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!