Cowroast to Bulbourne

What a lovely start to a lovely day. I woke at 7:30 and the sun was attempting to get above the hedge line, first thing in the mornings on the boat are still quite chilly, so I had my breakfast and got dressed and went on deck, it was warmer there than inside so I sat up there with a cuppa, saying hello to the passing dog walkers, cyclists and early starting boaters as they cruised past, at 10 o’clock I was getting ready to cast off when Matt from the boat in front of me walked up, so we exchanged ideas and generally chatted for half an hour when I decided I had better get moving, so saying goodbye I cast off and entered my only lock of the day Cowroast lock (46) which was in my favour, then I topped up with water as I was leaving the lock and set off on the cruise to Bulbourne.

Residential Moorings at Cowroast

Nice little garden

It was warm and a delightful little lock free cruise towards Tring cutting.

Unusual DIY canopy !

A cutting is where they dig a route through the hill instead of installing numerous locks to go up and then down it. 

Tring Cutting approaching bridge 134

Tring Cutting

The sun was partially shielded by the cutting which is up to thirty foot deep and 1.5 miles long.



Imagine digging that out with a pickaxe and wheelbarrow, no machinery in those days.

The only noise I could hear was from the birdlife.

Moored temporarily at the summit.

I stopped at the summit and went to have a look at the view of the Chilterns, the camera doesn't do it justice, beautiful, with only one large blemish in the shape of a wind turbine.

Looking down at Quinquireme through the trees.

Setting off again I was soon at Bulbourne and had two mooring choices in mind, the first before bridge 133 was quite busy so I carried on and just after the bridge there was a nice sized gap at the beginning of the visitor moorings right outside the garden of the ‘Grand Junction Arms’ with rings to tie to as well, a nice bonus. It is glorious weather and the punters (adults and children) are enjoying refreshments and play. I opened a bottle of beer and went and said hello to the lady moored in front of me, she has a lovely little dog called ‘Monty’ who’s afraid of water.

Tonights Mooring.

Totals today: 3 Miles : 1 Lock