Rediscovery Cruise: Day 18

The last time we did exactly this day’s journey back in 2014, everything seemed to take a long time.  It was similar today — although possibly for different reasons.  Last time we had hold ups at several locks; this time there are just far more moored boats around, so everything is slower.  We set off at 8.30 in more sunshine.  At the second lock, Black Jack’s Lock, a boat was just coming out.  The B&B there is now also a cafe and a store.  At the next lock, Copper Mill, we thought our luck was in again, as a couple of boats appeared to be coming down.  In reality, though, they were filling their water tanks and said they’d be half an hour.  We didn’t really think that blocking the navigation for half an hour was on (and as they were two liveaboard boats we also didn’t think they’d only be half an hour).  In their defence, there was a boat moored on what should be the water point, and they did eventually agree to come down and slot into the space behind him.  All this took a while, but we eventually got up the lock.  Stocker’s Lock has another of the attractive lock cottages, which all have another floor below the one on the lock side.

Above the lock, on the stretch in to Rickmansworth, what we assume is a former lifeboat was moored up.  We’re Used to seeing the yellow or orange ones from oil rigs, but this one was far bigger.

We stopped at the Tesco in Rickmansworth which has its own mooring.  While Adrian went to do the shopping, I went down the weed hatch as the rudder had been juddering at anything much faster than tickover.  I unwrapped from the prop shaft a range of plastic bags, fabric, braid, and assorted bits of hard plastic.  Tesco even has a handy bin on the moorings to put it all in.

At Batchworth Lock there’s an arm on the left with its own lock, up to what are now moorings.  There are some very big boats moored above the main lock.

We’ve seen a number of widebeams on the move today, all seemingly having done their weekly trip to the water point.  There was one coming out of Cassio Bridge Lock when we got there.  The lock cottage there is less well kept.  Behind it, there are massive earth works although I’m not sure what they’re for.

At Iron Bridge Lock, which is in the middle of Cassiobury Park, we appeared to be providing the Sunday afternoon entertainment for most of the population of Watford.  Both lock sides were lined with people, as was the bridge at the tail end of the lock.

We did the two Cassiobury Park Locks, then aimed for a mooring at Grove Ornamental Bridge.  Just as we got to the bridge a massive widebeam appeared, necessitating a reverse on our part.  The steerer said his boat steered in reverse like a block of flats.  We wondered why a suitable mooring was immediately available, and it turned out to be because you can’t get close to the edge there.  We went past a few moored boats and found a spot a little further along.  It was only 3.30 but we felt we’d had a long enough day.

10 miles, 12 locks. (256 miles, 138 locks)

Home Counties Cruise: Day 19

 There was rain in the night, and just as we were thinking of getting going this morning there was another downpour.  However, fifteen minutes later it had stopped, and we set off at just after 8am.  It was still a bit misty and drizzly.

The first few locks were done in similar conditions.  Then it began to rain a bit more, and I even put my waterproof on for about half an hour.  Then we swapped with a boat at Springwell Lock, and the lady on board said it was supposed to have stopped raining by now;  within a couple of minutes it had stopped, and the sun came out.

Below Stocker's Lock I was looking out for one of the coal tax obelisks, marking the point twenty miles from central London where coal tax became due.  I'd spotted one on the Slough Arm a few weeks ago, but completely forgot to look for the ones on the Lee and the Thames.  I spotted this one, but it's not surprising I've not seen it before -- it's halfway down a long stretch of permanent moorings, hiden by a boat.  If you weren't looking for it, you wouldn't see it.

We stopped at the Tesco moorings in Rickmansworth for a quick shop, and got a wash load going at the same time.  Groups of children were being shown how locks work as we went up Batchworth Lock.  Lot Mead Lock took an age to fill, as both gate paddles are out of action.  Fortunately, it's a pretty place to wait.

Below Common Moor Lock the towpath is being improved, and the same workmen are putting in a new path on the offside, to serve the permanent moorers there.  We had to wait a long time for the lock as they were taking up a wide flat, to be filled with the aggregate that forms the base of the path. Once it was up it had to be bow hauled out; we had lunch while we waited.

The locks in Casiobury Park are all very pleasant -- even more so as it was now quite warm in the sunshine.

Just before we stopped for the day we passed a boat with a butty moored alongside, carrying a very nice store of wood.  The rest of the butty appears to be home to several birds of prey, and something of a greenhouse.

It was only about 3.15, but we'd reached our target for the day, Grove Ornamental Bridge.  We discussed carrying on, but neither of us could remember what potential moorings were ahead -- and thought we might end up having to do a lot more locks.  And as it was a day where most things seemed to have taken a long time, we decided to stop.  There was no space opposite the water mill, but we chose a spot just though the bridge.  In a field on one side a group were being put through an inflatable assault course; it appears the Grove Hotel and golf club offers a whole range of team building activities, of which this is one.

10 miles, 12 locks.  (235 miles, 155 locks)