Hanwell Locks and Three Bridges

My mooring at Brentford

The next day Wendy had to leave to go back to work so, initially thinking that I would take a day off, I walked Tara, managing to find a lovely nature trail under what looked like the Chiswick flyover!
I had arranged for my brother, Mike to visit and he was keen to help with some locks. I decided that whilst running the engine for the day I might as well tackle the next 2 locks which would be my first solo attempt and get me to the base of Hanwell locks.

We had seen a couple of young bucks on the Thames using this mode of transport but dressed in canoeing gear. This chap looked as though he was going to the office, wearing trousers and leather shoes!

The first lock went really well apart from having to ask a passer by to help open one of the gates cos I couldn't shift it. Mind you he was wearing a fitness instructor t-shirt and looked pretty fit but walked away massaging his leg muscles, so I didn't feel so pathetic!
I managed to walk the boat in by getting off before she went into the lock.

The second one, with a footbridge in the way, I had to stay on board because I could not have managed to hold the centre line and walked around the bridge.
As I entered the lock, used reverse to stop the boat and there was an almighty crash and the engine came to a juddering stop. Problem!
Next problem without power I was marooned in the middle of a wide lock. The solution was again assistance from some walkers who pulled the boat over to the steps for me to get off.

I worked the lock and then as the boat rose I could see a huge log jammed in the propeller which would not shift with the aid of the pole.

With the lock filled I pulled the boat out of the lock, moored up and tried to shift the log again. This time success and with great trepidation started the engine. She ran smoothly!

The offending log bearing the scars of a contest with my prop!

Decided it was time for a day off as this canal boating was getting rather stressful!

Actually stayed a couple of days as Thursday's weather looked rather unpleasant with high winds again. So I took the opportunity to do some scouting around the area. There were some lovely walks nearby, London is making the most of its open spaces....met some lovely people too.

We walked up to the flight of locks to see what lay ahead and to scout out some parking for Mike and discovered an old asylum, lots of information about the area and Three Bridges

The Hanwell flight of six locks raises the Grand Union Canal by just over 53 feet (16.2 m) and has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by English Heritage.

The flight passes the walls of the old asylum

This was one of the insets by the side of the lock giving passers by
information about features of the canal

These ramps were still very well preserved

Lying to the west of the River Brent and so actually in the precinct of Norwood Green, the Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum was commonly referred to as the Hanwell Asylum because it was closer to the centre of Hanwell than either Norwood or Southall. The asylumwas opened in 1831 to house pauper lunatics. 

The hospital was remarkable as one of its physicians, John Conolly, 1794–1866, was progressive in the treatment of patients and avoided the use of restraints.

Within the boundary of Hanwell proper, there were three more asylums. These were all private. The first one recorded, was "Popes House", which admitted its first patient (it is thought) in 1804.

Must have been something in the water!!!

Hard times

Each lock still had its cottage 

Some private moorings with a large sized garden

At the top of the flight of locks towards Norwood Green is the Three Bridges designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is still often referred to on maps by the original canal crossing name of Windmill Bridge and is very close to the spot where the eponymous windmill once stood; attracting the attention of a localBrentford artist named Joseph Mallard William Turner. However, there was also a windmill on the grounds where the Hanwell asylum once stood and the original name was Watermill Lane.

Joseph Mallard William Turner, a local artist

By constructing 'Three Bridges' Isambard Kingdom Brunel helped to connect three forms of transport in Hanwell. Road, canal and rail. Three Bridges is a unique construction and one of his last engineering feats. Here a road (Windmill Lane) goes over the canal which crosses a railway, all at the same point.

My photo

This metal plate was added to protect the brick work
but then in turn suffered the effects of scarring
by the frequent passage of ropes on the barges

T

This is today's quiz. Could not find any info about this seen at the side of the canal. There were 6 locks so it is not the first lock. Any ideas?

So I am now at the top of this flight having spent a most enjoyable day with Mike working the locks. We travelled up with another solo boater, Ralph who is 85 years old!
The weather for once was in our favour with glorious sunshine and some CRT volunteers were on hand to help.

Mike, my brother keeping busy 

Top lock completed

Norwood Top Lock. No more locks until just after Camden Market

And finally..............