Monday 24th March - Bulbourne Bridge 133 to Lock 53 Berkhamsted
A slow start this morning, the first thing we wanted to do was pootle down to the water point and fill up with water. A boat had just hooked up his water hose so we sat and waited, had a coffee and after an hour or so filled our tank and moved on. We then followed a wide beam boat all the way to the first lock. Once he was through we were joined by nbLady Stardust, another narrowboat so we were able to share the locks.
When we were in the lock I spotted this cormorant sitting at the top of the tree, I had seen it swimming and diving in the canal a few minutes before I took this.
We are approaching Berkhamsted and I loved this highly decorated bridge welcoming us to The Port of Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted was once a busy inland port and the centre of boat building activity,
The two boats lining up to enter a lock, working two boats through a wide lock halves the amount of work for the crew and saves on the amount of water used to fill and empty a lock.6 miles, 8 locks, 6hrs 12mins
Tuesday 25th March - Berkhamsted to Boxmoor
This genuine Canadian totem pole is located next to the Grand Union canal in Berkhamsted. Commissioned by William John Alsford from the Canadian First Nations artist, Henry Hunt, as a thank you to Vancouver Island locals for saving his brother, it was erected in 1968 and stands at a whopping 9m tall. Made of western red cedar it is one of just a few totem poles in the UK.
I love the look of this building, all sorts of interesting little items dotted around the balcony, the area beside the canal and in the rooms on both sides of the main building.
Another ornate bridge as we left Berkhamsted.
We then managed to pick up another narrowboat to share the locks with and we went all the way down to Hemel Hempstead. He was a solo boater heading towards a mooring in Hackney.
We moored up before Hemel Hempstead near Boxmoor. Jules Fuels passed us and we bought diesel from him. A stunning pair of boats carrying all the different types of fuel you could possibly want.
3.25 miles, 10 locks, 4hrs 18mins
Wednesday 26th March - Boxmoor to Hunton Bridge
A very gentle start to the day followed by a gentle meander down the first 6 locks.
Then we spotted in the distance at the next lock the same solo boater from yesterday, so we teamed up again and went down the next three locks together.Dave discovered that he is an A&E doctor working at Queen Elizabeth’s in Woolwich on a sabbatical for 4 months extended to 8 months because he got stuck on the Thames last year in all the storms. Due back to work on Monday - wish him all the best!
We moored up for the night at Hunton Bridge and went for a wander into the town and stopped to have some lunch before returning to the boat.
A pair of Roe Deer on the side of the canal opposite where we are moored and below the trainline. The male is on the right, the female on the left, stunning!
4.5 miles, 9 locks, 3hrs 30mins
Thursday 27th March - Hunton Bridge to Cassiobury Park
A later start this morning, we are only going a short way. We discovered yesterday the Teddington Lock on the River Thames is closed for repair until 9th April. That means we have some extra time on this canal. We have decided to spend a few days in London and have booked a mooring in Paddington Basin from 2nd April.
Our first sighting of a Mandarin Duck. Originally bought as pets in private gardens, they soon escaped and began living in the wild. They originate from Eastern Asia and are flourishing here in the UK.
This is Bridge 164 and the local landowner requested that it was ornamented, it provides access to the Grove, now a five-star hotel, home to a luxurious spa, four restaurants and a championship golf course.
Although the current mill dates back to the 19th century, a mill is believed to have been in operation at the time of the Domesday Book, one of four water mills in the manor of Cassio.The manor of Grove had a mill in 1294-5; in 1631-2 there were two mills here under one roof. It is now converted to accommodation.
We came down through the last lock of the day and moored up in Cassiobury park. Very quiet and peaceful. We went for a walk around Cassiobury Park and found a miniature railway, opening in time for the Easter Holidays. We also found a cafe which wouldn’t allow Toby inside so we bought cake to take away, yum!
I love the new leaves as they open up, this is a horse chestnut with the leaves just breaking out of the buds. They are still folded downwards and the white flowers are just beginning to form above the leaves. A sure sign spring is on its way.
This was the last lock we came through and it took half an hour to fill enough for us to open the gates so I could enter the lock. This boat is going up the lock and the lady owner couldn't open the gates on her own, so Dave went and helped her. The slowest lock we have encountered so far!
2.25 miles, 6 locks, 2hrs 48mins
Friday 28th March - Cassiobury Park to Rickmansworth
A bright sparkly day and we set off for Rickmansworth via the water tap, which was extremely slow! So gave up and moved on, knowing there was another tap on the way down into Rickmansworth.
We passed this converted lifeboat, we have seen orange ones before but this is the first blue one. It is an oil rig lifeboat.
Signs we are close to London, the bridge in the distance is carrying the Metropolitan Line overground to its terminus in Watford. How exciting! We have just come through the lock into Rickmansworth and the service point is directly below the lock. A boat is already putting on water but there are 2 taps so we tuck in behind and fill our water tank. There used to be rubbish disposal but the bin men didn't like reversing down the road to empty the bins and they have been moved a long way back near the hotel!
All the way down, past Tesco’s, there was a continuous line of boats and we didn't think we were going to be able to moor. We went down through Stockers Lock and found a delightful mooring opposite Stockers Farm where there are some handsome weatherboarded barns and stables.
Once we had moored up we walked back along the towpath and into Rickmansworth to do some shopping.
3.75 miles, 5 locks, 2hrs 26mins
Saturday 29th March - Stockers Lock
As we have a few spare days before heading into London we have decided to stay on this morning for a couple of days. We went for a little walk around Stocker’s Lake where there are a lot of water sports taking place. This is part of Rickmansworth Aquadrome, a leisure area developed from flooded gravel workings.
Another tree developing its fresh green coat.
This is the Nomad Kayak Club with its canoe polo pitch. The squads have played in every division of the national league with many successes. Over the years the players have been seen competing across the UK and Europe.
Sunday 30th March - Stockers Lock
A beautiful warm sunny day and a lovely quiet Sunday in the sunshine.
Such a lovely day that I decided to bbq the pork chops we bought from the butcher in town. Pork chops, courgettes and onions served with buttered cabbage, delicious!
Dave on the towpath, enjoying the sunshine and agonising over whether to move the boat to Denham tomorrow or just stay where we are. Such a difficult decision!
Dinner is served, Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers out there. Hope you all had a wonderful day!
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