Slough basin! What basin?

0 locks, and 15 miles . Now moored at Cowley Peachey

Another brilliant start to the day which we expected to be cold and frosty. The overnight frost didn't eventuate. As usual we had the canal to ourselves and due to the navigator misreading the chart's we missed the entrance to the Slough Arm. The Navigator thought it was just the marina entrance. Anyway we carried on to lock 89 where we winded and backtracked to the Slough arm entrance.

As we entered the arm we were confronted with Land and Water contractors who were trimming the overhanging tree's. We waited until it was convenient and they then let us pass. They had finished the north bank from the boatyard at Iver to the Packet Boat Marina at Cowley Peachey and were just starting on the south bank. It was a shame that they were not doing any dredging as they had a machine on site but they were only using it to extract logs from the canal. .

Land and Water Contractors.

As we passed the moored boats at Highline Yachting at Iver which were moored 3 abreast we could see the bottom of the canal and the moored boats barely had 3 inches of water under the hull. After we passed bridge 9 and the last winding hole before the end of the canal we also started to churn up the mud on the bottom until we reached bridge 10 then the water depth improved.

What a disappointment when we reached "The Basin", a bit of the old original wharf with mooring rings too high to be of any use and the winding hole. We felt that it wasn't even worth mooring up so we headed straight back to the mainline.

The end of the Slough Arm - what a disappointment.

By the time we got back to the Land and Water contractors they had progressed as far as bridge 3. I could think of a few places on the mainline that could do with some tree trimming and there would certainly be more boat movements on the mainline. Mind you, we were surprised on the return journey to pass 2 boats on their journey towards Slough. So perhaps there is more use made of the arm than we thought. Before we moored up for the night we seemed to be loosing power and it was no surprise initially to find a huge island of rubbish wrapped around the bow and after a trip down the weed hatch to extract a shopping bag full of industrial thickness plastic from the prop.

Now the trees are loosing their foliage we are starting to glimpse more of the bird life with 2 Woodpecker's and a Jay being spotted today.

807 locks, 1123.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Are we losing it?

Now moored at Bulls Bridge at Hayes

On Sunday British Summertime ended. Yeah we all know that, so on Sunday we set about putting back the clocks and watches. Later in the day we realised that we hadn't changed the weather station which has a built in clock and calendar. Well this is where we get confused, the clock was right and neither of us had changed it.

Now I know that computers are programmed to change automatically for British Summertime, but this is only a weather station. Bought cheaply last Christmas from a electronics store as a special and shop model as there were no instructions and packaging. Now between my son Brent and myself we managed to set it up and it is surprising how accurate it is. But what we didn't know or still don't really. Does it change automatically through radio waves?

Otherwise one of us is losing it! or both maybe!!!!

Looks like we are in for a frost overnight and we have to be up reasonably early tomorrow to continue our journey northwards. Forecast for the week is for a week of glorious autumn weather, aren't we lucky.

807 locks, 1108.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Au Revoir London.

10 locks, and 5 miles . Now moored at Bulls Bridge at Hayes

The weather forecast was for rain this morning but it must have cleared up before we arose, and there was brilliant sunshine on a fantastic autumn day. GREAT DAY FOR CRUISING. After nearly 2 months in and around London we started to head north after watering up and said our farewells to the lovely lady in the BW office.

New satellite dish sits nicely on the front of the cratch.

The first 2 locks were set in our favour which was great but after that it was all bad news. The only boat to pass us was a surprise as it was none other than Ian Birks and his good lady on Narrowboat Nobby. Anybody that reads Canal Boat magazine will know that Ian writes the gastronomical article in the magazine.

As we ascended the Hanwell flight up past the mental hospital we read the information board half way up the flight. It was interesting to read that the hospital or Asylum as it was known had it's own wharf where canal barges would deliver 25 tons of coal overnight. The coal was unloaded by hand by the boatman and his family or crew and they would then take on any spare fruit, vegetables or live stock that the Asylum had produced and take it to the market in London. The Asylum was basically self sufficient having it's own farm and orchard. The entrance into the asylum's wharf has now been bricked up.

807 locks, 1108.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Busy week-end.

Still moored at Brentford.

Saturday saw us catching a train to Wimbledon to see daughter Tracey to collect 2 parcels which Dot had ordered over the Internet. Recently she bought a pair of shoes from Cotton Traders and she found them so comfortable she bought 2 more pair. The other parcel was a 16 piece Corelle dinner set, we had got fed up with the Homebase stoneware set because it was so heavy and took up so much room in the cupboard. The only dis-appointment was that the Corelle mugs are no longer glass like the dishes but stoneware made in China ,not the USA where there rest of the stuff is made.

After we  had wined and dined at Tracey's favourite watering hole, the Walkabout in Wimbledon we went back to her flat so that I could put the battery back in her car. So that she could put some more power back into the battery she offered to drive us home.

Sunday was an early start for me to try and sort out the problem with the inverter losing power. When it was fitted we had a problem with the input cables as they are so thick they are hard to bend and the negative cable was not a snug fit. After studying the make up of the cupboard I worked out how I could remove the centre panel, cut a large hunk out of it and hopefully make it easier to get the cables into the rear of the inverter. Well it must be my lucky day because everything went to plan and the problem should now be fixed.

We have now been at Brentford our allowed 14 days so tomorrow we will head north in the morning, hopefully the rain will ease first.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

100+ TV channels.

Still moored at Brentford.

This morning Dot went to the hairdressers and I went off to try and solve an electrical problem without success so its back to the drawing board.

After lunch it was back to the satellite dish which I have mounted on the cratch centre post. I have had to move the headlight and I will have to re-mount it slightly lower. We also had to drill a hole through the front bulk head to feed the coaxial cable through. With the use of my favourite piece of curtain wire we managed to feed the cable through first time up which was a great relief. My part of the job was the easiest. Dot took it upon herself to set up the whole system which had her climbing up one wall across the ceiling and down the other side. The main problem was that the satellite box was set in German and she couldn't work out how to change it to English.

Eventually after searching through some Internet sites she managed to sort it all and we are now in a dilemma as to which channel to watch.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Trusleep is real sleep

Still moored at Brentford.

Our mattress from Trusleep proved to be very comfortable and it was great not having any springs digging into us. Today being wet and overcast meant a day indoors so we got out the satellite dish that we bought last week to see what is required to mount it. It came with various options but really there is only one that suits so I will have to get some bits to complete the job.

In the meantime Dot is crocheting a woollen blanket just in case we need one. We got through last winter OK but with all this climate change who knows what's around the corner.

Just in passing we read n/b Khayamanzi's blog recently and Andy was handing out bouquets and brickbats over boat yards level of customer service. We would like to add our bouquet for Clifton Cruisers at Rugby. We had the pleasure of dealing with Paul and his family and staff a few month's ago and they really know what customer service is. Nothing was too much trouble and no problem was insurmountable. I feel sure that we will use their services again.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Yippee they've arrived

Still moored at Brentford.

Fantastic service, our mattresses from Trusleep arrived this morning, ordered Monday afternoon and custom made - beat that.  I say mattresses plural as we have a crossover bed which originally had the mattress in two sections.  We have changed this to three, one large and two smaller ones which go at the foot of the bed.  Beautifully vacuum packed, memory foam.  We've had a test this afternoon but the "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" so the saying goes, in this case sleeping.  Results tomorrow!!

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Happy Birthday Brent

21+ ? years, sorry we can't be there with you but hope you have a happy birthday.

Just a few piccies.

Still moored at Brentford.

As nothing much has been happening around here in the last 2 days I thought I would post these shots of the roll up bridge in the Paddington Basin. As I mentioned once before the bridge doesn’t actually serve any great purpose because you can just as easily walk around the small basin which I don’t think has ever had a boat moored in it.

The bridge was being operated so that the underside of the wooden decking could be inspected. For all it’s uselessness I must admit the design is clever.

Dot has finally had enough of the inner spring mattress on our bed, it is only 4 years old and hasn’t had that much use but it’s falling apart. I don’t know who Heron’s supplier was but it must have been a real El Cheapo job. She has ordered a new Ortho 200 with 6” reflex foam and 2”memory foam mattress from Trusleep who make to measure and deliver within 48 hours. This mattress is supposed to be good for people with back problems. We shall see but it does come with 10 year guarantee. We have notified the office lady in the BW office what we have organised just in case the courier tries to deliver the mattress to their office.

Tomorrow night.........................ahhhhh snnnnnnnnnnnnnnzzzzzzzzz

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Kew revisited.

Still moored at Brentford.

Well it’s been another beautiful day here in Blighty. First of all we must pass on our condolences to the England rugby team! they didn’t stand a chance against the Boks. It wasn’t what I would call a good game of rugby as it was won solely on the boot of selected players. I like to see a good running game with tries being scored not rucks and mauls which the Boks are renowned for. Enough said.

Well as promised we set off for the Kew steam museum and arrived dead on opening time. Also to arrive were 5 members of the Velocette motorcycle owners club on 5 Velocette’s of various vintages all in pristine condition. Even the latest model had the traditional trade mark fish tail exhaust which these bikes are known by.

All the volunteers were present so everything was up and running including the Hunslet 0-4-0 narrow gauge steam loco. Due to the tight curvature of the end to end track the sole carriage has to be pulled so there is a diesel loco on one end and the Hunslet on the other. If they try to push the carriage it de-rails on the bends.

Inside the museum the displays covered anything from water storage and filtration to water pipes over the years and appliances that use water.

It was fascinating reading about wooden water pipes which were made from Elm tree trunks which were hollowed out by a huge Auger worked by either a water wheel, a horse, turning a geared apparatus by walking in circles or by hand. One end of the trunk was shaped like the sharp end of a pencil and the other had a metal insert so when the sharp end of 1 trunk was forced into the blunt end of another it created a reasonably water tight seal.

All the beam engines were in pristine working condition with shiny brass work and beautifully decorated paintwork as were all the other exhibits from small engines driving a belt shaft to the piston engines that you may have found in a ship. Outside in the yard is the lattice cast iron beam from the Hammersmith pump house weighing in at a mere 30 tons.

The Standpipe tower was amazing with 5 pipes extending up the tower which is 197 feet high. The pipes are 3 or 5 feet in diameter and made out of cast iron. The previous tower was an open wooden structure which due to being open to the elements caused the pipes to freeze and split in the winter of 1866. The present structure was built at the cost of ₤4802.6s and was opened the following year. You wouldn’t buy much for that price these days. Now the view from the top of the tower is reputed to not be as good as it used to be due to all the high rise apartment blocks being built all over London. Originally you could see as far as Crystal Palace. The stairs leading up the tower are an open wooden staircase up the side of the tower with a wooden landing about every 25 steps. There are 270 steps to the top with NO intermediate floors, just the small landings previously mentioned. The sign at the bottom of the stairs states that the stairs should not be attempted by anybody with high blood pressure or suffering from Vertigo. The tower is controlled by 2 gentlemen at the top and bottom of the tower. The bottom controller notifies the top man by radio every time a person starts to ascend the tower to ensure their safe arrival or in our case aborted attempt. We got up the first 4 flights but decided that enough was enough regardless of the view from the top, but we did try which many don’t.

The museum is a credit to the volunteers that run it and well worth a visit if you are in the district. Week-ends are best if you wish to see the beam engines in steam. Otherwise check it here.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Kew Steam Museum.

Still moored at Brentford.

Saturday morning and a clear blue sky was a good omen for another good day out.

The Kew steam museum was the planned destination for the day. As we were unsure of how far away it was we decided to catch the bus. It’s a long time since I rode up front on the top deck of a double decker but a good sight seeing perspective. The bus took less than 10 minutes to reach the museum stopping right outside. It was advertised that this week-end was to be a full steam working week-end with the static machine’s and the narrow gauge loco all operating. However due to a shortage of volunteer’s (probably due to the rugby world cup, typical) only the static machines were working. With this in mind we opted to return tomorrow in the hope that the narrow gauge loco will be in steam.

The museum site was built by the Grand Junction Water Works Co between 1836 and 1900 with the purpose of supplying mains water supply for the area. The museum boasts numerous Cornish engines namely an Easton and Amos, an 1820 Boulton and Watt, an 1846 Grand Junction 90 inch engine, this being the largest Cornish engine still in steam and a 1838 Maudsley.

Also on site is the Standpipe Tower (pictured) built in 1867.

The Cornish engines pumped water up the tower to create high pressure water mains. The tower is only open at certain times and its adults only. We will have to wait and see what tomorrow brings before we decide whether to climb the tower or not, the information sheet appears to allow 20 minutes for the round trip, up and down. I’m guessing at least 200 steps cos’ it’s a long way up.

We opted to walk back to Brentford along the Thames walk where we had a look at all the old boats moored up along the bank being used as house boats. There were also some abandoned sunken rusted hulls. The walk only took 20 minutes to reach the Brentford shops. As it was still relatively early we turned the boat around so that I could try and get some more painting done while the good weather holds out.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Somewhere different.

Still moored at Brentford.

Thursday was spent loafing around the boat with a trip into a different area of Brentford for a look around. Nothing worth talking about there I'm afraid.

Friday we caught the train to Hounslow to find the nearest "T" Mobile shop. Well the Network Southwest  trains must have been having problems because all the trains were showing delayed arrival times. Eventually after about a 30 minute  wait one train arrived and as luck would have it the destination was Hounslow, not the advertised destinations of Weybridge or Mortlake.  The latter 2 apparently just got cancelled without any warning.

We found the shopping centre where "T" Mobile were situated and in no time at all Dot was in possession of a new USB Modem. This unit is supposed to be better than the Datacard which we have used for the last 12 month's.  After a couple of hours window shopping we decided to catch the bus back to Brentford which dropped us right outside Somerfields so we could get a few bits and pieces before returning to the boat.

Photos show various angles at Brentford Lock and Marina.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

More weekend photos

 

Tracey's photo of the Houses of Parliament

MI6 Building on the River Thames

 

Day out

Yesterday while sitting in the boat we were aware of a boat moving nearby. When we checked, it turned out to be Peter on n/b' s Bletchley & Argos, the coal and diesel boats. We flagged him down and he pulled alongside and dispensed 150 litre's filling the tank and our reserve emergency cans. We now don't have any reason to leave here on Thursday as we had originally planned.

Today we took ourselves off to Wimbledon by train to have lunch with Tracey. It was also a chance for Dot to see where Tracey lives. While there we also had a look around for some retail therapy.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Organising.

Still moored at Brentford.

Monday morning was a hive of activity with Dot and Tony on the computer trying to arrange a motorhome for Mary and Tony to tour Britain for their final 10 days before returning to NZ.  Mary and I were superfluous to requirements except when wanting to confirm a location or agree with a decision. By 11am it was all sorted after ringing at least 10 different companies. It was a toss up between three different companies who tried to out do each other with their deals and offers.

A quick check on trains on the computer, where would we be without it and it was off to the station. After a few tears between the girls we waved them away on the 12.09 to Waterloo to start the final leg of their holiday.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing with a book and the TV which has now got freeview digibox attached so we can select more channels. About 4.30pm we received a text message to say that Mary and Tony were spending their first night in Guildford.

Tuesday and the day dawned wet and cloudy. Only light rain but enough to get you wet pretty quickly. We have been down to the facilities block for a good loooong hot shower and hair shampoo so we are now super squeaky clean. A quick cuppa coffee and we will head off into town and Somerfields to replenish the larder before heading North probably on Thursday.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Photos as promised.....

Tracey and Derek in Thames Lock ready to leave Limehouse Basin

Thames Lock at Limehouse - Ready , steady, GO

Brentford Thames Lock open to go straight through

A Life on the Ocean Waves.

3 locks, and 16 miles . Now moored at Brentford.

Wow, what an anniversary.  To celebrate our first year of living aboard Gypsy Rover we decided to travel from Limehouse  to Brentford through the centre of London, under Tower Bridge and past the houses of Parliament, and a great day weather wise as well.

Early this morning, 5.30 to be exact we were awoken by some brainless idiot who thought it a bit of a joke to walk along the full length of our roof. Unfortunately we couldn't get out of the boat quick enough to catch him.

As the morning wore on we had a beautiful clear blue sky which by lunchtime clouded over but was still warm. During the morning I  had to get the anchor out of the gas locker and make sure that I had everything handy should an emergency arise during the trip. After lunch I went down to the lock and watched as 3 cruisers were let out onto the Thames and spoke to the lock keeper about our scheduled departure. By the time we entered the lock there were 2 narrowboats and a widebeam, the latter was only going out onto the river for a short while with people working towards getting commercial licence's.

We had been told the first 20 minutes would be a bit bumpy but after that it would be fine. This turned out to be the best part of an hour before the water calmed. Going under Tower bridge we took the centre lift span just as a ferry catamaran decided to overtake us at speed throwing us around quite badly with his wash. What happened next defies all logic,the ferry just came to a dead stop because his jetty was already occupied. To me there was no need or reason for him to have blasted past us the way he did and then stop no more than a boats length ahead of us.

After this the trip settled down into a pleasant trip with the camera's being given a good work out by the rest of the crew. As we passed one pontoon full of moored boats a cruiser over took us at quite a bit more than the 8 knots speed limit. The skipper was duly yelled at by a gentleman on the pontoon to slow down, so it appears that speeding is not only restricted to the canals.

Arrival at Brentford was dead easy as the lock was fully open so we could pass straight through. Something the Lockkeeper said does not happen often, purely a matter of good timing. The lock keeper was a guy we have met many times at Brentford and on the Grand Union when he has been out on work parties. We exchanged a few quick pleasantries before heading off up to the gauging locks. We needed to get under the road bridge before the tide pushed the water level up too high to make it impassable.

In the Brentford basin we pulled onto the facilities moorings to fill up the water and put the anchor back into the gas locker. We won't be needing that for a while. The moorings were all full except one space right up by the overhanging storage shed but there was a sign on the fence stating "Winter Moorings Only". When I investigated the situation further it turns out that the visitor moorings are only the  first three spaces after the facilities mooring. These were full but they are supposed to allow other boats to breast up but who wants to breast up to unlicenced boats , I don't. The cheek of it right under BW's nose . So we have moored on the Winter Moorings space regardless.

Just on dusk another boat, n/b Lesley-Ann,  arrived in the basin and after fruitlessly searching for a mooring I suggested he breast up with us for the night. Now a wee dram is the order of the day to celebrate. 

Photos to follow tomorrow I promise.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

New Territory

12 locks, 8 miles and 2 Tunnels. Now moored at Limehouse Basin.

With Tony and Mary back on board after their European tour and Tracey visiting overnight we were all set to head off for Limehouse basin. With 5 aboard we had to stop off at the water point which took ages due to low water pressure. Tony was looking forward to having a crack at working the locks and of course a stint on the tiller which he mastered very quickly.

Off down the Regent's canal again we stopped mid stream to look and photograph some of the animals in London Zoo. There were quite a few boats on the move today which made locking a bit easier. Just past Old Ford lock we carried straight on this time and ventured into new territory consisting of 3 locks over about 1.5 miles.

Upon arrival at Limehouse there was not much space on the visitor moorings but we squeezed in on the end of the moorings. Over the next couple of hours 3 more narrowboats arrived via the river Lea and 1 via the Regent canal. Some of these have had to breast up to get a mooring.

New apartments overlooking Limehouse Basin

Once sorted I went and checked in with the harbour master who told me that there was 1 other narrowboat going to Brentford and a cruiser going to Teddington tomorrow so we will have company. We will be let out of the basin onto the river at 2pm or thereabouts.

Beautiful basin on a beautiful day, tomorrow is forecast fine, fingers crossed.

794 locks, 1087.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

What a day

13 locks, and 13.5 miles 2 Tunnels. Now moored at Paddington Basin.

Yesterday the first lock of the day should have been an electric lock but there was a sign saying "Out of Action" The other lock is all hydraulic and the previous vessel through had left everything open, gates and paddles. So I had to shut everything before I could fill the lock to even get into it. It took us over 40 minutes to get through the lock by which time I was absolutely knackered after winding the handle many hundreds of times.I needed a rest at the tiller before we got to the next lock.

As usual we had the river to ourselves so it was very quiet. The highlight of the trip, albeit being a sad occasion, was when we rounded a bend in the river and heard the sound of a band of some description playing what can only be described as calypso, happy music. Just as we were about to pass a block of flats I spotted a hearse and a beautiful white horse drawn hearse with 2 fully adorned white horse's. The funeral appeared to be for a Caribbean lady as the first hearse was full of floral tributes with one reading the word "Aunt". After sitting mid stream for the best part of 15 minutes watching the proceedings the funeral procession moved off and we did likewise.

It wasn't until we reached the Regents canal that we met other vessel's namely trip boats and the canal water bus. Other than a few fishermen fishing on lock moorings which I merely ignored and moored in front of them,there weren't too many people around. That was until we got to Hampstead lock. There was nobody taking much notice until I started to set the lock up and then people and camera's appeared from everywhere and it was standing room only all the way around the lock. I felt like taking a bow as we exited the lock.

We eventually arrived at Paddington basin around 4pm and even though we had been told by a moored boater near the canal museum that Paddington was full we found quite the opposite with at least 6 moorings available. This is the second time we have been given this information and we are convinced that local boaters tell visitors this deliberately to deter them from going there and thereby saving the moorings for themselves. Naughty, naughty.

782 locks, 1079.5 miles, 31 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Got to move on.

6 locks, and 8.5 miles. Now moored at Stonebridge lock on the Lea Navigation.

The day was overcast with a hint of drizzle but it was time to go as we have a rendezvous at Paddington basin on Friday.  We only met one cruiser on the move and had a quiet cruise down to our present mooring. At Ponders End lock we stopped to pick some apples. I had to use the fishing net again to shake the apples loose and catch them at the same time.

We now have a lovely big bowl of stewed apple to go with the pork, make a crumble pie and have some with the muesli in the morning. Lovely grub.

We saw BW workmen working on the lock where we are moored and it appears that the electric lock is out of action so we will have to use the manual lock in the morning and there is a pile of rubbish banked up against the gates. These locks are heavy enough without the added weight of rubbish to shift.

769 locks, 1066 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Rain stopped play.

Still moored at Cheshunt on the Lea Navigation.

The weather man got the forecast right with rain all day. We had made allowances for such an event so didn't have to travel today. Instead we caught up on a few jobs that had been waiting for such a rainy day.

I have had a look at the waterway map and worked out that we will visit canal's in the North West sector of the country next year. Hopefully this will cover the following canals, Coventry, Ashby, Birmingham & Fazely, Stratford upon Avon, rivers Severn & Avon, Staffs & Worcester, Worcester & Birmingham, the BCN, Grand Union North,Llangollen & Montgomery, Shropshire and Trent & Mersey.

Our travels next year will start earlier than they did this year  but of course weather and maintenance stoppages will dictate when and which order we will navigate them all. We also have not managed to get out on the Fens between Northampton and Cambridge and Bedford so we may back track at some stage to fit this area into the schedule.

763 locks, 1057.5 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Another lovely Autumn day

7 locks, and 6 miles. Now moored at Cheshunt on the Lea Navigation.

The day started with overcast skies but a warm temperature. The forecast was for 16deg's but I think that was surpassed. We were surprised by other boats being on the move including a BW work boat. This meant that most of the locks were set in our favour making for some good travelling times.

After mooring up we wandered into town to find Tesco's. First off we found Tesco's head office which wasn't much help but after a change of direction we found the Tesco Metro. There was a bit of a panic going on in the supermarket as the checkout machines were out of action but luckily by the time we had finished shopping they were up and running again.

Next to our moorings is a lovely park with a car park and toilet block. Unfortunately the building is all locked up with signs stating that the toilets are closed due to vandalism. This is the third such building that we have found in our travels that  have suffered this fate. Some little ratbags ruining things for everybody else and this gets me hot under the collar. Is society getting too soft on this sort of thing or are parenting skills sadly lacking.

763 locks, 1057.5 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Lovely Autumn Sunday.

10 locks, and 8.5 miles. Now moored at Roydon on the Stort Navigation.

The day was overcast but warm when we set off this morning. We only travelled  a short distance to Sawbridgeworth to begin with as we planned to stop and do some sight seeing around this very old town. There are information boards around the town giving details of things of interest in the street concerned. There is so much history going back to 1066 and a lot of history dating back to the 1200's. It was certainly educational reading the information boards. 

Roydon Mill apartments

The towns history with the Lee and Stort navigation's goes back to the mid 1800's when there was malthouses and granaries operating in the town but the roads or tracks were so bad that in winter it became impossible to move anything in or out of town due to flooding. The navigation was a blessing which opened up a whole new trade with London and beyond. Eventually of course the coming of the railway was the demise of the navigation but today it's primary purpose is flood control.

Lovely new towpaths on the River Stort

One of the very low bridges on the Stort

How low can you go? 

After a good look around we moved on not being quite sure how far we would travel because being a warm autumn day there were quite a few week-end boaters on the move. This actually worked in our favour with locks being set in our favour and with some of the other crews helping we made good time and travelled further than we expected.  Today we spotted our fourth grass snake swimming in the river.  A bit late in the season we would have thought.  Its amazing most people we have spoken to here have never seen a snake and in the last 6 months we have seen  four - amazing.

These squirrels are following us around

756 locks, 1051.5 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

B----r they blew it

7 locks, and 8 miles. Now moored at Lock 4 on the Stort Navigation.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!! The mighty All Blacks, the hot favourites, have been ousted by the French. Sacre bleu! Enough said.

Today we did a run up to Bishop Stortford to the river head waters where we stopped for short while to pick up supplies. The town is under going a major rebuild with a mall and apartment buildings being built around the city basin. We had been told by many people not to stay over night and from what we saw we were convinced with local youths using the BW facilities as a meeting place. Especially when a couple of them took an unhealthy interest in the value of the boat.

End of the line - Bishop Stortford on The Stort Navigation

As we are on a bit of a time schedule we headed back down river to our present mooring which is rural  but a bit noisy as we are under the flight path into Stanstead airport. At least there is a noise curfew so the planes don't go all night.

I had my usual fishing session which up until now has been totally hopeless having not caught a single fish on the river Lea or Stort. This afternoon my duck was broken with a small Jack Pike.

746 locks, 1043 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

No comparison.

11 locks, and 8 miles. Now moored at Sawbridgeworth on the Stort Navigation.

Last evening after the engine cooled down it was down the engine hole to service the engine once more. I also changed the air filter as well because the present filter had been in use for nearly 12 months and was starting to look like something out of a coal mine.

Leaving the River Lea this morning and joining the River Stort was a big change as the 2 rivers are as different as chalk and cheese. This river is a lot narrower and twists and winds its way towards Bishop Stortford. For a start off the locks are wide locks BUT only 13 feet wide so you cannot get 2 narrowboats in simultaneously. Two of them are electrically operated but the gates are smaller and lighter than those on the Lea so locking is a lot easier.

Its amazing what you see walking along the towpath, these  2 porkers seemed quite oblivious to our presence. These chickens seemed to be quite happy in their free range environment. The farmer can shift the hen houses when required as they are of lightweight construction.

Along the way, yesterday and today, we were treated to some amazing flying by a couple of radio controlled model aircraft. Yesterdays model was a delta wing aerobatic model which the pilot put through its paces with stalls, barrel rolls, loop the loop and some high speed flying. The pilot was no novice that was for real. Today's model was something  slower along the line of a Cessna which flew very realistically to the real thing.

We stopped at Harlow lock for lunch but after talking to another couple we moved on to our present mooring which was recommended as being a delightful village. So far we have not been over awed by the place but we will investigate the place closer.

739 locks, 1035 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Heading toward the River Stort

4 locks, and 6.5 miles. Now moored by Ryehouse Station on the Lea Navigation.

We had glorious weather this morning to visit Hertford museum and the township itself. The town is like walking back through a time warp as the city father's have shied away from demolish and rebuild. Many buildings have been refurbished to the style of the period of the original builder or era. It was great to see the various styles of architecture within this quaint town which reminded me of what towns in Hertfordshire were like back in the 50's & 60's.

Hertford Castle

Towpath at Folly bridge in Hertford.

The museum was small but informative with several aerial photographs of the town in earlier days. There was also an Egyptian display, fossilized bones found around the district and a police and prisoner display with an armband made of leather and copper that youths from a reform school had to wear when out and about in town.

 

Cheeky squirrel! 

It is with some sadness that we read tonight that Mike Stevens of Felis Catus III had passed away yesterday. We met Mike at Rugby about a month or so back (see here) and have read many of Mike's articles in various canal magazines and he will surely be missed on the cut. Our deepest sympathy's go out to his wife Wendy and family.

Tomorrow its on to the River Stort on our way to Bishops Stortford for the weekend.

728 locks, 1027 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

End of the run.

4 locks, and 6.5 miles. Now moored at Hertford on the Lea Navigation.

It was a misty morning when we started off this morning. There were a couple of other boats on the move one of which shared a lock with us. Unfortunately they were only going to Ware to do some shopping so we had to do the last 2 locks alone again. The locks and gates on the Lea Navigation are the biggest locks and heaviest gates we have struck to date. Unfortunately only 4 of the locks are electrically operated which make life easier. Part of the problem with the gates is the short balance beams which are offset to the gate.

When we reached the headwater of the river we winded and just squeezed in on the end of the 14 day moorings. A short walk and we found Tesco's to stock up before we attempt the river Stort.

Autumn's arrival?

724 locks, 1020.5 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Waltham Abbey

6 locks, and 6.5 miles. Now moored by Rye house station on the River Lea.

First job of the day was to go into town and visit Waltham Abbey and church founded by King Harold in 1066. We had been recommended to visit the Abbey by Geoff Cowan a follower of our blog who had been the organist at the church. We were quite lucky in that we had moored within a mile of the church. It turned out that today was also market day which was behind the church.

Upon setting foot in the church, the church verger,Ian Eaton met us and gave us a guided tour ( he also remembered Geoff). He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the church and the Abbey, the latter just being an outline of what had been the inner and outer walls. The church is the fourth church to stand on this site dating back to 700AD and is only a quarter of the size of the Abbey. When the church had under floor heating installed in the 1980's workers found wooden foundations dating back to the first church.

When Henry the eighth ordered the destruction of all the Catholic monasteries Waltham was the last to go as one of Henry's personal staff had family involved with the Abbey. Parishioners in the area petitioned the king to retain the original church which had been incorporated into the Abbey. The king granted their wish and the church was saved. The only problem was that the church tower was weakened when the Abbey was demolished and it collapsed probably due to the weight of the bells within the tower. A new wall was built with a beautiful stained glass window depicting the 7 days of Gods creation of man and beast.

The present tower was rebuilt at the opposite end of the church to help support that wall as somebody had removed 2 arch ways and windows were changed. Somebody wanted to try and recreate a Gothic look but in doing so weakened that end of the building. The tower was built from materials salvaged from the demolished Abbey.

Waltham Abbey was founded by King Harold in 1066 and his grave is shown below, now in the Abbey grounds but originally in the Abbey that was demolished.

The Abbey was founded by King Harold in 1066, his grave is in the Abbey grounds, originally it was in the part of the Abbey demolished.

After leaving the church we checked out the market for fresh veges before heading back to the boat. It was late morning before we got under way but as there are not many other boats on the move we had a long slow cruise as Dot had to shut both gates and paddles of most of the locks before we could enter. Why do these lazy so and so's even bother to cruise at all, they leave the hard work for someone else. During the last few days on this river we have found most of the 14 days moorings full of liveaboards who are obviously outstaying their visits. I know it is now October but there are genuine continuous cruisers such as ourselves that want to moor up too. British Waterways seems to be letting out more and more of the visitor moorings to winter moorers. Little Venice they were joustling for positions on the unmarked winter moorings and supposedly paying BW 1600 pounds for the winter privilege. Now you ask me! Where are we to go?

At Feilde's Weir lock we met 2 boats heading in the same direction as us but had stopped below the lock to water up. Just as we were about to leave the lock one of the crew on the boats below the lock came up and said to me " I hope you are not going to moor up by those other boats as that is my mooring " To this I replied " Your mooring? They are 14 day visitor moorings" To this he merely replied "Oh OK" and walked off. What a bloody cheek! Any way when I got to the mooring it wasn't that good so we pressed on to our present mooring which is much better.

720 locks, 1014 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Nature's bounty.

5 locks, and 7 miles.  Now moored at Waltham Abbey on the River Lea.

We started the day by drifting across the river to the water point opposite. While waiting for the tank to fill, it was pretty low, we had a late breakfast. The weather was not looking too brilliant but it was dry.

It was not long after we set off when we saw the local bus service depot. Behind the building was an assortment of old Routemasters and single deckers, one of which was an old Greenline bus that used to do the long distance country route's back in the 1960's. They brought back a few memories.

By the time we had travelled the first mile the rain arrived and steadily got worse. One ray of sunshine was an apple tree at Ponders End lock on the towpath. All the reachable apple's had been picked but it's amazing what you can do with a fishing landing net with an extendable handle. You can shake the apple's off and catch them at the same time. Stewed apple and custard for pudding tonight, yummee. There is still plenty left for tomorrow as well.

Not the most interesting of landscapes so far!

By the time we reached Waltham Abbey we decided we had done enough for the day and we had been welled drenched with the rain, enough is enough.

714 locks, 1007.5 miles, 29 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006