Time to go.

A few trips to Sainsbury saw the provisions topped up, I decided to stay the weekend and let the weather brighten up a bit, I could also watch the highlights of the Canadian Grand Prix which was a walk in the park for Lewis Hamilton.

I have treated myself to a new Vax battery vacuum cleaner, there was nothing wrong with the old ‘Henry’ but it was pain getting out from the cupboard (it meant moving the rear steps) and having to run the engine during use and also it was quite bulky, the new one is a revelation, light, convenient and with 25 minutes of run time and 5 hours to recharge it would seem to be a good purchase (£120).

My son said he would have the old one for work and had arranged to collect it next Saturday, but it was a lovely surprise when he asked where I was yesterday and drove over with my Granddaughter  Hazel for a visit, we had a walk down to Apsley Marina and bought ice cream which went down well with Hazel, quite a lot down her clothes J

She'd had a choccy biscuit too, so looking a little more disheveled
 than when she arrived.

I also bought a new duvet set, I was baffled by the different types of pillow case names and had to ask what the different types were, I thought a pillow case was a pillow case!

I decided to move on today but on looking ahead to the service point I could see that a wide beam who had moored there overnight was still there, I wasn’t in a rush or desperate to move but he really should have moved on early, it was 10am when I noticed him preparing the lock for himself to leave so I decided I would still go, first I put a load of washing in the machine and then set off to do the usual empty and fill.

Having finished that and moved into the lock I could see a brested pair heading towards it, so on leaving I opened both bottom gates for them so they could go straight in.

Apsley middle lock (66)

The short run down to the next lock.

I had hoped the next lock which wasn’t far ahead would be in my favour as the brested pair had just come up but when I arrived another boat coming up had already started to turn the lock, so I tied up and helped him through before going through myself.

Apsely bottom lock (67)

Arriving at the next lock a wide trip boat was just leaving so I held back, the approach is on a bend, until he was out and clear and then went straight in.

Nash Mills lock (68)

I could see in the distance another wide beam was in the next lock so that meant another bonus for both of us, no gates to close, we both left our locks about the same time and as I watched him approach I was a bit amused at his antics, he was literally rubbing along the offside bank, so much so that he managed to rip a big bush out, it was very strange, he didn’t look at all embarrassed or make any comment as he passed by, very odd behaviour.

The next lock also had a boat waiting to come up so he assisted me through, 4 locks and all had gone well meeting boats at them all.

I passed by Darth Vader who seemed so shocked to see me he had stumbled backwards but luckily he was cable tied to his storm trooper buddy!.

I wanted to stop at Kings Langley and was pleased to see a nice space as I approached, last time I moored here I had quite a job getting the pins into the solid edge, today I only needed to pin the stern as there was a handily place rope looped through the edging near my bow, and the pins at the stern went it well.

I am staying here over the weekend again, visits have been arranged for Fathers day and I need to use a launderette for my larger items (mainly to get them dry and put away same day) and get a haircut.

I should be safe enough as I have a knight opposite watching my boat.

Current Mooring:

Totals today: 2 miles : 4 locks