Thursday 21 February 2013

Bull's Bridge and back


Yesterday we left the Slough Arm and travelled south as far as the junction with the Paddington Arm at Bull's Bridge. After taking advantage of the moorings beside Tesco so we could pick up some heavier bits of shopping we turned around and headed back northwards. It's only just over a couple of weeks until the locks are scheduled to reopen and we can be on our travels again.

The weather has turned very cold again but thankfully we haven't encountered any more ice. We met Phil, on Hyperion (our coal boat) just below Cowley Lock. He was heading south to stock up so he's going to stop and fuel us up on his way back. We moored last night below Cowley Lock then headed northwards up through Cowley and Uxbridge Locks and moored for the night between there and Denham Deep Lock. We had hoped to go a bit further but the wind was so cold that sitting by the fire seemed a much better option.

While we have been cruising I have seen all sorts of wild life but here is something I didn't expect to see on the Grand Union.


Parrots



Yes, parrots, when we first saw them there were seven or eight in the tree, not what you expect to see flying free in Uxbridge.

Two day's journey 10.1 miles and 2 locks

This year we have travelled 57.6 miles, 65 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 2136.1 miles, 1825 locks, 111 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

1 comment:

  1. Well done for doing the Slough arm! We used to moor half way along it and still have a soft spot for it. It is lovely in Spring - except for the last bits of course :-)
    The birds are probably parakeets. There is a largish flock of them that seem to be based around Kensal Green and can be seen for quite a distance. If you head towards London look out for the terrapins as well.
    Kath (nb Herbie)

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