Still here and a narrow escape

Just in case anyone is wondering why we have been so quiet for the last week and a half I thought I better explain. Our plan was to stay here until about last Tuesday and then head for Aylesbury but we talked to Phil, our coal boat, and he was expecting to get here on Thursday so we decided to wait so we didn't miss him as he doesn't go down the Aylesbury Arm. Then, on Thursday, this happened at lock 12 on the Aylesbury Arm.

There isn't any official explanation of what happened but the general consensus of opinion is that the ground became so waterlogged that the extra weight was more than the lock wall could support and it collapsed.

If we hadn't changed our plans we would probably have been in Aylesbury, trapped the wrong side of this and it isn't something that is gong to be fixed quickly. Worse still we could have been in that lock when it collapsed. 

After Phil caught up with us and we had stocked up on everything we decided not to do battle with all the bank holiday weekend boaters so we are still in Berkhampsted and planning to move on Tuesday. With the Aylesbury Arm off the itinerary we will now head for Braunston, though we may explore the mile and a half of the Wendover Arm that is navigable on the way.

Berkhampstead for now

We had a lazy day yesterday,then headed for Berkhampstead today. Even though yesterday was the Spring Equinox there is little sign of spring anywhere. We have seen a few snowdrops but the daffodils are still in bud, the willows are beginning to have a hint of green rather than brown but there is snow forecast for Saturday. We could be staying here a few days.

It was a 'five layer' day on the tiller today, Ray stayed a bit warmer as he was lock wheeling. We stopped at Winkwell for some coal as Phil is still along way south of us, we're OK for gas and diesel but needed coal especially with the weather forecast.

We have moored between Ravens Lane and Berkhampstead Locks as we were told that the moorings by Waitrose are fairly full. It's a bit noisy here because of the railway but at least there is the park for the cats.

We treated ourselves to fish and chips tonight, the fire is blazing and we are now toasty warm.

Today's journey 3 miles, 10 locks and 1 swing bridge

This year we have travelled 77.4 miles, 101 locks and 3 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 2155.9 miles, 1862 locks, 114 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Sainsbury stop and shop

Today's journey was shorter but we had a longer day, mainly because of our shopping trip. Our fridge is only just staying cold enough so we are having to shop more frequently, I shall be glad when we get to Braunston, hopefully we will be able to get it sorted then.

We did the usual water/rubbish/loo routine at the services at Apsley Lock then headed up to Boxmoor for the night. We have a very shallow draught but even we couldn't manage to moor on one stretch, I ran aground.

We have decided to head down the Aylesbury Arm as a detour before we head for Braunston, after that it will be Rugby for the Continuous Cruiser meeting then turn around to head south to Oxford. All that could change of course.


Today's journey 2.8 miles and 6 locks

This year we have travelled 74.4 miles, 91 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 2152.9 miles, 1852 locks, 113 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Off on our travels

After a very rainy birthday on Saturday and an equally rainy Sunday we started our serious cruising for 2013 today. The weather wasn't brilliant but at least we stayed dry. We had thought we might go as far as Hemel Hempstead but decided that, as the cats haven't had a lot of fun with the wet weather, we would stop between Kings Langley and Hemel so they could enjoy some freedom.

Iron Bridge Lock looking rather smart with its new top gates and it no longer leaks like a sieve, well not from the top gates anyway, the bottom gates still leak.The towpath is still waterlogged from all the recent rain so boots were the order of the day.

It was a fairly easy journey, apart from one boat at Iron Bridge Lock, and a breasted up pair at Home Park Lock we had the canal to ouirselves.

Today's journey 4.2 miles and 9 locks

This year we have travelled 71.6 miles, 85 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 2150.1 miles, 1846 locks, 113 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Nearly time to go wandering

We have now done our family visits and celebrations here in the south. I eventually got round to visiting my brother last week and we went for a meal to celebrate Bob and Babs golden wedding anniversary last Sunday. It was good to catch up with everyone, it will probably be about eighteen months before we are down this way again as the plan is to be on the Leeds and Liverpool next winter. We spent a few days on the moorings at Batchworth, then moved to Cassiobury park on Wednesday.

As we left Batchworth it started to snow, only a few flurries apart from that it was quite  pleasant cruise. As we were working through Cassiobridge Lock  it started to get windy so we were glad to moor up. We went to see Bob and Babs in the evening and I was glad Bob came and collected us as there was a blizzard for about an hour.

Yesterday we walked into Watford so Ray could do some birthday present shopping. I intend to have a lazy day tomorrow to celebrate my birthday then hopefully we will be on the move. I must get back into regular blogging mode.


Since my last blog we have travelled 3.7 miles and 5 locks

This year we have travelled 67.4 miles, 76 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 2145.9 miles, 1836 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

Catching up

We set off from Uxbridge in snow flurries late on February 22nd, no parakeets (thanks everyone who told me they aren't parrots) around then morning. As we headed up towards Denham Deep Lock we spotted Amadeus coming up behind us so we had company for one lock. As we were heading up through Widewater Lock the lock wheeler from the Water Bus caught up with us on his bike, they were following us but it was a bit too cold to hang around waiting for them and I didn't feel guilty about not waiting for them as there isn't a shortage of water at the moment.

We moored for a few days below Springwell then moved back up to below Stockers last Wednesday. Nothing exciting happening, just hanging around. Just in case anyone here catches a report of a boat sinking in Batchworth Lock today,don't panic it wasn't us.

Since my post we have travelled 6.1 miles and 5 locks


This year we have travelled 63.7 miles, 71 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 2142.2 miles, 1831 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels