A move backwards.........

......before going forward.

Yesterday was moving day, before I could head off properly I needed to reverse back to the service point and fill the water tank etc. My boat doesn’t like going backwards, (none do) I like it even less, but it was only about five boat lengths and there was no wind so it went ok. While I was on the water point my neighbours walked past and said cheerio so that was good timing.

On the service point.

Once filled and emptied I set off through Apsley top lock (65), another leaky lock requiring the bottom paddles to be raised on exit to leave the lock empty, it was only a very short ½ mile to my first stop opposite B&Q and Travis Perkins where I bought some primer and a length of mopstick handrail to use as a boat pole, when I last used my pole it creaked badly and sounded like it was about to split and the sun on its very old surface has distorted its shape so it needed to go.

Convenient but still a bit of a walk to get to Travis Perkins by road.

Having got those things sorted I was off again through Boxmoor lock (64) passing St John the Evangelist Church sandwiched on the green between Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor’s cricket grounds.

I was then on the lookout for a suitable mooring to try for my mattress delivery again, I had two places in mind and the first wasn’t far away, although I wasn’t optimistic about there being a space I was pleased to see plenty of room when I arrived, opposite The Fishery Inn, with its car park directly opposite the moorings and a road bridge just ahead it should do nicely, so I pulled in and moored up. I’ve probably not moved far enough to satisfy the Canal and River Trust’s ‘rules’ but on this occasion I don’t care, I want my mattress!

Current mooring:

Totals : 1½ miles : 2 locks

Having moored up I phoned the supplier again, I spoke to the same girl who had taken the original order and delivery instructions and she could not understand how it had gone wrong, nor could I! Anyway I have given the new address etc. and been told to expect a call today to confirm everything...we’ll see.

I did a few bits of painting preparation on the bed base and the boat pole and then settled down to read on the Kindle. Thai green chicken curry (home made) for dinner, a bit of telly and another day passes.