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.