And moving on again.......

......in front of a wide beam.

As you may have surmised from my previous post I wasn’t too impressed with my mooring choice, but it did for the night and the TV signal was more than good enough to watch Strictly for the last time, the TV will be almost redundant for a while now, Formula one has finished along with Strictly so it’ll be the news and the odd drama or film, anyway I set off this morning in search of better, actually I knew where I was heading, Cassiobury Park, I liked it there when I stopped previously.

So off I went around 10:15 passing beneath the now visible huge M25 Bridge.

The first lock of the day was not too far ahead North Grove lock 6’11” (71) and I was pleased again to find both top gates open so I could slide straight in.

The old lock keepers cottage looks quite cute, I’d love to see it from the other side but the owner probably wouldn’t like me wandering across the lawn to take a snap.

1881 this lock was built, I only know that because a lot of locks have the markings to tell you!

Here’s one of me leaving as well, you can tell I wasn’t rushing today J

I could not believe what happened next, I was just cruising around a slow bend in the canal and as I approached some moored boats I noticed a wide beam preparing to move off, they saw me approaching so held off moving and as I passed by it was the same couple I had sneaked in front of at Apsley, oh dear sorry, follow me again J

I did chat briefly to the lady at the next lock and she was very nice about it, I asked her if I had stolen her lock before and she said no, it had been left open all night by another boat.

The two Hunton Bridge locks (72/3) were next and I was now just trying to keep ahead of them so no pictures.

Under another ugly great beast of a bridge carrying the M25 again.

Ah but this one is much nicer, bridge 163 is a good example of a turnover bridge, this allowed the horse towing the boat to carry on without needing to be untied when the towpath changed sides, but it is on a sharp bend so you do need to look ahead across the field as you approach but this time of year you can see clearly.

And this one is equally pleasant, providing access to The Grove an 18^th century mansion on the hillside adjacent, sorry no picture of that I missed it.

Then as the canal bends sharply from side to side there are some nice houses and flats, lovely living here I would imagine.

As I entered the first of the two Cassiobury locks I could see a boat ahead going my way at the second lock, it was Jack again my locking mate and he waited at the lock for me to catch up and share. We only did that lock (76) and the next lock Iron Bridge Lock (77) together as we moored up shortly after but he had to moor a few hundred yards ahead as it was shallow in front of me,so maybe we will share some more locks tomorrow or Tuesday.

Totals today: 4miles : 7 locks

Tonight’s mooring:

Sweet and Sour chicken tonight, must remember to put the pineapple chunks in, I forgot last time and wondered why it didn’t taste as good as usual, it’s me age dearie.