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Tim

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Blog Entries posted by Tim

  1. Tim

    Friday 11th June

    By Tim,

    Dull and overcast this morning, but soon cheered up with a very nice bacon roll! A steady plod along the 6 miles and up the 3 locks to Lechlade, as good as on our own again, at St Johns lock just before lechlade we were the first boat through this morning and it was now 11.00! We were amused by the tame ducks at Buscot lock, apparantly the keeper was feeding them in march when the weather was bad and they kept coming back. The wildlife this morning extended to another kingfisher and a curlew. Went to the head of navigation and struggled to turn in the silt, we were tied up by 12.00 A walk about and a spot of lunch in the New Inn, a lazy afternoon then a walk back to the lock, the Trout Inn there was closed! so a walk back into Lechlade for drinks at the Crown, a microbrewery, offering trays of 1/3rd pint glasses for you to to try the 6 beers on offer! I quite liked the Thames tickle. To the fish & chip shop to collect dinner, then return to boat to consume - there was about 300 tons of chips so we had a few and discovered that the swans, ducks etc quite like them too, so they had the rest! Washed one side of the boat after the cows in the field decided to lick it - yuck! And fixed the bed frame which was falling apart. After lunch the day brightened up and became nice and sunny, first for a couple of days!
  2. Tim

    Monday 17th May

    By Tim,

    Day 4! First on the agenda - Cosgrove lock, had a chat with the mooring warden as we descended, she's not too happy with life, so a speedy exit was made! Through Wolverton and the mural, some of it now defaced by graffiti, a shame. Then through the conglomorate that is Milton Keynes, a surprisingly pleasant cruise, and a really nice cottage at Great Linford, I could live there! Stopped at the Pear Tree Inn for a couple of jars at lunchtime, beer was ok but I shan't be rushing to return! Then onwards to Fenny Compton lock by the New Inn, I remember being in there years ago - a dire place! Through the isolated Stoke Hammond and then to Soulbury and the three locks, up we went, a bit confused by setting the lock ahead - we kind of lost our rhythm, never mind, tied up at the top intending to return for dinner. Watched a Wyvern hire boat get stuck on the bend, it took them a while to get moving again. I took pity on them and did my good samaritan bit for the day and helped them down the locks, they were Israeli and seemed glad of the help. So, back to boat to collect Dave and into the pub. A nice couple of pints and a pizza for dinner, not great, but adequate! Back to boat again, Dave fishing and me moaning about quality of internet connection! Nothing changes! Feeling the sun again today, been very lucky with the weather so far, it must be waiting for a flight of locks!!
  3. Tim
    And before I realise it's happened, I'm down the Napton flight (a few boats about) and back to Napton Junction to complete the Thames Ring (perhaps I should have brought champagne?) Weather is cloudy, but warmish, then I arrive at a deserted Calcutt Top Lock, only to find it very busy for the other 2, in fact I don't really have to get off the boat as the other boat has plenty of crew. And back into Ventnor Farm to start cleaning up and packing, in fact I'd just cleaned one side of the boat and it started raining! So I started sorting the inside.
     
    Some thoughts:
    It's been a great trip with lots of different company.
    I've done about 500 miles and 300 locks in some 200 hours of cruising!
    I didn't manage to to the Slough Arm or the Stort, but took in the Wendover Arm! Need an excuse to go back!
    All the lock keepers on the Thames were great, except the miserable bugger at Goring!
    Not impressed with BW not turning up to Old Ford Lock when we were stuck.
    Not a hint of any potential banditry.
    Met a lot of friendly fellow boaters.
    Not a single lock stolen, and a large % of boats slowing down when passing.
    I'll not forget the strange fisherman on day 2.
    The very near miss with Vitality on the Thames.
    And I'll always remember passing through the centre span of Tower Bridge!
  4. Tim

    Thursday 17th June

    By Tim,

    Started the day off with a bang! Bashed my head on the underside of the hatch - ouch! don't remember ever doing that before! 07.30 and away I go, not meeting another boat until the middle Claydon lock, and the second at the top! Canal as shallow as ever, only met 2 oncoming boats in the long narrow bit, but it got a bit more exciting just beyond Fenny Compton wharf, NB Carrow (deep draught) pulled away in front of me at the other side of the bridge and made very slow progress by all the moored boats, I had to keep taking the boat out of gear from tickover just to keep some manouvering room. Another boat joined the convoy, then we met 3 coming the other way at a bend, full of moored boats - I really enjoyed it, had to use a bit of skill for once! Carrow let us by at the first straight bit, then I tied up on the North side of Wormleighton (Napton on the hill in sight) for a spot of lunch, and the night it turned out! Did some engine checks and adjusted the alternator belts, then read, internetted and whiled away the remains of the day - a slight headache, not booze for once, but the rude awakening I think!
  5. Tim

    Wednesday 16th June

    By Tim,

    Ok, I'm officially insane! Set off at 0630, couldn't help myself, latest book was finished and there wasn't a cloud in site! Aynho weir lock is another weirdly shaped one making the boat difficult to handle, but very shallow, so not too bad! Went through Nell bridge and King's Sutton locks before I saw another boat on the move! They were all cooking breakfast and the like! Really good that all the lift bridges along this part of the canal are left up! So, tied up in Banbury at 10.30, would have got water but both taps were in use, even though I had stacks of time I just couldn't be arsed to wait! Went to M&S for milk and a couple of bits and pieces and couldn't help myself in Waterstones!, then on return, noticed the poo tank red light was on! Wasn't expecting that! So change of plan and cruised the 400 yards to Sovereign Wharf for pump out and diesel, only to find they don't take cards, so now I've only £5.15 left - may have to raid the stig! Decided to cruise on a bit and ended up in Cropredy! Having watered and refused at the sanitary station, called in at the shop for a bottle of white wine - I just fancied some! And marvelled that the Mill Cottage which we really like is looking more derelict than ever. I would really like to live here! Didn't feel too hungry so just nibbled at stuff instead of dinner, then got stuck into my latest Waterstones aquisitions!
  6. Tim

    Tuesday 15th June

    By Tim,

    Hmmm - 0730 again! Still, It'll stand me in good stead for the much dreaded return to work on Monday. A very pleasant looking morning, becoming more cloudy as it wore on. Had the canal to myself (surprise surprise!) Found a boat untied, but couldn't do anything and a naked bloke on the side of his boat - he disappeared when he saw me approaching! then at Lower Heyford, lucky me meets an oncoming boat at the lift bridge, no balancing act with the boathook! Then at Allens, Heyford Common and Somerton Deep locks, I had my first proper lock delay since Thames Lock when entering the Wey some 2 weeks ago, the only other that i can remember was on the GU about 4 weeks ago, a great time of year to cruise methinks. It's a good thing to have lots of boats around when single handing, they always take pity and help lots! Managed to cajole a towpath walker into opening Chisnell Lift bridge for me, and found myself at Aynho in time for a lunchtime pint in the Great Western, don't know why, but I really like the place. Had the other half of yesterdays casserole with a jacket spud for dinner and read yet another book!! Boy am I looking forward to Monday!
  7. Tim

    Monday 14th June

    By Tim,

    And it rained - most of the evening and some of the night! I set off at 7.30 (I do mad things when I'm single handing!) with it looking like it had more rain to offer, but it held off! Cruised the last remaining couple of miles of Thames to Kings Lock, where I turned left at the top into Dukes Cut, passing the lines of queuing cars off to real life. I saw the remains of the fallen tree that had closed the cut a few days ago and went into the stop lock - my first narrow lock of the trip, shortly followed by the second as it's immediately after the turn onto the Oxford Canal. Then came a new challenge! How the 'F' do you single hand a lift bridge (remember the balance beam is on the opposite side to the towpath! Answer, prop it open with the boathook and be very careful! Challenge over - through Kidlington I went, and as I approached Kidlington Green lock, it looked like the heavens were going to open, so I stopped well before the lock intending to moor to wait it out! As I jumped off, it didn't look quite so bad, so on through the lock I went. Thrupp is very pretty and has a dreaded lift bridge, but another boat arriving at the same time is the prefered method of operation. The rain holds off and I end up - after the awkward Shipton Weir Lock (it's sort of hexagonal in shape and is difficult to control the boat) in a quiet spot near Tackley. no boats, nobody on the towpath! A superb spicy lamb casserole for dinner and lots of reading. Back on the narrow canals, definitely on the way home!
  8. Tim

    Sunday 13th June

    By Tim,

    A lie in listening to the rain! Which soon stops. Penny packs her bags, a bit of a sort out in the boat and we move the couple of hundred yards to tie up outside the Rose Revived. Kim duly arrives, I take another beer and we have lunch in the sunshine. Kim and Penny return to the real world and I'm all alone! So, an afternoon cruise to about 1/2 a mile below Eynsham Lock on something that might be a mooring! It shows one in Nicholsons and there's no 'no mooring' sign and the arrival of the farmer is probably halted by the most prolonged torrential rain I've had in 4 weeks! A really nice Thai Red Curry which we were going to have last night now reading and blog updating. I also rough out a plan for the next week - Only 48 miles and 41 locks remain! And back into canalworld tomorrow as only about 3 miles of Thames remain.
  9. Tim

    Saturday 12th June

    By Tim,

    Hmmm late posting today as I got back to the boat last night after beer and nearly 2 bottles of wine! So now I'm struggling to remember yesterday! Weather was cool and windy to start, but the day got better as it went on. Wildlife count was 2 curlews and 2 kingfishers today, we also got to see the red arrows who appeared to be in the vicinity of Fairford. A couple of cows tried to get onto the boat during the night, a noisy process in which they didn't succeed, they did manage some more lick marks after it's washing of yesterday afternoon. Uneventful cruise to Newbridge, where we first tried the Maybush, but settled in the Rose Revived for the evening - I had to return to boat to put the defrosting chicken back into the fridge, the menu looked good! Emily and Gareth joined us for dinner, the mixed grill being very nice thank you, then the football and all the beer and wine - I think it was a good evening!
  10. Tim

    Thursday 10th June

    By Tim,

    And away we go again, very overcast, chilly, windy and looking distinctly like it's going to pour down at any minute! But, undaunted (me anyway!) we head off towards Lechlade. Uneventful cruising, it's like we're the only boat on the river! At Eynsham lock we discover that Dukes Cut is closed due to a fallen tree, hopefully it'll be cleared before I need to muse it on Monday, otherwise it's a 6 mile detour! The river is now very Wey like, trees, fields and twisty turny, in fact it's a bit samey the further you travel up it, hard to distinguish one bit from another! Shared our first locks for some time (Shifford and Radcot) last one was Goring I think! I know we took our first weekend hire boat along here, but I've no recollection of any of it, absolutely no bells ringing at all! Anyway, the rain just about stays away and we tie up on the limited moorings at Radcot. I conjure up a really nice vegetable curry for dinner and look forward to a couple of short days ahead, and the misery of losing Penny and having to single hand back to Ventnor Farm.
  11. Tim

    Wednesday 9th June

    By Tim,

    And the day probably dawned, if we could have seen it that is! It's raining, can't complain, been out for nearly 4 weeks and had the umbrella up for less than 30 minutes in total, not bad methinks! So, through Clifton Lock, the first one we've done fully ourselves (before 9.00 so self service) Then by the proposed site for the Wilts and Berks canal junction, on on into Abingdon by the original junction site. Abingdon looked quite nice from the river's perspective, don't know why, but I was under the impression it was a bit of a dump! Wrong - again! I'll stop here when passing next time, plenty of moorings. It tried to rain, but didn't really get going so eventually stopped. Pulled in to Kingcraft for pump-out, diesel and water, then onwards towards Oxford. Uneventful apart from the total downpour as we entered Sandford Lock, then back to overcast and no moisture. Quite interesting passing by all of the various university boathouses and some fond memories of the 22nd Oxford sea scouts! Up through Osney Lock and moored just above it, I remember coming through here on our first ever canal weekend trip, nearly 30 years ago I think! Anyway, no time to lose, so off for an interesting walk around the colleges, some great buildings, coffee in Starbucks, Prince Charles leaving some do, Sex in the City 2 (with Penny, I think it's rubbish!) picked up a pizza on the way back to Osney and another day is done!
  12. Tim

    Tuesday 8th June

    By Tim,

    It seemed to rain all night, but I think being moored under a tree may have contributed to this thinking, but it did rain a lot, indeed, it started again as I was about to get going, so we delayed this to about 10.00 when it seemed to have stopped. The final bit of all our yesterdays (I think!) I remember doing a walk a couple of times from Pangbourne to Goring, this is what we cruised first today. Goring very pretty, but the lock keeper definitely gets the most miserable to date award! All the others very happy in their work (I know I would be!) - the guy at Days Lock would have kept us there all day chatting! It rained for about 10 minutes during coffee (umbrella required) otherwise we yet again seemed to follow the gap in the clouds when everywhere else seemed to be getting a right soaking. The river getting a bit smaller now, lots of rowers out we tie up for the night just before another short shower at Clifton Hampden, our £3 mooring fee going to the local school.
  13. Tim

    Monday 7th June

    By Tim,

    Little bits of yesterday in today! Marlow to Pangbourne, through Henley, Wargrave & Reading, bits of the river frequented by me in many places in years gone by. Off around 8.30 or so and through Hurley, memories of Venture Scout canoeing here, then on through Hambledon, canoeing again and the many camps had in the area. Then stopped in Henley for lunch and a walk about, saw NB Hobo (the boat who accompanied us along the tideway the second time) and I forgot to say yesterday we also got waved at by the passing NB Galatea (the boat tied to us in Limehouse the first time). Shared Marsh Lock with a trip boat then on by yet more houses that must be worth many millions, including that of Paul Daniels. Cloudy and cooler today, but no sign of the wet stuff. Bumped into Hobo again at Sonning Lock, and shared this and Caversham Lock with them, before they tied up on their mooring their trip finished. Saw the Reading Blade Building - I've not noticed this before, must pay more attention! Then through a bit of less interesting river by Tilehurst, eventually to Pangbourne where finding a mooring as it started to rain was a bit of an effort, but thanks to the guy in the big plastic in front (self interest here I think!) we got it done without too much of a soaking.
  14. Tim

    Sunday 6th June

    By Tim,

    My fourth Sunday of the trip, but alas the penultimate one! A bit strange today, passing through all those places where I've previously spent many hours on the bank, so to speak. Windsor to Maidenhead, where I walked on my scout standard 6 mile hike, the sounding arch at Maidenhead where I spent many hours with my Father fishing for barbel, passing within a mile or so of where I was born in Taplow, Maidenhead to Cookham where I remember walking with a girl from school, Formosa Island where we spent some time at the scout camp site, Cookham Dean up on the hill where I spent my first couple of years in a caravan behind the jolly farmer, and onto Marlow where we stopped for the night, passing the Longridge scout boating centre where many more good times were had. Today we saw more cormorants, some kingfishers and red kites. We gave Stephen, Tessa and family a short trip from the sounding arch to the top of boulters lock, passed through the mayhem of the dinghy races at Cookham and Bourne End. Lost control of the boat in boulters lock, went for a walk around Marlow and sent Tom and Tasha home. Chicken Dopiaza for dinner and peace and quiet. And last but not least, not a hint of the promised rain - a bit special today.
  15. Tim

    Saturday 5th June

    By Tim,

    Last day on the Wey! Just as hot as yesterday so the first couple of hours before the sun really gets up are very pleasant. Tom and Tasha very keen to get on with the few remaining Wey locks, Penny just sat and watched! Through Thames Lock with no delays this time and back out onto the Thames and the left turn to Shepperton Lock. No problems handling the boat in the enormous Thames Locks and plain sailing to Staines where we tied up for a rest and lunch and ice cream. Onwards through Bell Weir Lock, a bit of a drama though as a narrowboat at the front broke loose and the keeper had to drop the paddles to allow it to be retied, he also took the opportunity to give a small cruiser a bollocking over being overloaded! Onwards by Windsor Great Park and views of the castle and Eton College and we find a mooring opposite the Windsor wheel, a very busy bit of river this, trip boats, party boats, rowing boats and all sorts!. Off for a stroll about, a ride on the wheel (to try to get an overhead of the boat) a drink in a nearby hostelry and back for a spag bol for dinner, at least it's cooled down a bit! Rain tomorrow - we'll see?
  16. Tim

    Friday 4th June

    By Tim,

    Up early and the news from home regarding the overflow is not good! So off to find a taxi to go and sort it out. £90 later and the ball valve tied up (it's the central heating header tank!) I'm helping Penny with the Sainsburys shopping trolley and having a chat with Isander who tied up on the service dock next to us. So, rubbished, watered and Sainsburyed we set off just after 10 to find the Farncombe day boat training session taking place at Catteshall lock. We watch and wait very patiently and exit the lock sometime after 10.30. We share the locks to Millmead with a variety of day boats, then are back on our own from Stoke lock. Boy it's a real hot one again, I think about stopping at Cartbridge, but not much space there, so carry on. We catch a boat at Papercourt lock and share with it all the way to Pyrford. They headed for the marina and we tied up just down from the Anchor. We found a table in the shade and consumed a number of shandy's while waiting for our weekend crew to arrive. This that duly did (Tom and Tasha) and Emily also joined us for a drink and something to eat. A good meal in a nice spot, then return to boat for further drinks and a game of Top Gear Desktop Car Football (my birthday present from Tom) I think I prefer the bottle of port he bought me too - right, I'm off to open it, I may be some time!!
  17. Tim

    Thursday 3rd June

    By Tim,

    Up we get and not a cloud in sight - again! A pretty river, twisting and turning, the trees and fields hiding the everpresent suberbia of Woking and Guildford. Newark Priory was a very interesting looking ruin. Through Guildford and a welcome ice cream at Millmead lock and on towards Godalming. Removed plants and cans from the roof for the very low Broadford Bridge, a chat with the Harley Davidson girls taking a lunch break at Unstead lock, at least I know where to go and get an MOT now. And at last Godalming. A bit of a struggle to get moored, but we sorted something in the end, and it's quite handy for Sainsburys! Penny's Dad arrived and off we went to the bel and the dragon for drinks and a very nice meal and news from home that one of the overflows has gone a bit mental. It's a converted church and very well done inside. Back to the boat to show them around, some more drinks and chat, a good evening.
  18. Tim

    Wednesday 2nd June

    By Tim,

    So the day dawns bright and clear! And off we go at 07.30 or so up the big wide river! Molesey and Sunbury locks, all narrowboats, you could get 9 to a lock!! Then Shepperton and the left turn for the Wey. Oddly, 6 boats arrive at Thames lock within 10 minutes of each other and it takes us nearly 2 hours from arriving to exit the lock, armed with expensive license and loaned windlass and instructions on how to handle your boat in a lock, I've only done several thousand so found this a bit strange! Anyway, along the Wey we go, ignoring the instructions and handling the boat as I always do without any problems. A pleasant river so far, something different again. Onwards to Pyrford Marina for a much needed pump-out, diesel and water to find no one there (out on a call-out!) so we wait (we have to!) and eventually we get serviced. Out and up another to locks to find a very pleasant tie-up, open pasture and peace! Along day due to waits for locks and service, but the heatwave seems to be back - better add more sun tan lotion to the shopping list!
  19. Tim

    Tuesday 1st June

    By Tim,

    A really good night's sleep, not getting up till after nine. Then off for a restock at Tesco, just as it's starting to rain! A walk round the whole basin, then back to the boat as it's raining a bit harder now. Time for me to catch up with the blog, and Penny knocks up a very tasty bacon and egg roll - yum! Lots of coffee, then the wait for our 14.00 departure. A Lee Valley hire boat ties up alongside - I didn't think hire boats were allowed on the tideway! What with VHF requirements and the like, but hey! that's none of my business. 14.00 duly arrives and into Limehouse lock we go for the second time! Three boats this time, me on the left, Hobo tied to me in the middle both going to Teddington under my VHF cover and the other on the right bound for Brentford! Just as rough as before and a major moment with the Thames Water Ship Vitality which moved right in front of us just before Tower Bridge, I was full astern and must have missed it by only a couple of metres!! Anyway, scary moment over and on through the centre arch again, that feels pretty good! The rest of the trip was much the same as before, cold, rainy spells, and much quieter after Westminster. We did take some water through the front cockpit drain holes as the doormat was soaked, I also saw a couple of waves break and splash onto the roof. I could keep going round and round doing this every few days, it's a brilliant trip. Next time though, I need to get brave and do Teddington to Limehouse! Saw some interesting wildlife on the islands between Brentford and Teddington, Many herons nesting and loads of parakeets. But all to soon we were through the Richmond tide barrier and approaching Teddington Locks, just as 6 plastic gin palaces went by, to make us wait a bit longer for the lock! Up we went and stopped on the overnight mooring above £7!!! It's a different world on the Thames! Compensated by me knocking up a fabulous Thai red curry for dinner.
  20. Tim

    Monday 31st May

    By Tim,

    Feeling a lot better than the previous morning, we have coffee and thanks to the wind being in our favour, wriggle out of the mooring, turn round and head back to Little Venice. It's very quiet, but it is only 08.00 or so. then along the Regents canal we go again! Lots of incredibly expensive looking houses and the towpath becoming increasingly busy as the day goes on. As we approach Actons Lock, there's a boat waiting for us, in the ensuing chat, they find out I'm heading back up the Thames and ask if they can come with me - they were planning to do the Lee / Stort, then return via Regents Canal and Brentford. They had a meeting on the way to Old Ford Lock, and decided to seize the moment and tag along (me having the required VHF and them (Hobo) not). So, to a much emptier Limehouse for the second time, plenty of space along the wall. Off to check with the Lockie for tomorrow's departure time (14.00) and to call London VTS (his recommendation) to inform them of our two boat convoy to Teddinton. Lunch and cake then goodbye to the guys for the time being, they go back to real life, I remain in fantasy land!! A tidy up, clean etc then off to Limehouse DLR to meet Penny. We co to Gordon Ramsey's 'The Narrow' for a drink, decide to have dinner - very tasty - but with Ramsey prices! never mind Penny paid. Oh, and we entered the quiz. It went on a bit and was quite hard, but we didn't come last, our main objective, about 6th out of 8 teams, but there was only two of us! Yet another good day with a second trip up the Thames to look forward to tomorrow!
  21. Tim

    Sunday 30th May

    By Tim,

    Happy Birthday Tim! Wake up with head ache, I'm not surprised! Unblock toilet, make tea / coffee, and up the Hanwell flight we go. A boat is going up a couple of locks ahead of us, so Stephen does a grand job walking ahead and setting them all for us, we need water, so the law of sod dictates that all the active boats need it too! Never mind, there's always the next one. Chris produces a most welcome set of bacon / sausage rolls for brunch, then law of sod applies for the second time as we start to turn into the Paddington Arm at Bull's Bridge, the only other boat about is coming the other way with the two boats on the water point watching the debacle!! anyway, we sort it out - a great fending off job by Chris and back down the Paddington Arm we go. We find our borrowed life jacket return boat at Willowtree, drop them off with much thanks and proceed to Greenford for water. Then a gentle cruise on into Little Venice / Paddington. A lot busier here than last week - bank holiday w/e perhaps? We managed to squeeze into the last available mooring in the basin, the two boats in front of not fancying it, then off for a wander, minor restock and ice creams from Sainsburys - it was quite pleasant out now, a check of the comedy pub, then to Praed Street for the pub's. A couple somewhere with a guy telling us about the cockroach in his mates burger (at least it was a whole one!) then a curry - very nice! Then another beer somewhere else, then one and some pool with Chris in the Dickens - the worlds longest pub apparently! (I can remember one of the names!) Then most of us were completely knackered, probably as a result of the previous night, so back to boat for a relatively early night - after coffee and birthday cake - thank you Liz! and a reasonable nights sleep.
  22. Tim

    Saturday 29th May

    By Tim,

    05.30 - Alarm clock goes off - ouch! A quick coffee and off the the station for the return trip to Limehouse, Wake new crew (Chris, Dave and Stephen) for tea, coffee etc and find out what happened at the SPCC safety briefing last night. Off to Frank's cafe for a good old fry up, a stock up of essential supplies at Tesco's then to hang around chatting to the SPCC guys for recommended moorings between Brentford and Bull's Bridge. Owned up to not having enough life jackets for the whole crew and the very nice Andrew Phasey called me a bit of a rascal, then lent me some - thank you Andrew. At last our scheduled lock time arrives and in we go with one other, both heading for Brentford. Limehouse lock is an interesting experience, especially the final few feet! Then onto the tideway we go, sounding the obligatory horn, the boat bouncing up and down like I've never experienced before! Then it's all over in a flash, a lot of concentrating on getting the bridges right, watching out for the trip boats, hiding from the intermittent rain, I could go on for ever, but cruising through the centre span of Tower Bridge was a bit special. It's a bit of a shame that you do all the really good bits first, as the entire trip is great, passing all those places mentioned on the boat race commentary and the like, but after 2 and a half hours we pull into the lock cut at Brentford, behind 3 boats from the previous lock and before long there were 3 more from the lock behind us. Anyway up Thames Locks with the boat in front, through the gauging locks, drop off James for Brentford station and on to the Fox and the bottom of the Hanwell flight for the night. Into the pub we go (it's about 17.30 I think) and down goes the beer, a very nice meal (liver and bacon) then the evening spent taking the mickey out of the Eurovision song contest with the rest of the pub accompanied by copious amounts of beer - a good day and a good evening!
  23. Tim

    Friday 28th May

    By Tim,

    Off with clear skies, down the lock at Tottenham and onto the Springfield service dock for pump-out and diesel. Then onwards. Gentle cruising by the Olympic site as far as Old Ford Lock which had a boat in it and shut gates! So, onto the landing and off to investigate. They've been there all night, the gates wont open and are waiting for BW. So being a bit impatient, I leant through the window of the control room and pressed the reset button, the gates duly opened, but one of the top paddles stayed up. Anyway, in we go, shut the gates, open the bottom paddles and the water level will only drop to about 2 feet above the bottom level and the gates wont budge - bugger! Ok, call BW, an engineer is on the way! Wait half an hour, no sign, get impatient, keep watch while James leans through window and turns panel off and on (engineers reset!) Ah! all paddles drop, then bottom paddles open, then the gates, hooray we're off after about an hour and a half delay. On to Limehouse basin, secure boat, get information from lock keeper, and off to the DLR to head to Waterloo / Bournemouth for Mark Knopfler. A great show, and a night at home! Thanks for the Christmas present Penny.
  24. Tim

    Thursday 27th May

    By Tim,

    Hmmm... it's raining!! And I really must try not to moor under trees, the boat is a right mess this morning! Anyway, we continue our return along the Lee in that horrible drizzly stuff that gets you soaked without realising! But after the 3rd lock (Waltham Common) it stopped and we seemed to travel in a blue, sunny hole in the cloud! The blanket weed was really bad between Waltham Common and Enfield locks, but no visits to the hatch! Waited in Pickett's lock while I hosed down the boat to try to clean it up a bit, then on to moor below Stonebridge lock again. Gave the roof and one side a good clean and checked oil, water and tightened the engine alternator belt to the prescribed amount. Had a chat with the local plod who was cycling the towpath, he seemed quit keen to try boating and reckoned that there was more room in my boat than his flat!! Jacket potatoes again tonight, Limehouse tomorrow.
  25. Tim

    Wednesday 26th May

    By Tim,

    Another lazy start, cruised about 200 yards and pulled onto the water point for a fill up and rubbish disposal, this done, cruised the next 200 yards to Hertford lock and away we went! Through Ware lock and passed a widebeam coming the other way - the first moving boat we've seen for a couple of days! Only to find the second turning in front of us! It proceeded at tickover (we weren't in a hurry so no matter!) to Hardmead lock which we shared - the first since somewhere before Marsworth on the GU - must be some sort of record!! Stanstead lock was also shared, then on we went all alone again! Saw a Black Swan just below Feildes Weir Lock and tried to pull onto the mooring at The Fish & Eels, but it would have badly damaged the cabin side paint, so we tied up through the bridge and popped back for a couple and a spot of lunch - very pleasant spot. Then moved on a bit to the Crown at Broxbourne after helping the trip boat through Carthagena Lock. Weather ok for boating, even had to don my fleece first thing! But got a touch more sunburn now! A sort of sausage pasta for dinner - passable! Now have to try to resist the lure of the Crown for the rest of the evening.
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