Time for a break

We wandered into Watford on Thursday and did a bit of shopping, nothing exciting, my usual round of the charity shops found me a skirt and a pair of brand new jeans. Our visit to Maplin resulted in the purchase of a solar powered torch, down to half price so not a bad buy. Apart from that we didn't do a lot, Friday was washing day which always takes an age with my little twin tub. If I win the lottery I'm having a boat with enough space and power to have an automatic!

We went for lunch at Bob and Babs on Saturday, I think Ray chose Saturday so he could watch the QPR match on the tele. We had a good catch up on the chat and a nice lunch, Bob kindly gave us a lift back to Rousebarn bridge so we didn't have as far to walk back.  I tried out my solar torch on the way back along the towpath, definitely easier than our wind-up one.

Today we did the trip down to Batchworth moorings, we have had one eye on the weather for a few days. so far there hasn't been any sign of ice but the forecast isn't very good. At least we are now within walking distance of everything we need if the freeze does come. It isn't forecast to be a long spell of cold weather anyway. Compared to the past few days there seemed to be quite a few boats on the move, most were just heading for the waterpoints to fill up in case they got frozen in but there were a couple who were actually travelling.

We will be on the stretch between here and Bull's Bridge until mid March as the various lock closures mean that Batchworth is the furthest north services that we can reach until then.

Today's journey 3.8 miles and 4 locks

This year we have travelled 28.7 miles, 55 locks and 2 swing bridges

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2107.2 miles, 1815 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Cassiobury Park

Today we headed down to Cassiobury Park as planned. We had our boats logged by the patrol officer while we were in Iron Bridge Lock. He commented that we 'get around a bit' so I don't know where we were last spotted. I'm sure we will get logged a few times over the next couple of months as we don't intend moving very far.

At times today the rather bright wintery sunshine made steering difficult, it's much easier if you can see where you are going! At least it wasn't a long journey. There seems to be a reasonable amount of windfall wood about so we can stock up a bit. The weather forecast is for some cold weather, maybe snow, so we want to make sure we have a good supply.

We are visiting Bob and Babs on Saturday and will head down to Batchworth on Sunday. We'll probably do a quick trip into Watford either tomorrow or Friday as well. I'll probably pay my brother a visit sometime while we are down near Batchworth, it's easy enough on the train from Rickmansworth.

Today's journey 0.8 miles and 3 locks

This year we have travelled 24.9 miles, 51 locks and 2 swing bridges

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2103.4 miles, 1811 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

A night at The Grove

We managed to get further than we planned today, although it was overcast it was dry and very mild, so it was a fairly pleasant journey.

 Before we left Hemel Hempstead Ray did a quick garage visit to fill up our petrol cans for the generator and I did a quick dash to Sainsburys for a couple of bits I forgot yesterday. I can claim to have started my Christmas shopping, 2 packs of 4 rolls of wrapping paper with ribbon and bows for 50p each, bargain!!

Yesterday and today I have spent most of my time on the tiller and let Ray work the locks and as a result my back is a lot easier and I'm much better tempered, I do tend to get irritable when I'm in pain. It has worked quite well for Ray as he is less cold working the locks than standing on the boat. I think role reversal is in order for the winter months.

We had a minimum target of Kings Langley for today but managed to get as far as the Grove, someone is moored in our favourite spot so we have had to moor quite close to the bridge. I don't really like to be this close to the bridge and the bend as sometimes people approach too fast and you end up getting bumped but there aren't many people on the move and it's only an overnight stop.

We will head for Cassiobury Park tomorrow and try and visit Bob and Babs before heading down to Batchworth at the weekend. After that we will start taking advantage of our 14 day mooring rights for a couple of months and get some maintenance and craft work done until the system is fully open again and we head off for this year's adventures.

Today's journey 4.8 miles and 9 locks

This year we have travelled 24.1 miles, 48 locks and 2 swing bridge

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2102.6 miles, 1808 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Hemel Hempstead

We decided to ring Phil before we moved today and as he was only three locks behind us we went an lent a hand to get him through. We decided to share locks as far as Hemel with him so he did our diesel fill in the lock as we travelled.

We had a good journey, I mucked him up a bit at Boxmoor Lock by managing to end up diagonally in the lock but him managed to slide in beside me without any major bumps! He had a couple of customers below Boxmoor so we took his rubbish off him and headed on alone to the services. Ray stayed behind at the next lock to reset it for Hyperion and I went and moored and got rid of the rubbish. By the time we were sorted and the lock was ready Phil had caught up with us so we went down together then parted company, him to head for Kings Langley and us for the shoppers moorings by Sainsburys.

We are overnighting here and will carry on southwards tomorrow.


Today's journey 2 miles, 6 locks and 1 swing bridge

This year we have travelled 19.3 miles, 39 locks and 2 swing bridge

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2097.8 miles, 1799 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Lots of water

We had a rest day yesterday, I did a bit of shopping in Berkhampstead, charity shops shouldn't have half price sales! I was glad they did, I picked up two M&S Per Una skirts, in excellent condition. I also visited the craft shop but for once didn't spend much money, not that I have a lot this soon after Christmas,

Phil came past on Hyperion, he was doing a very quick run across the summit and down through Marsworth and back before tomorrow's stoppage, so he is going to do our diesel fill on the way back He hadn't got back before we left but I'm sure he will catch up with us.

The canal is very full, several locks had water flowing over the top gates and the pound above Winkwell Top Lock was over the towpath at one bridge. There was so much water flowing into the lock that even after a long wait there was still a waterfall coming over the top gates and Ray enlisted the help of some walkers to lend some weight in order to open the bottom gate.

We have moored for the night between Winkwell Middle Lock and the swing bridge. Tomorrow we intend to reach Hemel Hempstead and should reach Cassiobury Park by Thursday.


Today's journey 2.5 miles and 8 locks


This year we have travelled 17.3 miles, 33 locks and 1 swing bridge

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2095.8 miles, 1793 locks, 112 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Berkhampstead

We decided to continue our journey southwards, waiting for the open day at Bulbourne meant hanging around for longer than we usually do, even in winter. Unless we are doing the rounds of visiting or the weather is bad of course.

We rang Phil but didn't get a reply so sent him a text and filled a can at Cowroast just to be on the safe side. He sent us a message later to say he was at Apsley heading north so we should see him tomorrow.

We had an easy journey down to Berkhampstead, we shared the locking and the steering. We only met one boat at the top Dudswell Lock, there don't seem to be as many moored boats as in the past.

Day off tomorrow, then we will head to Winkwell on Sunday.


Today's journey 3.9 miles and 7 locks


This year we have travelled 14.8 miles, 25 locks and 1 swing bridge

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2093.3 miles, 1785 locks, 112 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Downhill from now on

We made a late start today, my excuse is that I was suffering from shock after QPR beat Chelsea last night.

We stopped at the facilities to dump our rubbish etc, then headed up through the Marsworth Locks. It was another grey day today but very mild and dry. There were a couple of other boats on the move, one ahead of us going up and one we met at the first lock heading for the Aylesbury Arm.

When we reached Bulbourne I discovered that where I had planned to moor has been designated as winter moorings for permit holders only. I'm not sure what the situation is if you overnight on an unoccupied winter mooring, but I couldn't pretend I didn't realise as there was a notice right where I intended to stop. As we were denied our preferred spot we carried on across Tring summit and moored approaching Cowroast. Unless Hyperion is heading in this direction we will have to stop for fuel at Cowroast Marina, which will probably be expensive. It's very strange, here we have no television or radio signal, the phone isn't very good but the internet is perfect.

We are trying to decide whether to carry on southwards or hang around and head back to Bulbourne for the Open Day, a week on Sunday, we'll probably make our minds up tomorrow.

Today's journey 2.8 miles and 7 locks

This year we have travelled 10.9 miles, 18 locks and 1 swing bridge


In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2089.4 miles, 1779 locks, 112 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

The journey continues

Yesterday was obviously the best of the weather, today dawned grey and overcast. As we started to cruise the skies were what I call mizzling, that very fine rain that you can't see falling but leaves a damp mist on your glasses so you can't see a darned thing.

We made our way through the second Ivinghoe lock and caught up with NB Heron, who had just left their mooring, at the first of the Seabrook Locks, they had already started to fill the lock but re-emptied it so we could join them. We shared locks with them as far as Marsworth, by which time it was starting to rain properly, so we moored and they headed for the facilities before winding and heading back.

We spent the evening making a vague plan of where we are heading this year, the only definite thing being that we intend to be in Leeds for Christmas.

Today's journey 2.7 miles, 6 locks and 1 swing bridge

This year we have travelled 8.1 miles, 11 locks and 1 swing bridge

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2086.7 miles, 1772 locks, 112 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Happy New Year

After  a long stay around Leighton Buzzard we moved on today. It wasn't a very early start, hardly surprising as last night was New Year's Eve.

The day was dry and bright, the breeze had a distinct bite to it but it was pleasant cruising weather. We have five days to get through Marsworth Locks before the closure which should be easy providing the weather holds. We didn't see anyone else moving today, perhaps they were all recovering from last night, although we did meet one boater at Slapton Lock who had been travelling ahead of us and stopped for the day. The ground is very waterlogged with many ponds in fields that never used to have them!

We are moored in the pound between the two Ivinghoe Locks, it was the fact that we could use mooring hooks that encouraged us to stop here. We have seen too many mooring pins pull out of the ground because it is so soft in the past couple of weeks. We hope to reach the visitor moorings at Marsworth tomorrow.

Today's journey 5.4 miles and 5 locks

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

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 2084 miles, 1766 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels