We moved up to Cassiobury Park, stopped there until Friday, then headed south again.
The news on Tring Summit is that it should be open again, with restricted hours, from March 26th, so we are planning to head down towards Brentford, maybe take a trip in on the Paddington Arm or maybe investigate the notoriously shallow Slough Arm. We haven't really decided yet. We plan on being back at Cassiobury by about the 21st so we can travel up to Cowroast for the 26th. Hopefully we can then start heading for Leeds at last.
We travelled down to Batchworth yesterday, stocked up at Tesco this morning and then carried on to above Coppermill Lock. The weather forecast for the next couple of days is lousy, but we do need the rain. It will probably be Tuesday before we carry on our way.
We want to go to Uxbridge Boat Centre to see if they can get us a new grate for our fire as after two years of saying we must get a new one ours eventually broke. We managed to turn it round so that the damaged part is at the front so we can still build a fire at the back! They are closed on Mondays so not moving until Tuesday isn't a problem.
Since my last post we have travelled 5.7 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 13.1 miles and 16 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1214.8 miles, 1102 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Thawed out
By Tuesday this week the ice had at last disappeared from the canal at Batchworth so we decided to carry on with our plan of heading back to Cassiobury Park. The canal was ice free as far as Lot Mead Lock but above that there was still a lot of ice, it had been broken up by at least one boat going through but there were still lot of sheets about three quarters of an inch thick and about twelve foot square. We slowly made our way up to Common Moor, nudging sheets of ice gently out of our way, up through the lock through more ice and then, where the river joins the canal for a while, it was ice free to Cassiobridge Lock.
A bit of good timing meant that we were able to share the lock with another boat who was just heading for the waterpoint above the lock. From the lock I could see a space to moor by Rousebarn bridge and also that there was a lot of ice still beyond the bridge so we decided to stop there.
We paid a visit to Bob and Babs, who live just a short walk over the hill, then on Friday Babs brought two of her grandchildren, Robbie and Katie to visit. They seemed fascinated by the boat and the cats!
We will probably move up to our favourite spot in Cassiobury Park either tomorrow or Monday.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.1 miles and 4 locks
This year we have travelled 7.4 miles and 10 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1209.1 miles, 1096 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
A bit of good timing meant that we were able to share the lock with another boat who was just heading for the waterpoint above the lock. From the lock I could see a space to moor by Rousebarn bridge and also that there was a lot of ice still beyond the bridge so we decided to stop there.
We paid a visit to Bob and Babs, who live just a short walk over the hill, then on Friday Babs brought two of her grandchildren, Robbie and Katie to visit. They seemed fascinated by the boat and the cats!
We will probably move up to our favourite spot in Cassiobury Park either tomorrow or Monday.
Since my last post we have travelled 3.1 miles and 4 locks
This year we have travelled 7.4 miles and 10 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1209.1 miles, 1096 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Friday, 3 February 2012
Frozen in
Well, January was pretty uninteresting.
No luck for either of us with any work, we did manage to get a cheap deal that allowed us a trip to see the grandkids in Peterborough but apart from that we haven't been doing much.
We had considered heading north before the BW stoppage at Nash Mills started but then we heard that Tring Summit has been closed and drained to save water so we can't get much further north than Berkhampstead until they reopen that so we decided might as well potter around the southern end of the Grand Union until we can get past the summit.
We spent some time at Lot Mead just above Rickmansworth then last Monday came down to Batchworth intending to stock up, fill up our water etc and head back to Cassiobury Park for another couple of weeks before heading back down to Brentford, maybe having a look at the Slough Arm and maybe going in on the Paddington Arm. Tuesday was washing day, then to the White Bear to meet some other boaters and a chap from NABO who was talking about BW becoming a charitable trust then Wednesday was shopping day and turn round. Except that it was blowing a gale and by the time I had managed to turn the boat around I was frozen and fed up so decided we would stay here, intending to move today when the winds had died down. Then last night the canal froze, not very thick but if it is frozen here only 50 yards from where the river is creating a flow it is probably very solid further up. There has been no movement on the canal at all today so I am guessing it is pretty solid everywhere.
It looks like we could be here for another week at least.
So far this year we have travelled 4.3 miles and 6 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1206 miles, 1092 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
No luck for either of us with any work, we did manage to get a cheap deal that allowed us a trip to see the grandkids in Peterborough but apart from that we haven't been doing much.
We had considered heading north before the BW stoppage at Nash Mills started but then we heard that Tring Summit has been closed and drained to save water so we can't get much further north than Berkhampstead until they reopen that so we decided might as well potter around the southern end of the Grand Union until we can get past the summit.
We spent some time at Lot Mead just above Rickmansworth then last Monday came down to Batchworth intending to stock up, fill up our water etc and head back to Cassiobury Park for another couple of weeks before heading back down to Brentford, maybe having a look at the Slough Arm and maybe going in on the Paddington Arm. Tuesday was washing day, then to the White Bear to meet some other boaters and a chap from NABO who was talking about BW becoming a charitable trust then Wednesday was shopping day and turn round. Except that it was blowing a gale and by the time I had managed to turn the boat around I was frozen and fed up so decided we would stay here, intending to move today when the winds had died down. Then last night the canal froze, not very thick but if it is frozen here only 50 yards from where the river is creating a flow it is probably very solid further up. There has been no movement on the canal at all today so I am guessing it is pretty solid everywhere.
It looks like we could be here for another week at least.
So far this year we have travelled 4.3 miles and 6 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1206 miles, 1092 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Monday, 26 December 2011
Tale of woe
My last post was fairly optimistic, Ray was working, all was well. All that changed on December 10th when I managed to total my car! Black ice + bend + brick wall !! One of those silly incidents, luckily at low speed so no damage to me. If it had been a more expensive car it might have been worth repairing but £600 of repairs on a car which only cost £400 didn't seem worth paying out. What made it worse was the fact that just we had paid nearly £200 to replace the exhaust. Losing the car has meant that Ray is now not working, but we are still both looking. Being without a car has also made things a bit harder when it comes to visiting family. We had planned to spend Christmas aboard anyway but now visiting Mandy for New Year is off the agenda.
We are moored by Cassiobury Park so have a nice view out of our windows, no houses! We had a quiet but enjoyable day yesterday with lots of good food and drink. Not many presents but being together is what counts.
We haven't travelled much this month. Just pottering around the Watford and Rickmansworth area. I can't believe the contrast in the weather to last year. There were buds on the honeysuckle in the cottage garden by Lot Mead Lock last week.
Since my last post we have travelled 4.6 miles and 7 locks
This year we have travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1192.1 miles, 1093 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
We are moored by Cassiobury Park so have a nice view out of our windows, no houses! We had a quiet but enjoyable day yesterday with lots of good food and drink. Not many presents but being together is what counts.
We haven't travelled much this month. Just pottering around the Watford and Rickmansworth area. I can't believe the contrast in the weather to last year. There were buds on the honeysuckle in the cottage garden by Lot Mead Lock last week.
Since my last post we have travelled 4.6 miles and 7 locks
This year we have travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1192.1 miles, 1093 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Hanging around
Time to move a little way just to keep BW happy. The rules say 14 days in any one place then you must move to the next parish/village on your journey so as we had been moored at Grove Mill for just over three weeks we thought we should move. Our water tanks were running low anyway!
On Saturday we moved down to Cassiobury Park then yesterday we carried on to Common Moor, our old mooring spot from a couple of years back, pausing only to fill our water tanks at Cassiobridge Lock.
Ray has managed to get some work so we may be a bit better off but that depends on how much work he gets. No luck on the job front for me but I'm a bit restricted as Ray needs the car so anything I do has to be walking distance or public transport.
Nothing much to report, we had a nice Sunday dinner with Bob and Babs a couple of weeks ago, time goes so quickly, I can't believe it less than five weeks to Christmas.
Since my last post we have travelled 2.6 miles and 4 locks
So far this year we have travelled 456.8 miles, 437 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1187.5 miles, 1086 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
On Saturday we moved down to Cassiobury Park then yesterday we carried on to Common Moor, our old mooring spot from a couple of years back, pausing only to fill our water tanks at Cassiobridge Lock.
Ray has managed to get some work so we may be a bit better off but that depends on how much work he gets. No luck on the job front for me but I'm a bit restricted as Ray needs the car so anything I do has to be walking distance or public transport.
Nothing much to report, we had a nice Sunday dinner with Bob and Babs a couple of weeks ago, time goes so quickly, I can't believe it less than five weeks to Christmas.
Since my last post we have travelled 2.6 miles and 4 locks
So far this year we have travelled 456.8 miles, 437 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1187.5 miles, 1086 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Friday, 28 October 2011
We're Back!!
After one year, seven months and thirteen days we are back where we started!
Well, not quite actually because we started from Cassiobridge Lock near Croxley and we have stopped at Grove Mill which is four locks and about two miles from there but this is one of our favourite spots so we are stopping here for now.
We had a leisurely cruise down from Kings Langley to here. I nearly stole a lock from a wide-beam, when the lock is against us I always check for incoming boats and if there is a bend I can't see round I watch the water for any sign of movement. The problem was that is was so sunny I couldn't see anything except the glare off of the water. I was just starting to fill the lock when they appear round the bend so I quickly dropped the paddles and let the small amount of water out of the lock. At least it meant I had help opening the top gate which was much appreciated as that particular one is very heavy.
When we had almost reached The Grove we started to wonder if we would get moored as there seem to be more moored boats than we remembered but we got 'our' spot opposite the weir at the mill.
We have already seen some of our old acquaintances, Dave with his terracotta (red oxide primer) coloured boat and Dawn and her sister on Green Howard, also the chap who owns the plot of land next to the mill, it is still for sale so I can still hope for a lottery win!
Today's journey 3.5 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 454.2 miles, 433 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1184.9 miles, 1082 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Well, not quite actually because we started from Cassiobridge Lock near Croxley and we have stopped at Grove Mill which is four locks and about two miles from there but this is one of our favourite spots so we are stopping here for now.
We had a leisurely cruise down from Kings Langley to here. I nearly stole a lock from a wide-beam, when the lock is against us I always check for incoming boats and if there is a bend I can't see round I watch the water for any sign of movement. The problem was that is was so sunny I couldn't see anything except the glare off of the water. I was just starting to fill the lock when they appear round the bend so I quickly dropped the paddles and let the small amount of water out of the lock. At least it meant I had help opening the top gate which was much appreciated as that particular one is very heavy.
When we had almost reached The Grove we started to wonder if we would get moored as there seem to be more moored boats than we remembered but we got 'our' spot opposite the weir at the mill.
We have already seen some of our old acquaintances, Dave with his terracotta (red oxide primer) coloured boat and Dawn and her sister on Green Howard, also the chap who owns the plot of land next to the mill, it is still for sale so I can still hope for a lottery win!
Today's journey 3.5 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 454.2 miles, 433 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1184.9 miles, 1082 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Catch up
I managed to forget to blog our journey from Winkwell down to Boxmoor, It was uneventful apart from the low water level in the pound between Boxmoor Top Lock and Fishery Lock. Some British Waterways work boats that were heading up ran a lot of water through to stop themselves from going aground but the level was still about a foot down. Ray kept Morgana to the middle of the cut so no problem just "interesting".
We have spent the last couple of weeks moored at Boxmoor, Ray managed to get an alternator from the breakers for £15 then paid a local garage a couple of quid to swap the pulley from the old one to the 'new' one as the new pulley was too big. Anyway we are now back to normal as far as power is concerned so no more expensive petrol!
Less than a week now until we collect the car so yesterday it was time to start heading for Watford, as we have tickets booked on the train for next week. We only did the short hop down to the facilities and Sainsbury's at Apsley then today we carried on toward King's Langley. We stopped about a mile before reaching there as the weather was miserable. The forecast for tomorrow is better so we might make it to Grove Mill. We may stop there as we can hop on the bus to Watford Junction from there and it is a nice spot.
Since my last blog we have travelled 3.4 miles, 9 locks and 1 swing bridge
So far this year we have travelled 450.7 miles, 427 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1181.4 miles, 1076 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels.
We have spent the last couple of weeks moored at Boxmoor, Ray managed to get an alternator from the breakers for £15 then paid a local garage a couple of quid to swap the pulley from the old one to the 'new' one as the new pulley was too big. Anyway we are now back to normal as far as power is concerned so no more expensive petrol!
Less than a week now until we collect the car so yesterday it was time to start heading for Watford, as we have tickets booked on the train for next week. We only did the short hop down to the facilities and Sainsbury's at Apsley then today we carried on toward King's Langley. We stopped about a mile before reaching there as the weather was miserable. The forecast for tomorrow is better so we might make it to Grove Mill. We may stop there as we can hop on the bus to Watford Junction from there and it is a nice spot.
Since my last blog we have travelled 3.4 miles, 9 locks and 1 swing bridge
So far this year we have travelled 450.7 miles, 427 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1181.4 miles, 1076 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels.
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