A happy little girl.

The forecast today was sunshine and showers, I thought by moving off early I might avoid the worst so at 8:15 with everything ready I just about to untie when around the bend behind me appeared a wide beam, that put paid to that then, I can’t share a lock with him and he was too near for me to push off ahead of him, so back below for a cup of tea and give him 30 minutes head start.

Arriving at the first lock, Boxmoor lock (64), he had gone and another boat was coming down towards me, so I tied up and went up to the lock to assist but they were fully crewed, so a brief chat before heading back to my boat to  go through once they had cleared.

The chap near my bow is logging boats for C&RT, I think his title is mooring
warden, although those without licences call him other names!

Leaving Boxmoor lock.

The skies looked a bit stormy but were moving quite fast so I was still hoping to dodge the showers.

The next two locks came and went with a hitch and then I arrived at the Winkwell swing bridge which is electrically operated.

Having tied up I walked up to the bridge and paused to let a lady and her two small children cross before opening it, the lady asked her children if they wanted to watch me so they stood nearby, while it was opening I asked the little girl, who was about four if she would like to close the bridge once I had gone through, she excitedly said yes, so I showed her which button to press after I had cleared the bridge, she performed like an expert and was very happy at having controlled the bridge on her own! While I was preparing to set off again I realised I should have got a picture and hadn’t so I snapped this on zoom quickly as they walked away, hence a bit blurry.

On through the next lock (60) and just after I had taken the next picture of the residential boats moored in the pound there was a brief shower of rain, but brolly up and it stopped before I reached lock 59.

I think this canal side patio area was incomplete when I last came through but it looks nice now, a bit of a walk to and from the house with a gin and tonic though J

Approaching bridge 145 and a boat came through so I slowed to give him time, he told me another was following so I held station, when the second boat appeared I recognised it from a Facebook post and told him so as he passed, everyone likes to know people read their posts.

Lock 58 had a gate open so I was able to go straight in but having worked the lock and moved out  as I closed the left gate the right swung open, so I pushed the boat across and closed that one only for the left to swing open again, I pushed back to the nearside and was attempting to close that when a boat came around the bend, so I re-opened it and then another boat followed, I could have left both gates open if my timing had been better !

The pound between lock 58 & 57 was low again, it was last time I came through, I got the bow in ok and walked along the gunnel to get ashore, then having opening the lock gate I had to reverse off before I was able to clear the bank.

Having gone in and filled the lock I was just moving out of it when the heavens opened, I banged into reverse and held the boat between the gates with my brolly up.

The dark corner is my brolly.

It was about 5 minutes before it let up and I headed off to the last lock (56) before looking to find my mooring, I had a place in mind just before the Old Mill Pub which has a water point near it, I will be able to fill when I leave here, also I am just about walking distance to Berkhamsted, I did not want to moor there again.

I passed this boat again, regular readers might recognise it as I have posted pictures of the various changes from a boat with an old car dumped on the stern to what is now looking a bit more finished, but why I will never understand! Curious, I wonder if he steers with the car steering wheel, he's certainly putting a lot of effort into it.

Current Mooring:

Totals today: 4 miles : 9 locks : 1 moveable bridge (child assisted).