School holidays = change in the weather

I should have known, the kids have started their Easter holidays,so this morning I woke up to cold winds and cloudy skies.

There were two boats ahead of us waiting to go across the summit, British Waterways were, as usual,working on canal time so ten o'clock was more like quarter past. No problem for us but the others had a moan. We were up through the lock and on to the lock free stretch across the summit before eleven. Water levels on the summit were low but no worse than I have seen them before. There is loads of cut wood on the banks but we didn't stop and pick any up.

When we reached Marsworth Top Lock there were two boats ahead of us waiting to go down, not the two that had come through Cowroast so they must have been moored overnight on the summit. It probably took us about half an hour for our turn through the lock, just as we were closing up the lock Oasis, who had been moored at Cowroast, caught up with us so we had company down through the seven Marsworth locks. We made good time and actually nearly caught up with the two boats ahead. When we got to the bottom BW were already waiting to to lock up the locks because last entry into the flight is 1.30.

We went on ahead through Marsworth as Oasis was looking for a spot to moor, he must have found a spot but there was virtually no space for a mile from the bottom lock of the flight to bridge 129. We carried on down the last two Marsworth locks where we met someone we used to moor near a couple of years ago. He has sold his narrowboat and now has a new, four day old, widebeam. OK for him as he doesn't intend to go anywhere except the Grand Union but it wouldn't suit us.

The swing bridge just past Pitstone Wharf was awkward as usual but when Ray bounced on the free end I was able to open it to get through. We moored for the night between the bridge and the first of the Seabrook Locks.

I am sulking because QPR beat Arsenal, Ray is very happy of course.

Today's journey 6 miles, 10 locks and 1 swing bridge.


So far this year we have travelled 38.9 miles, 66 locks and 2 swing bridges

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1240.6 miles, 1152 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Nice weather but not a lot of water.

We didn't make a very early start this morning, Berkhamsted has a good craft shop and I still had some birthday money left. Yes, I did say had !

I knew we weren't going very far today anyway, Tring summit and the locks down to Marsworth are only open 10-3 and I knew we wouldn't make Marsworth today and didn't want to moor overnight on the summit.

Signs of Spring above Northchurch Locks

When we reached Northchurch, just outside Berkhamsted I felt as if we were out of the urban sprawl at last. There are nice bits of countryside between Rickmansworth and Northchurch but I always feel the next housing estate is just around the corner. It isn't very peaceful countryside as the railway keeps company with the canal most of the way from Watford to Milton Keynes. That is one disadvantage of the canals, the railway builders liked to take nearly the same routes.

So we are moored below Cowroast Lock for tonight and providing the cats behave themselves and all come home for supper so we can shut them in we should go across the summit tomorrow.

Today's journey 2.5 miles and 6 locks


So far this year we have travelled 32.9 miles, 56 locks and 1 swing bridge

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1234.6 miles, 1142 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Making good progress

Another nice sunny day enabled us to make good progress from Hemel Hempstead up to Berkhamsted. I even had a rest from working locks for part of the day as I took the tiller while Ray did the work for a while. He is now feeling the after effects so no doubt normal service will be resumed tomorrow. Winkwell swing bridge normally gives me the chance to stop traffic, (something I could do forty years ago with a mini skirt) but at the moment the road is closed while they do maintenance on the bridge.

The water shortage meant that some of the pounds were very low and it's only going to get worse if we don't get some rain. Can it rain between 10pm and 6am please? The River Bulbourne at Berkhamsted is completely dry and has been for some time by the look of it.

If this was a river in Africa there would probably be a drought  appeal

If anyone has any doubts about the shortage of water, look at this and think again. Not only is there no water in the River Bulbourne but the river bed is so dry it has cracks inches deep.


Spring has definitely sprung, the willows and hawthorn are in leaf and the rest of the trees have leaf buds swelling. Swans are nesting and ducks are doing what ducks do in the spring.

Tomorrow will be a slightly lazy day as we will move up to Cowroast ready to cross Tring summit on Saturday.

Today we travelled 4.5 miles, 14 locks and 1 swing bridge.


So far this year we have travelled 30.4 miles, 50 locks and 1 swing bridge

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1232.1 miles, 1136 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Good and Bad!

When we set off this morning it was still quite chilly but by the time we had reached Lady Capel's Lock (about 2 miles and 4 locks) I was very warm. A lovely day for cruising, sunshine, blue skies and not a care in the world. Then after about four miles and ten locks the engine got rather warm, a quick look showed a leaky hose on the cooling system, luckily we had a spare so after about half an hour we were on our way again. Two more locks and I took the tiller to moor us at Sainsburys, oops, ignition light on, broken fanbelt. We decided to get the shopping done before tackling that one, so went and got the bits we couldn't get in Tesco.

When we got back Ray had a rummage and found that we did have a spare fanbelt so that got replaced. Then he found he had a small water leak from the waterpump which he had to remove in order to replace the fan belt so he had to reseal that. By the time all that was done my getup and go had got up and gone so we will stay here for the night and carry on tomorrow. I think I'm going to ache a bit, we have been too lazy for too long.

Today's journey 5.7 miles and 12 locks

So far this year we have travelled 25.9 miles and 36 locks

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1227.6 miles, 1122 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Another long cruise, not!!

At least the beginning of our cruising has gone to schedule, watertanks are full, loos are empty, most rubbish dumped (the rubbish bins at Hemel are a lot closer to the canal so some heavy bits can wait till there). Diesel tank full plus full jerry cans, two spare gas bottles, a sack and a half of coal and some wood in case it turns cold again. Food mainly stocked up, again a few bits to get at Hemel from Sainsbury but not a lot.

We had a good day yesterday with Gordon, lots of chat then a meal at the White Bear, nothing fancy but very good pub grub at a reasonable price

We set out at a reasonable hour this morning, did all the necessary bits and headed up to Cassiobury Park. The nice weather is encouraging people to be out and about but there weren't that many people on the move. We did share a couple of the locks.

If all goes to plan we should reach Leeds middle to end of May, but when does everything go to plan. At the moment the water shortages aren't hitting too hard, just timing restrictions on the bigger flights of locks.

We had a good chat and a cuppa with Bob and Babs, promised to keep in touch and be back in time for their Golden Wedding next March.

Today's journey 3.1 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 20.2 miles and 24 locks


In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1221.9 miles, 1110 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

On the move, just!

Well you know Ray and I, we don't like to overdo things!

We have started our 2012 cruise with a mere hour up to Batchworth, and we are taking a day off tomorrow :-)

The day off is because my brother is coming to visit so we will catch up on the gossip, then go for a few beers and a bite to eat. Our cruising proper won't start until Wednesday as we plan to move up to Cassiobury on Tuesday and visit Bob and Babs.

Today's journey 1 mile and 1 lock

So far this year we have travelled 17.1 miles and 20 locks

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1218.7 miles, 1106 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Change of plans, again

We were all ready to move on towards Uxbridge and all points south when Lancelot decided to go missing. He eventually turned up, on the wrong side of the canal and so Ray went to rescue him. Unless he went for a long walk he must either have crossed on one of the pipe bridges, or fallen in and climbed out on the wrong bank, Lancelot that is not Ray.

After that mishap we were going to move on Wednesday only to discover that the very cheap alternator that we picked up from the scrapyard last year had packed up. So it was search for an alternator time. We have managed to find one on eBay, managed to get the money together, ordered it and it arrived on Saturday, so the last two weeks have been a write-off. It;s a bit too late to think about heading south now so we have done an about turn and headed back towards Batchworth. Currently moored below Stockers Lock ready to head for Batchworth at the weekend.

By the time I have arranged to meet up with my brother and then seen Bob and Babs to bid our farewells we will probably be about a week later setting off than planned but never mind.

Since my last post we have travelled 3 miles and 3 locks

So far this year we have travelled 16.1 miles and 19 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 1217.8 miles, 1105 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Heading south, again.

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