Damp and miserable......

....the weather yesterday, not me :-)

Yesterday I needed to move, I have a schedule of moving every other day to get to Harefield Marina where I am leaving the boat for a week while I visit family over Christmas, and although it wasn't nice outside it wasn't bad enough to deter me.

I left my mooring at Bulbourne around 10am and negotiated the moored boats near the C&RT workshops, plenty of room really, passing the brested pair of workboats among others and then passing by the deserted looking Grand Junction Arms, well it was early.

Then it was along the summit through the Tring cutting 1.5 miles long and at it's deepest 135', quite some feat, just imagining all the men digging that lot out exhausts me! It was not the best time of year to pass through though, damp misty and eerily quiet apart from the sound of the engine and the quiet splash of water around the rudder.

I was glad to finally emerge back into 'daylight' although it was now raining lightly so the camera went back in it's tupperware container for a while.

Locks came and went, Cowroast being the first (46) at 6'0" deep, this was the first of three locks with leaking chambers which flood the adjacent property if the lock is left full, so as mentioned in my previous posts there are notices fixed to the balance beams instructing you to leave the lock empty with a bottom paddle up, having passed along the summit I am now descending, this means, once again a bit more work as you enter, having to walk to the far end of the lock to drop the paddle before you can fill the lock, but the reason is clear and not due to someone just being lazy ;-).

The rain eased as I reached this lock, I think it was 49 but I am not sure, with it's small pump house alongside working away.

It wasn't unpleasant but neither was it pleasant, and at this time of year and in these conditions not even the odd boater to chat to at a lock, so I was quite pleased to arrive at my intended stop of Berkhamstead and see plenty of space.
I moored slightly back from the town centre, it's a bit quieter and Waitrose is a very short walk.

Totals yesterday: 5 miles : 7 locks

Current mooring:

I like Berkhamstead, it seems pleased to have the historical canal connections and is very well kept and pleasant unlike some towns that give the impression they don't want boats/boaters around and use the canal as a place to dispose of unwanted rubbish, no sunken supermarket trolley's or old bicycles around here as far as I can tell.

I went for a look for new boots in town, and in one shop the lady assistant was explaining where I might get them elsewhere and she asked "are you travelling by car" when I said "no actually, a narrow boat" she replied "oh how lovely, such a funny reply 'by narrow boat' ", I didn't think it was funny but she meant it in a nice way and was very helpful.

This afternoon has turned out nice again, the sun is shining, the stove is just ticking over and the roof hatch is open to keep it cooler inside and give some fresh air, it's like spring again!

Back to meeting decent folk

Yesterday was a lovely bright day, I was up and about at 6:30 and having my Sunday breakfast at 7, with no reason to stay put I cast off at 9am into the bright low sunlight.

The ‘loose’ target for today was to get through the Marsworth flight of locks, 9 in all (37-45) lifting you a total of 56’ 7”, but the first two are separated from the last seven before the junction of the Aylesbury Arm.

As I was about to leave the first lock I spotted a boat about to prepare the second one for him to come down but seeing me and as the lock was empty he kindly waited and assisted me through, Karma from the previous cruise for which he no doubt will be repaid somewhere along the cut.

I stopped briefly at the water point for a splash and dash, the housing alongside is all finished and occupied and you tie up virtually on their frontage, odd and I would not be surprised to find the occupiers are not too happy but it was all agreed with the developer.

Services point, moored right outside their front door.

The work on the buildings at the Junction of the Aylesbury Arm is all finished too, looking very nice.

This was a building site when I travelled down the arm last year

You can look back at that trip HERE.

The next seven locks are all close together and there are always a lot of walkers about here as it’s pleasant walking around the three reservoirs that provide the water to the canal pumping it back up to the summit. I again had some luck when a brested pair of boats arrived at one of the locks as I was approaching and as it was in my favour they locked me through.

This was the lock I was waiting for though, Marsworth top lock and my last for the day. I was assisted by some walkers, they had a lovely little chap with them, probably 3 years old, he and Dad assisted me again opening the bottom gate as I approached and closing the top gate as I left.

I could have gone on but it was pleasant weather and although I had achieved my ‘loose’ target fairly easily I decided to moor up at Bulbourne just after the Wendover Arm junction

Branch to the Wendover Arm

Current mooring

 Totals yesterday: 2.5miles : 9 locks

The weather today is grey and damp, I am not moving.

Wi Fi problems

My laptop suddenly decided it didn't want to connect to the internet, I thought it was a weak signal but when I checked that today I discovered it wasn't that, it was just my laptop! Anyway I finally resolved the issue now so a catch-up post

Anything ahead???

It was a foggy start when I left my mooring at the Globe on Tuesday for what I thought would be a short cruise into Leighton Buzzard to find Karl and catch-up with things.

Leighton lock was the first stop after passing a couple of very friendly fishermen who not only smiled and gave me the thumbs up but spoke as well, they are not all bad ;-)

There was a bit of a hold up as I passed the Wyvern Shipping hire centre as they were shuffling a couple of boats around but I hovered mid stream while they got them sorted and then continued to the Tesco visitor moorings (2 hour limit).

Two quick trips saw my provisions and wine stocks replenished and coming back to the boat I found Juels Fuels moored behind me, presumably stocking up as well.

I was on the lookout for N.B. Lizzie Jane and Karl but passed through Leighton Buzzard without sight of him so continued on to Grove lock (28), on walking up to the lock I espied Lizzie moored just beyond and once in the lock as it was filling Karl came wandering along the towpath, we had a quick chat as he was off to see someone in the Marina by the lock and I discovered the reason Karl had not replied to my email (inquiring his location) was down to him taking an unplanned trip into the cut, on his bike, with his Mac laptop and other things, a few days earlier! 

Fortunately he was ok but the Mac is no more!

I moored behind him and when he returned we put the world to rights over a couple of glasses of vino.

Totals Tuesday :  2.5 miles : 2 locks

Mooring Tuesday:

Wednesday I lent Karl my bike in the afternoon so that he could go into town for some bits; his bike is inside his boat, hopefully drying out the electrics. In the evening we went over to The Grove pub by the lock for a drink and care was taken crossing the lock on the return to our boats after a couple of drinks : -)

I was going to move yesterday but Karl came aboard for a coffee and it was very overcast, windy and not really cruising weather (when you have no real reason to move) so I stayed again. I walked into town in the afternoon to post a letter and generally lazed around.

Lazy some folk!

This morning saw me say cheerio to Karl and cast off around 9:30 in much better conditions.

Approaching the first lock of the day Church Lock (29) I was pleased to see a gate open ready for me.

Another interesting looking boat with almost its own conservatory.

I think a lazy wide beam owner must have moved off ahead of me somewhere after that first lock because all the remaining locks today had both tops gates wide open and the paddles left up. What that meant for me following was that every lock was against me, I had to walk to the far end of each lock close one gate and lower the paddle, walk back all the way around the lock to close the other gate and lower the paddle before I could begin emptying the lock to allow me to enter, it’s good practice to close all gates and lower all paddles when exiting a lock unless signs direct you to do otherwise but whoever he/she was just didn’t bother :-( hopefully Karma will repay them.

Leaving Slapton lock (30) I stopped on the water point for a quick fill, having closed all the gates and lowered all the paddles first!

I passed a holiday home site offering a stay in Wigwams and saw these ‘cabins’, I don’t know if they are the wigwams or an alternative, there were no wigwams visible!

The old lock keepers cottage at Horton lock was looking well cared for, presumably a private home now.

After going through the next 5 locks with the extra gate work I was about to moor up before the swing bridge situated before Cooks Wharf, I’d had enough for one day and the thought of an awkward swing bridge did not enthuse me, but as I was slowing into position I noticed the bridge beginning to open so I promptly moved off again and was lucky to pass through without hindrance as a couple on a narrowboat opened it to pass through and closed it after me, a fitting end to the day!

I moored in a rural spot away from the wharf and all the other boats.

Current mooring:

Totals today: 5.5 miles : 8 locks : 1 moveable bridge (assisted).

Chilly but.....

....lovely and bright.

Saturday I arose early and got ready to walk to Wickes where I had perused online for flooring for the shower room, according to the website they had plenty of stock, but walking meant I would need to do at least two trips, about 15mins each way.

I was off at 8:30 and arriving at the store to find they had none at all, what a let down, I couldn’t decide on an alternative so that was that! back at the boat I decided I would stay where I was so I could watch Strictly Come Dancing and move on Sunday to Leighton Buzzard.

Normally I awake around 6 – 6:30, Sunday for some reason I slept ‘til 8:30, not a problem apart from the fact that those additional hours meant the stove was on its last legs and the boat was ‘chilly’, first job was to get that stoked up and roaring again, as I was running late I decided to forego my customary full English breakfast and settled on a bacon sandwich, It was frosty so I wasn’t in too much of a rush and just after 10am I cast off.

The canal near my position was not iced over and I headed for the lock and service point immediately after it, I was surprised to find as I got near the lock the canal had a fairly thick (about 6mm) layer of ice, after tying up first job was to open the swing bridge which is positioned across the centre of Fenny lock (22), having gone through the lock I pulled onto the service point for the usual fill and empty, it was treacherous near the obligatory leaking tap with sheet ice and a slope towards the canal edge I took my time and watched my footing carefully.

Setting off again I found thin ice for the next 100 yards or so and for most of the cruise there was patchy thin ice in exposed areas.

An ice covering and bright sunlight

Having gone about a mile I reached for my gloves and found only one, I had left one at the services, damn it, not worth heading back so that’s another little task to add to my list, replacement winter gloves!

Stoke Hammond lock (23) was next and I again took much care around the edges but was soon through without mishap.

Leaving Stoke Hammond Lock 

I quite liked this boat, the idea of a mid position covered cockpit can be quite appealing in the winter months J although I didn’t like the colour.

It was then on to the Soulbury locks (24-26), a flight of three alongside the ‘Three Locks’ pub, they obviously gave that name a lot of thought. I had a family of watchers and helpers out for their Sunday morning stroll, having entered the first lock and made sure all was going well I left it to finish filling and walked to the next lock to set that in my favour, there is nowhere to tie up between each lock so you need to go from one straight into the next. I asked the family if they would close the gate for me as I left and they happily did, and the same routine was applied to the middle lock, at the third lock they had gone so I dealt with that one alone.

Looking back down the flight of 3, Quinquireme having a wander around
the broad lock.

Back in position and leaving the top lock

Having passed many moored boats and a couple of fishing matches (some happier than others to speak to me) I was running later than I had expected,  the sun had all but disappeared and it was getting chilly so when I arrived at the visitor moorings by ‘The Globe’ pub I decided to call it a day and moor up.

Totals today: 7 miles : 5 locks : 1 moveable bridge

Current mooring.

I had intended to move today but the canal is iced over, only lightly but I have no urgent need to move and the forecast is warmer tomorrow so I will stay put today.

Icy chilly view from the cabin today

Nobody has passed by this morning so far.

P.S. not sure if I said but the shower is lovely and surprisingly leak free J

Ta-Dah.

On Monday (28^th) I woke to a very pleasant morning, a bit chilly but it is November. 

Having winded (turned) before mooring at my present position I needed to return to the service point and fill with water and dispose of all the rubbish I had accumulated with the works, so a short hop back to Giffard Park service point was the first job.

I'm filling up :-)

Having completed that I needed to wind again, another short hop to the Winding Hole.

Mid wind (turn) in the Hole

This home is nicely situated right by the Winding Hole, I bet they see some sights, and get a bit fed up with the revving engines as boaters use the power to get around.

And then I was off again towards Fenny Stratford, my intended stop, passing Lionhearts Cruising Club.

Milton Keynes is quite pleasant lock free cruising but plenty of bridges, most of them are ugly, there has been an attempt to brighten up this concrete monstrosity with posters of birds, I’m not sure it’s succeeded.

There is the odd piece of sculpture to distract you as you pootle past all the moored boats.

Some of which are hopefully works in progress.

Campbell Park visitor moorings on the offside were full, there is only room for 4 visitors and 4 permit holders, it's a lovely place to stop and look around, I really enjoyed my visit when I passed this way last year.

Passing Milton Keynes Marina, there’s a pub just before it, but No Mooring signs, I don’t understand why pubs would do that, surely they would gain business from boats.

After a very pleasant cruise I arrived to find a spot on the end of the moorings by bridge 94, just where I wanted to be as there is a small car park and private road giving reasonable access for a delivery.

Current mooring:

Totals this post: 7 miles

Once moored and warmed up a bit I went in search of plumbing bits and tiles, the bike came into play, both were sourced readily, Topps tiles, not my favourite shop but needs must, and sadly I had to buy all the necessary tools having not kept any of the ones I used to own. A delivery charge of £30 I thought was a liberty but again needs must and they did deliver that evening.

Tuesday was spent tiling and plumbing, Wednesday grouting, and this morning fixng the mixer and riser and then the silicone work.

Ta- Dah.

Looks a bit different:

I cannot wait to try it, but 24hours must elapse first so tomorrow evening I will be showering with straight legs and my head not banging on the ceiling!!

I still have lots to do but I don’t need to rush to get that done, my bedroom is currently a wreck storage area, I am sleeping in the front cabin on the convertible seating, a bonus of that is that it is really warm but I don’t enjoy having to make up the bed each night and dismantle it next morning, so I will probably leave the bathroom for a while and try and sort the bedroom on a temporary basis next, I currently have no wardrobe!