With London Behind Me ..........

After Ben and Rachel left I was determined the next day to get as far into the countryside as possible despite the weather conditions not being too clever with very strong gusting winds again.
All was going well until I decide to moor up in Cowley Peachey Junction which is where the Slough Arm joins the Grand Union.

Despite taking all precautions, the wind caught the bow and sent it across the canal to come to rest on boats moored on the opposite bank. It took 3 of us to pull the boat back over against the wind.

So needless to say, I waited until the winds subsided the next morning before setting off again. But I had made good progress and found a pleasant mooring a good distance from the metropolis.




The next day I moored up just beyond Denham Deep Lock which is the deepest lock on the Grand Union, a good way to end the day.

The lock emptying

The boat seemed a long way down. I had to extend my centre rope to 'walk' the boat into the lock

Strong currents whilst the lock filled

Ta Da! Simples

Not too many photos of locks I promise, but as this was the deepest I thought it worthy.

As I was relaxing enjoying a drink that evening, i got talking to Wayne and we agreed to pair up the next day as he was also going to Rickmansworth. So it was a relaxing day in his company and we seemed to work well as a team (not always the case as I have found out)

Wayne at work.....a rare example of where I stayed on board 

Amazing decking 

Thought this was going to be another Huf Haus but it turned out to be a glass-built extension. The top floor was an artist's studio with the kitchen downstairs.

And in contrast..............

Time for a cuppa whilst these chaps from CRT carried out some repairs 

We moored up at the end of the day at Rickmansworh Aquadrome, near to Batchworth Lock. It was a good location to leave the boat whilst I travelled back to Gloster and went to my niece's wedding. It was also a handy place for friends to visit.

I was also hoping to spend some more time with Ben and Rachel as their boat is moored nearby but unfortunately it was not possible.

So back on the canal again and getting into the swing of (and the pace of) the canals and developing a system to operate the locks single-handed. With Tara's help of course!

The first day took us to Cassiobury Park which is a very beautiful wooded area and large park.

Many of the trees were extremely old Sweet Chestnuts.

So tall 

Some amazing bark patterns 

This one looked as if it had been signed 

All full of character


I did take loads more but these are just a selection.

I didn't stay in the area too long as the Inland Waterways Festival was due to start in 2 weeks time so a lot more boats would soon be arriving. With the water levels already low I decided not to hang around. So I set off for Hemel Hempstead.

I am just going to publish weekly-ish blogs now and try to find some interesting photos along the way to share with you ...... not too many locks, promise. As I am sure you do not need a detailed daily account I shall just do a summary, with highlights, as and when.