A leisurely 3 hours.

I woke up this morning to find a nice bright dry day, after breakfast I went on deck to survey my surroundings and saw that the boat behind me had come adrift at the bow and was about four feet off the bank held only at the stern, I could see it’s pin, attached to the mooring line, hanging in the water, the ground along the towpath is soft here, so I went and put my boots on pulled the boat to the side and began hammering the pin back in when a voice said “thank you”, I hadn’t thought there was anyone aboard but there was, I had a quick chat with the young lady who was pleased I had re-secured her boat before heading back to my boat and preparing myself to move on.

It was lovely and sunny but quite chilly in the wind as I cruised up to the first of the two Cassiobury Park locks (75 & 76) and whilst setting it I was happy to see a boat just going into the second lock, heading my way, that meant we could both leave the gates open for each other and pass in the pound between the locks, a good start.

Swapping locks, I am just going in the lock he vacated.

As I was dealing with the second lock I noticed another boat entering the first going my way, so I thought I would wait for it at the next lock and share, however as I was cruising along a holiday boat moved off in front of me so I was able to share with them instead.

Following the hire boat, my lock partners for the trip.

From then on life was easy, not only did the hirer’s set the locks and tell me to stay aboard but the crew from the boat behind arrived at each lock just as we were ready to leave and opened both bottom gates for us, and that meant I didn't have to do the usual closing of the gates either, ‘twas a doddle J

Gates opening, time to leave.

Passing the permit holder moorings at Batchworth this boat had more water inside than anyone wants, I expect the next course of action will either be re-float it or remove it depending on the ownership and licensing situation.

Rather forlorn looking vessel.

As we entered Batchworth lock (81) the hirer’s told me they were stopping at Tesco just ahead and I said I was stopping to moor up myself , so that’s what happened, the vsitor moorings were quite busy but I found one space so I am back in Rickmansworth opposite Tesco probably using the same mooring rings as I did last time I was here just facing the other way!

Mooring:

Totals:  4.5 miles : 7 locks

I am staying here until Friday to sort out a few things before moving on and putting the boat back into the marina at Harefield for a few nights again.