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.