Packet Boat Marina

Sunday 05 October 2014 – Packet Boat Marina, Grand Union Canal

The race was preceded by about an hour of ‘talking heads’ then nearly didn’t happen (typhoon Phanfone is due to hit) but did start although behind the safety car for 8 laps.  The F1 scoring system is interesting – if the race completes 2 laps then the points are half of normal, if they then complete 70% of the race (40 out of 53 laps in this race) then full points are awarded.  There is no overtaking while the safety car is out but once it went back in the cars were raced although initially there was so much spray thrown up it was difficult to see them.  The safety car was back out after an accident and the rain coming back and it remained out until at lap 45 the race was ‘red flagged’ and stopped with drivers getting points on where they were.

Back to a slightly slower vehicle, I was very reluctant to start out in heavy mist – almost impossible to see the front of the boat.  Eventually it cleared by 10:00 and I headed off and by the time I reached Denham Deep lock the sun was out in full with blue skies which have remained all day.  Tomorrow I will have to go into the office to collect the new electric card for my mooring as they have been changed while I’ve been away.

Widewater

Saturday 04 October 2014 – Widewater, Grand Union Canal

I spoke too soon.  The weather has been atrocious – it started raining just after I had started out and by the time I got to Batchworth (only two miles) I was soaked through.  I moored alongside Tesco and took the opportunity to change into my Rohan waterproofs which meant that at least I remained dry in the rain.  Then a quick run round the shop to get a newspaper and some basics.  Again there were no other boats to link with so I decided to moor here at Widewater.  I have tuned in the TV ready for the Japanese round of F1 at 06:00 tomorrow.

Cassiobury Park

Friday 03 October 2014 – Cassiobury Park, Grand Union Canal

Started today at 07:45 and had a quiet run down to here, although going down locks is slow when they are all against you due to them having to be left empty with a paddle up.  I had planned to go on to Batchworth but as I was on my own with no-one to link up with I felt I’d had enough when I got here.  I am inside the M25 ring so not much further to go.  The weather continues warm and sunny once the early morning clouds have been burned off and the blue skies appear.

hemel Hempstead

Thursday 02 October 2014 – Hemel Hempstead, Grand Union Canal

Forgot to put that when mooring up last night I managed to drop one of my mooring chains into the canal – thank goodness for “Sea Searcher Magnets” which allowed me to recover it, but it wasn’t where it had gone into the water but about 5 foot away!!

Today I started at 08:00and initially was on my own but after three locks I met up with ‘Pathfinder No 2’ of the Gas, Light and Coke Company of Windermere.  We then went on down through the next five locks to Winkwell where they stopped at ‘The Three Horseshoes’ pub but operated the swing bridge for me.  At the next lock were three guys out for a trip and that got me down to Boxmoor lock where I have moored so I could have a quick trip into the town to sort out a few financial matters.

The weather has been gloriously sunny all day – definitely vest weather.

Berkhamsted

Wednesday 01 October 2014 – Berkhamsted, Grand Union Canal

Started at 09:00 as I needed to go into Cowroast Marina to refuel then fill the water tank.  Now on the final run as from here it is all downhill to Uxbridge, although there are more locks than miles to go and there are long stretches of moored boats which slows the journey.  I am in the area where locks have to be left empty so they take time as I have to fill them, then get Ice Breaker in, then empty them and get the boat out and close the gate behind me (although most of the boats and definitely the wide beams don’t seem to bother with that last bit).  I’ve only covered 3 miles but 8 locks and there has only been three boats going the other way.

One exceptionally grumpy dog walker today.  As you do you look around at what is going on while a lock fills and this dog walker asked “what’s the problem mate?”, when I replied nothing he then snarled “well what the f%*k are you staring at me for then?”.  I said I wasn’t, I was admiring your dog to which I got the reply “well f%*king don’t” as he went off along the towpath which was fortunate for me as I could go nowhere.  At the next lock my confidence in decent humans was restored when another dog walker opened the gates and closed them after I’d gone through.

Another lovely sunny day with a gorgeous red sky tonight!

Tring Summit

Tuesday 30 September 2014 – Tring Summit, Grand Union Canal

I was unable to free the chain so I have removed the two rings and kept them and will replace the chain itself.  I you want to try it is opposite the blocks of flats near the building materials yard.

Started out at 08:00 with the work on the locks on my own – I have been taking photos of the locks, buildings and towpaths to try to identify the scenes in the film ‘The Bargee’ which starred Harry H Corbett and Ronny Barker as the crew of a working pair going from Brentford to Birmingham.  Some of the locations I had already identified (Slough Arm, Cassiobury Locks) but was trying to get others.  I know there has been rebuilding since the 1960s but the lock’s layout and the buildings may still show what was there.

The trip was uneventful until I reached the Seabrook Swing Bridge when a kind walker opened it as I approached then closed it after me.

The run up the Marsworth flight was slow but at the top there were no free moorings before the bridge then no space on the visitor moorings so I continued through the Tring Cutting.

The weather has been sunny all day.