobury Park, Watford

Monday 14 April 2014 – Cassiobury Park, Grand Union Canal

Where to begin – nb Ice Breaker spent the winter safe in Packet Boat Marina near Uxbridge, allowing me to get on with boring things: routine health visits, time in the National Archives and visits to/from friends and family.  If you get a chance go to see the 39 Steps, done as a comedy drama with only 4 actors doing all the parts - no secrets to give away but thoroughly enjoyable.  I also got RCR to do a service prior to the new season.

Last week was the final (for the moment) prescription request and then last minute boat preparations - fill the water tank, pump-out, and refuel and we were ready to go.  Saturday was the start and a leisurely run to Harefield where the Horse and Barge pub has ceased trading (I couldn’t tell if this was permanent or not) with a decision to stay for Sunday as well.

The nearest church was St Mary’s CofE in Harefield and as I was early for the service took the opportunity to have a look at the ANZAC war memorials, No 1 Australian Hospital was based in Harefield during the Great War so there are the graves of those who died in the hospital all nicely laid out with a Formal Gate and Australian flag flying.  I also did the tourist bit around the building.  There has been a church on this site since the Domesday survey and it has kept some parts in spite of the Reformation and Civil Wars, like a lot of parish churches there are memorials to the local great and good.  There is even a carving of the Royal Arms surmounting a Bible.

As it was Palm Sunday they had their regular procession through the village visiting other denominations with Mike a real live donkey who was then brought into the church as part of the Service, and interesting point and brought the local children into the story.

Today a run to Cassiobury Park (Watford) with a bit of excitement at Stockers Lock, a film crew were setting up ready to do some filming at the lock and farm, rails had been laid for the cameras and people just standing around.  I was given permission to go through and was then accosted by Gongoozlers asking was I famous, I had to disappoint them.  They were filming a 1950s detective story and had some divers ready to go into the water so look out for an episode where a body is found in the canal.  I think it might be Father Brown as the detective is a priest.