NB Rock 'n' Roll

Early on Wednesday morning (20th April) Sue and Vic pulled their pins and moved off, they have to get to Uxbridge to get a new flue fabricated for No Problem (click here for a warning re carbon monoxide); we decided to stay put for another day.

 We took Sue's advice and climbed the style below Denham Deep Lock to walk in Denham Woods - the first thing we saw as we crossed the footbridge was the Frayes River - very pretty.

 Looking across the Frayes towards the top of Denham Deep Lock

 There are numerous lakes here in the trees

 I couldn't believe my eyes - there is a poster which states that the proposed HS2 will cross this point ...

 ... how could 'they' even think about it?  I must admit I really do come down with the NO campaign - why should peoples lives and livelihoods be in jeopardy (let alone beautiful areas like this one) so that the few who use rail transport can get  to their destination 20 minutes quicker.  I agree with all the reasoning put forward by the NO campaign.

 It is so difficult to realise that this could disappear.

We walked back towards the canal and the crossover bridge ...

 ... and continued walking to ...

 the visitor centre of Colne Valley Park. 

 The River Colne

 Back to our mooring opposite the boaters boat - diesel, gas, coal, pumpout (of toilet tank)- in fact just about everything a boater needs on his travels, we're pleased to support canal trading.

George washed one side of Rock'n'Roll whilst I cleaned the inside - until my vacuum cleaner burned out that is - so everything stopped while I looked at Tesco Direct for a replacement.  I had hoped to be able to collect it from Bulls Bridge store on Friday but unfortunately there's no delivery as it's Good Friday, so we'll have to collect it on Saturday.

 Upped sticks early the following morning (Thursday) and continued south - allsorts of boats - big ones ...

 replica Golden Hind?

 A Mallard family in the grimy water

 The stretch of water between Stockley Bridge and Bulls Bridge ...

 is thick with rubbish - horrible!

 We turned left onto the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union - where the police patrol in threes!

 This is an unusual sight (for me anyway) ...

 We watched this man catch the swan and wondered what he was about to do ...

 It became clear that he was 'ringing' the young Mute swans.

 Parakeets nesting in a communications tower - (The RSPB state that : - 'It is important that the spread of the ring-necked parakeet is monitored, and its potential for negative impacts on our native bird species assessed.)

When we came this way in 2009 there were Cormorants nesting here!

 Perhaps they've moved to British Waterways Marinas Ltd (BMWL) at Engineers Wharf Marina ...

 where this heron blends in nicely into the boat behind it!

 The sky went dark over me as this Heron flew over and landed in a weeping willow tree.

 The railway bridge was getting a makeover; barges were being used to hold the scaffolding ...

 and clay had been piled on the edge to keep cruising boats away from the workings ...

 All wrapped up!

The arch of Wembley Stadium in the distance.

We're currently moored at the Black Horse Pub, Greenford in Northolt and are hoping that our son will be able to meet us here today.  Sue and Vic will be joining us later this evening with Sue's daughter and grandchildren.  Tomorrow we (RnR) will wind (turn) and head back to Bulls Bridge to collect the new vacuum cleaner and the hopefully turn again into the Paddington Arm and reach Paddington Basin before dark.