Friday 25th September 2009

We continued our epic journey .......

06:25 a misty dawn at Denham Deep - an early start today

07:20 - the day is becoming much brighter now..

we set off at 9:30 and pass some 'interesting' water craft! ......

oh no, it's one of those gravel barges!! no problem it was only a very heavy wide-beam!
I wonder if this caravan got washed off the land in a flood?
??
that's more like it

a gravel barge being loaded at bridge 183

well executed mosaic mural in one of the bridge holes

new developments abound

the Nestle factory - the smell was delicious!

We arrived at Bulls Bridge at about 4pm and moored on the Tesco 24 hour stop

'Brunel' appeared from the the Paddington Arm junction on it's way to Brentford from Little Venice ..

it was being pulled by a tug in front and ..

being pushed by the one behind - it was quite an effort to do that left turn

We'd never been to a 24-hour Tesco before and thought we'd do our shopping at about 9pm to avoid the crowds (how sad are we!). We are saying cheerio to Porthcerri in the morning as we are going onto the Paddington Arm and they are off to Brentford.

Thursday 24th September

We got up especially early this morning to take a walk in the park before setting off again - I'm so glad we did - it was a fantastic morning the sun very bright and I was pleased with the pictures that I took. Just a few of them here....

Molly thoroughly enjoyed the freedom in the park

We eventually left our mooring above lock 77 at about 8:45 to collect water at lock 78 where we met NB Porthcerri and shared locks with them down to Denhem Deep.

Pat and Ian are out on their annual 6-week late summer cruise - they are not slow coaches as we are on the canal, I think this was the longest stretch we'd ever cruised in one go, but we thoroughly enjoyed it and sharing the locks made it all so much easier. They are also on their way to London and as they had mention that this was not their first time we asked if we could tag along with them as we were quite apprehensive about the journey into the capital (especially after reading the navigational notes in the Nicholson's Guide about the gravel traffic and to beware of their boats manoeuvring between Copper Mill Lock and Denham Bridge) - Pat and Ian said that would be fine by them. some of the lock-side houses are really pretty (but presumably no longer belong to BW)

cute!

must remember this on the return trip stopped to collect essentials and eat lunch at Batchworth Tesco good job he's wearing a safety harness or he'd fall! just below Copper Mill Lock - the current was very strong today - I take it that canoes use this area as a slalom

following Pat and Ian on Porthceri past some pleasant waterside properties before mooring up for the night below Denham Deep Lock.

Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd September

We upped stiks on Tuesday to continue our way south and cruised past Les on NB Valerie - he was chaperoning NB Heddwyn on what I think was her new owner's maiden voyage (a very good looking redhead). We continued on through lock 71 and found a nice quite mooring close to the canal side village of Hunton Bridge.

We went for a walk around the village and found a great studio who make and renovate stained glass - check out this website - Chapel Studios - we went inside for a 'nosey' - they were pleased to talk to us and show us what they were doing and what they had been working on in the past on renovation projects all over the world. Although I had my camera I forgot to take some photos at the studio but took these of the village buildings.

views of the local church

a very large redwood tree in the cemetery grounds

A once very imposing Langleybury House now all shuttered up

In its days of glory - built by Sir Robert Raymond, a lawyer and friend of Sir Robert Walpole, who purchased the Langleybury Estate in 1711 (see link above)

the old school house

On Wednesday we cruised on passing...

some very nice properties on the wayTurnover bridge 163

Clarendon Park Farm in the distance

and the beautiful Grove Bridge - the Earl of Clarendon apparently insisted on an elegant bridge when the canal was routed across his land. The current bridge was restored in 1987.

we ended a lovely day moored above lock 77 at Cassiobury Park. We got up especially early next morning to take a walk in the park before setting off again - I'm so glad we did - it was a fantastic morning the sun very bright and I was pleased with the pictures that I took.

Monday 14th - Monday 21st September

Sunset on 14th at Bulbourne looking towards the lock taken at 6:20pm before we moved off and moored up at Cowroast.

We're waiting for Sam from Foxton Boats to take out the gen-set for repair - he'll be with us on Friday; we'll move down lock 46 and moor up by the houses as there is access to the road from there.

In the meantime we did part of the Chiltern Walk over the hills from Dudswell and down to Aldbury and back to the mooring. It was another beautiful day and the scenery was well worth it - we even saw several groups of deer - tried to get them on camera but they were too fast for me - managed a few seconds of video but they were disappearing into the distance before I managed to see them through the camera!

Apacas - We'd never seen them in person before!

this white one was a real cheeky chappy!

he had to get into all the pictures!
told you!!
We walked for miles not quite knowing where we were and the came out of the trees to this vista of Cowroast Marina at the bottom of the hill.
back into the trees again - a lovely scene
the colours were wonderful
the village of Aldbury in the distance - time to get back to the towpath on the other side of the village after a lovely walk in the very warm sunshine.

the sky on Friday morning at 5:45 am

and again at 6:15am

Friday - by the time Sam arrived Rock'n'Roll had a 10degree list as the pound dropped dramatically, so as soon as he left we cruised down to Winkwell and found a good mooring just before the swing bridge opposite the Three Horseshoes. It had been quite a morning and we were worn out by this time, so off to the pub for a late steak lunch and couple of drinks, back to the boat and promptly fell asleep! We stayed for a couple of days here walking - we walked into Hemel Hempstead to B&Q for some bits and pieces.our walk from Winkwell into Hemel Hempstead took us past the Fishery Inn

and beautifully manicured lawns

The river Bulbourne runs alongside the towpath on this part of the canal and some of the residents had created lavish gardens using bridges across the river onto a small island and continued their theme onto the towpath - this one was quite stunning.

We decided on Monday 21st to move down to bridge 51 and moor there for a couple of hours while we collected post from the post office within WH Smith and then move on to a more suitable mooring for the night. We collected our post and wandered the shops. We eventually went down a few more locks and finally moored south of lock 69 for the night.

This picture was taken between locks 68 Nash Mills and lock 69; there were other BW boats on the other side of the canal also full of rubbish - is this boaters rubbish I wonder, it looks as if it's been there a long time - I can't imagine the vermin that it attracts.

Monday 31st August - Friday 11th September

Friday 11th - the return journey - what a trip - a monunmental day as George called it!

We did a total of 31.5 lock miles - 7.25 miles and 23 locks from Aylesbury Basin to Bulbourne.

The weather was still very warm and the scenerey great

George has walked all the way except for the mile or so through the weeds
and done all the lockwheeling too - he was shattered at the end of the day - no wonder!

Molly was tired too!

On Monday 7th we upped sticks from Bulbourne and cruised on to Cowroast for services before winding and mooring at Marsworth by the Bluebells Cafe. Off down the Aylesbury Arm tomorrow.

into lock number 1

looking down the first set of locks

The Charolais cattle were interested in the lock operation - he was a big fellow!

I think this was the approach to Puttenham top lock - the willows were very impressive

looking back at the beautiful house on the lock - I'd like to live there!

a stiff lock gate - it was a very hot day - brilliant for September - I hope it will last

the weeds encroach from both sides

but do not heed navigation - fortunately nothing coming the other way!

thought this pony silhouetted against the sky made a good picture

Aylesbury Basin - excellent mooring slot provided by the Aylesbury Canal Society - the towpath mooring was chock-a-block but as we had telephoned ahead and were promised a space we were allowed to moor in a member's slot for 3 nights.

The basin at 6am on the 9th

We loved Aylesbury especially up by the St Mary's church; we had lunch on the lawn between the old graves and from where we sat and looked out over the wall around the church we could have been in the 1800's - it was a peaceful scene. We took loads of photos, but here a just a few.

Market day around the cenotaph

nothing seems to have changed much in at least a century

speaks for itself!

the high alter

time for a pint in the courtyard of the Kings Head

Molly immortalised sitting on the top of a narrowboat on an underpass near the college

glad of a sit down after a long day!

Sunday 6th - Sunset over the reservoir taken at 8pm

a crested grebe on the Tring Reservoir

Tuesday 1st September - on Sunday when we returned to Bulbourne after our trip with my brother and his family we discovered that the alternator had packed up and so had the genset!! We had no jump leads so on Monday morning George walked into Tring and managed to buy some from a garage. He connected them to the starter battery and used that battery to charge the others so at least we managed to get the engine going.

We rang Sam Matts of Foxton Boats as both are still under guarantee - here he is arriving today - our life saver!! He replaced the alternator but couldn't do anything about the genset as time was short and we didn't know how to dismantle the back steps to access it. Graham boat fitter is coming on Saturday - he'll show us how it's done. If Sam can't fix it, he will remove it to get it repaired and return it when we're next in the areas, in the meantime we will need to ensure that the engine is run sufficiently to cope with the washer, freezer etc.

Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th August 2009

Thursday - Upped sticks at 8.30 to set off down the Wendover Arm

George is striding out to get the lock ready round the corner .. and I get stuck on the bank as this morning the bottom of the canal is too close to the top!! Called for help on the walkie talkie and we managed to get adrift using a lot of brute force and the boat pole!

coming up the lock before the dry dock at Bulbourne

George in action on the lock gates

The forge at Bulbourne - some beautiful sculptures.

This stretch to Cowroast is the Tring Summit which has climbed 390' up the Chilterns from Braunston - so it's downhill all the way from here on our way to London (in the nicest possible way - I hope!)

After a peaceful cruise down the mile and a quarter of the Wendover Arm we wind and moor in a lovely spot at Little Tring and walk up the hill towards Tring Reservior.

Bridge 4 - I hope it wont be too long before there is water under here ...

... and boaters can cruise on all the way to Wendover - that will definitely be worth coming back for in the future.

the sun shining on the reservior

Friday - we walked into Tring this morning - about 2 miles - in the rain!! We did a Tesco shop and lugged it all the way home in our back-packs, George reckons we're mad!. Forgot the camera today so no piccies (did take a couple with my new phone, but have not yet sorted out loading the necessary software to transfer them to the computer)

but the sun did come out eventually and created a colourful rainbow on the way home.

Saturday - Another lovely day. Wended our way out of Wendover - on our way to Cowroast for a pump out

our lunch mooring on the way to Cowroast - lovely dappled sunshine

and our mooring for the night at Cowroast - taken at 7:45pm - looking into the sunset ...

... and the other way at the moon rising.

Sunday - started off early to get back to Bulbourne to pick up my brother and sister-in-law ...

... and their youngest son Kye and his cousin Libby

We all had a great day, everyone had a go at driving Rock n Roll - some were better than others!! Sorry to see them leave and wished they could have stayed for longer.

Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th August 2009

Tuesday 25th - Lovely weather today, so we're off around the reservoirs again - round the Marsworth to the main road again (picking plumbs on the way) over the road, round the Tring reservoir and home again, tired but content!

'Home' for a couple of days on the offside between locks 39 and 40
Swans were abundant on the reservoirs

'shakin all over'

I'm sure there was a duck here!

cheers to you too!

George in pensive mode - in a world of his own!

He is convinced that the fairies live here!

two cormorants up a tree - a long way from the sea

the back of the Wendover Arm pump house

He's in fairy land now!

crab apples galore!

Damsons or Plumbs?

these are definitely plumbs - they made a great crumble.

When we got back to the boat and a welcome cuppa - goosey gander came knocking at the cratch window ...

and asked if we had any bread to spare!

Monday 24th - moved off early this morning up through the next few locks collecting water on the way and moored opposite the Bluebell Cafe where we had a lovely breakfast - couldn't believe I could eat so much (greedy, greedy).

I took this photo at 6:12 before we set of - taken into the sun coming up ...

... and this one in the opposite direction - with the heron in flight!

When we moored and had digested that breakfast, we went for a walk around Marsworth Reservoir - the water is very low. We started off by deciding to follow the 'red' trail ... until it disappeared .. then we came to the main road ... no signposts ... so turned left and followed the road ... and ended up over half way down the Wendover Arm. As we came back to the reservoirs the signposts showed the 'green' trail! Apparently Ann and Chas on Moore2Life had similar experiences with these supposedly 'marked' ways!

Thursday 20th - Saturday 23rd August 2009

We spent a few delightful hours out on the towpath once the heat had dissipated from the sun over the next couple of days, chatting to Ann and Chas about anything and everything. Chas gave me lots of information on moorings etc for our trip down the Wendover and Aylesbury Arms later this month.

This was the view over the hedge where we were moored, the wind blowing through the trees showed the underside of the leaves which shone in the sunshine.

Wednesday 19th August 2009

Today we had decided to go on to Marsworth Junction, stay a couple of nights there and then continue onto the Wendover arm to Tring for a few days before returning to Marsworth at the Bank holiday to pick up my brother and his wife and youngest son before taking them down to Aylesbury, but as all good plans etc....

We set off, George wheel-locking and me at the tiller to go through locks 37 and 38 - walkie-talkies on. Enjoying the quiet as I went along, the lock apparently miles away, bleep, bleep - I'm standing here talking to Moore2Life - 'Are you at the lock?' says I, 'can't see the lock anywhere' came the reply - ' are we stopping?' says I - 'the kettle's on' came the reply.

Ann and Charles had motored past us last week sometime with a quick wave from Charles and the comment that they 'would be back later from Marsworth'
It was great to see them again and we spent quite a few very sociable hours on the towpath during Wednesday and Thursday with tea and biscuits and dog walks and to the shop at Ivinghoe.
long shadows at 6:45pm

and in the other direction a spectacular sky!

Moore2Life left us to travel north on Friday morning. Hope to see you both again in the not too distant future - happy journeys!

Monday and Tuesday 17/18th August 2009

Tuesday we moved on to moor and moored opposite Pitstone Wharf after calling in for a pump-out.

Monday we upped sticks and cruised through Slapton lock once again, collected water ...... glimpsing the white lion once again. This lion is on Dunstable Downs in South Bedfordshire and was built in 1933 to indicate the position of Whipsnade Wildlife Park (I remember that it was usually called Whipsnade Zoo when I was a kid). It is approximately 483' in length and is home to cavies (guinea pigs) and wallabies!