Sitting in The Crown at Broxbourne enjoying a nice glass of beer after a long but good day on the Stort and then the Lee. Lots of locks but quite easy and the sun was shining!
Limehouse tomorrow and Thames booked for Wednesday.
Monday 30 June 2014
Bishop's Stortford
We have arrived at the top of the navigable River Stort and it's raining! In fact, it has rained for the past two days! Jenny is glum! We shouldn't complain but Jenny's geraniums don't like rain!
We now turn round and start our route to the Thames! Limehouse or Brentford??!!
Soggy Sid!
Friday 27 June 2014
Why was Jenny so down?
For those of you who wondered why?
The Limehouse Cut: 40 minutes of rubbish, green algae, weeds and generally grim surroundings.
Onto the Lee Navigation and passing the Olympic site: More rubbish and weed, lots of mindless graffiti and all the network of canals through the Olympic Park closed to all except to organised trips!! We had glimpses of the Olympic Stadium only to reveal that much of the iconic features had been removed and the Orbit looked a bit sad as did the Copperbox!
Old Ford Lock: Hackney! Water point and Elsan disposal situated right by the side of the lock. This caused problems as the lock still needed to be kept in operation. It eventually took us close on an hour and a half to fill up and empty out before getting on our way!! Old Ford Lock is 'Cray country' and the infamous brothers were reputed to have disposed of all their weapons in the pound below the lock!!!
The surrounding area, although up and coming has a rather seedy feel about them.
Next the Lee took us through Tottenham, the scene of the riots a few years ago, Edmonton and the Hackney Marshes. All through this area it was very shallow and the water was full of all sorts of rubbish and debris as well as a variety of vegetation floating in the water. This brought about very slow progress and many bouts of stern thrust to try and clear the fouled prop and times when Sid had to stop, because of the stress on the engine, to delve down the weed hatch to free the prop. Scarry at times when the boat is adrift midstream with other boats approaching. Fortunately, most of them guessed what the problem was and give us a wide berth!
We did witness some amazing street art a huge improvement from the random graffiti accompanying us most of the way through the canals of London.
Amazing street art!
Eventually, we emerged from the heavily built up landscape to a more rural countryside.
It was a shame the much needed beer at the end of this dismal part of our journey was also a disappointment. Heigh ho on and upward!
The Limehouse Cut: 40 minutes of rubbish, green algae, weeds and generally grim surroundings.
Onto the Lee Navigation and passing the Olympic site: More rubbish and weed, lots of mindless graffiti and all the network of canals through the Olympic Park closed to all except to organised trips!! We had glimpses of the Olympic Stadium only to reveal that much of the iconic features had been removed and the Orbit looked a bit sad as did the Copperbox!
Where have all the triangular floodlights gone?
Rusty looking Copper box!
Old Ford Lock: Hackney! Water point and Elsan disposal situated right by the side of the lock. This caused problems as the lock still needed to be kept in operation. It eventually took us close on an hour and a half to fill up and empty out before getting on our way!! Old Ford Lock is 'Cray country' and the infamous brothers were reputed to have disposed of all their weapons in the pound below the lock!!!
The surrounding area, although up and coming has a rather seedy feel about them.
Next the Lee took us through Tottenham, the scene of the riots a few years ago, Edmonton and the Hackney Marshes. All through this area it was very shallow and the water was full of all sorts of rubbish and debris as well as a variety of vegetation floating in the water. This brought about very slow progress and many bouts of stern thrust to try and clear the fouled prop and times when Sid had to stop, because of the stress on the engine, to delve down the weed hatch to free the prop. Scarry at times when the boat is adrift midstream with other boats approaching. Fortunately, most of them guessed what the problem was and give us a wide berth!
We did witness some amazing street art a huge improvement from the random graffiti accompanying us most of the way through the canals of London.
Amazing street art!
Eventually, we emerged from the heavily built up landscape to a more rural countryside.
It was a shame the much needed beer at the end of this dismal part of our journey was also a disappointment. Heigh ho on and upward!
Thursday 26 June 2014
The Lee Navigation - the story so far!
The first 7 hours of the Lee Navigation left Jenny wondering why on earth did we do this. Even a pub at the end of the day didn't cheer her - the beer was too cold and gassey.
A new day dawned, the sun was shining and Sid was much relieved!
From Ponders End Lock the countryside starts to open out, the sun was still shining and we have had a great day sharing locks with a smashing, young couple, Jess and Casper, ending at Stanstead Abbot where we found a little Co op and a canal side pub, which sells excellent local ale.
Cutting through the debris on the Limehouse Cut
The Navigation, a former pump house that sells cold, gassy beer!!
A new day dawned, the sun was shining and Sid was much relieved!
From Ponders End Lock the countryside starts to open out, the sun was still shining and we have had a great day sharing locks with a smashing, young couple, Jess and Casper, ending at Stanstead Abbot where we found a little Co op and a canal side pub, which sells excellent local ale.
The upper reaches of the River Lee.
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Welcomed Visitors
It has been lovely to receive visits over the past few days.
Karen and Tony had been following our blog and Sid's Facebook ramblings and after a phone met us on a glorious Sunday morning at Paddington Basin. Tony was gasping for a drink so we visited our local, The Dudley Arms where we enjoyed yet another very pleasant beer or two. No roasts available there so the next best seemed to be Italian!
Hence we spent a very convivial afternoon in the little restaurant we had found on Friday overlooking the Regents Canal above the Maida Hill Tunnel. Excellent!
Thanks for making the effort to find us.
Monday took us on the Regents Canal, past some beautiful houses, the Zoo and on through the dubious, canal regions of north east London, eventually after a long and sometimes eventful journey we arrived in Limehouse Basin. En route we managed to pick up a pair of navy overalls - wrapped round the prop, together with a vast array of plastic bags and an awful lot of debris!!!!!!
Another phone call greeted us as we tied up in Limehouse, this time from one of Paul's former girlfriends, Monika. She works in Oxford Street and made her way to us for the evening. We had a lovely time catching up over a good meal and a couple of drinks in the Cruising Association Headquarters, which is adjacent to the basin.
We now plan to explore the Lee Navigation and River Stort.
Karen and Tony had been following our blog and Sid's Facebook ramblings and after a phone met us on a glorious Sunday morning at Paddington Basin. Tony was gasping for a drink so we visited our local, The Dudley Arms where we enjoyed yet another very pleasant beer or two. No roasts available there so the next best seemed to be Italian!
Hence we spent a very convivial afternoon in the little restaurant we had found on Friday overlooking the Regents Canal above the Maida Hill Tunnel. Excellent!
Sunday afternoon!
Thanks for making the effort to find us.
Monday took us on the Regents Canal, past some beautiful houses, the Zoo and on through the dubious, canal regions of north east London, eventually after a long and sometimes eventful journey we arrived in Limehouse Basin. En route we managed to pick up a pair of navy overalls - wrapped round the prop, together with a vast array of plastic bags and an awful lot of debris!!!!!!
Monday morning!
Another phone call greeted us as we tied up in Limehouse, this time from one of Paul's former girlfriends, Monika. She works in Oxford Street and made her way to us for the evening. We had a lovely time catching up over a good meal and a couple of drinks in the Cruising Association Headquarters, which is adjacent to the basin.
Monika and Sid in Limehouse Basin
Hunters Moon in Limehouse
Looking towards Canary Wharf from our mooring
on the Limehouse Cut.
Mum, please note the garden on the roof of the boat!
All Jenny's handiwork!
We now plan to explore the Lee Navigation and River Stort.
Saturday 21 June 2014
Camden Market
A very hot Saturday took us to the London Canal Museum, which is situated in the former Carlo Gati Ice House in Camden. Well worth the visit charting the history of the London canals. Then we got down with the youngsters at Camden Market- a real experience!!
Friday 20 June 2014
Some photos for Emily
If you see a crocodile don't forget to scream!
A dinosaur we met on the Grand Union!
"Grandad, it's behind you!"
England's new signing!
London at last!
Since our last post we have recovered, well Jenny has and Sid's back is improving! We have also had a Barclaycard fraud notification, moved the car from Apsley to Packet Boat Marina, met the very helpful Maeve from PBM who administers three BWML's, been up and down the Slough Arm (more of that at a later date) and have now arrived at the Paddington Basin, in the heart of London. We are moored in the shadow of St Mary's Hospital.
Today has been perfect! A lazy morning followed by a lovely walk along the towpath, through Little Venice, stopping at a little restaurant overlooking the Maida Tunnel on the Regents Canal for brunch - delicious - then continuing our walk along the Canal as far as London Zoo then returning through Regents Park. We had afternoon tea on the boat and are now having a very nice glass of beer in a pub on a roundabout under the Westway!!!!!
I have just noticed it has four huge screens for footie fans! And, apparently, Italy must beat Costa Rica!!!!!
Hunters Moon moored in the Paddington Basin
Today has been perfect! A lazy morning followed by a lovely walk along the towpath, through Little Venice, stopping at a little restaurant overlooking the Maida Tunnel on the Regents Canal for brunch - delicious - then continuing our walk along the Canal as far as London Zoo then returning through Regents Park. We had afternoon tea on the boat and are now having a very nice glass of beer in a pub on a roundabout under the Westway!!!!!
I have just noticed it has four huge screens for footie fans! And, apparently, Italy must beat Costa Rica!!!!!
Ourr Brunch Venue!
Monday 16 June 2014
Back in touch at last!
We did meet up with Simon and girlfriend, Jenny on a beautiful, hot Monday afternoon. We enjoyed a short trip on Hunters Moon from Kings Langley to Hunton Bridge, where we had a really good meal at Hunters before returning to Kings Langley on a balmey evening for Simon and Jenny to get their train back to Brighton. It was good to meet Jenny and to have visitors.
Tuesday was the day we cycled back to Cowroast to collect car and deliver it to Apsley Marina for our journey home. A good cycle except for Jenny having a tumble off her bike, which landed he in a lot of mud, several bruises and a swollen wrist!
So, Jenny returned to Chi with a damaged wrist and Sid returned with a damaged back! What a couple of old crocks?! Dangerous game this boating!
Well, a couple of busy days at home allowed us to mend a little and are now nearing the point where we head off into London. The big decision we have to make is weather to go down the Slough Arm. Most boaters say " Why?". Apparently, there is not much to see and journeys end is unimpressive! However, it passes through Iver, were Jenny's family nearly moved to back in the 60s, Langley, where Jenny used to live and work and ends on the outskirts of Slough, famous for 'The Office'! So we may fly in the Face of advice and give it a go.
Sid is busy on Facebook at the moment, which will account for his odd messages!
Tuesday was the day we cycled back to Cowroast to collect car and deliver it to Apsley Marina for our journey home. A good cycle except for Jenny having a tumble off her bike, which landed he in a lot of mud, several bruises and a swollen wrist!
So, Jenny returned to Chi with a damaged wrist and Sid returned with a damaged back! What a couple of old crocks?! Dangerous game this boating!
Well, a couple of busy days at home allowed us to mend a little and are now nearing the point where we head off into London. The big decision we have to make is weather to go down the Slough Arm. Most boaters say " Why?". Apparently, there is not much to see and journeys end is unimpressive! However, it passes through Iver, were Jenny's family nearly moved to back in the 60s, Langley, where Jenny used to live and work and ends on the outskirts of Slough, famous for 'The Office'! So we may fly in the Face of advice and give it a go.
Sid is busy on Facebook at the moment, which will account for his odd messages!
Sunday 8 June 2014
Making progress!
It was really good to catch up with Rosie and Steve and a lovely way to spend, a day that started out as a wet and dismal day.
With the help of two lovely girls, Sarah and Chloe, we made very good progress down to Hemel Hempstead. Chloe was making her way from Cheshire, where she had just purchased it, to London to live aboard and Sarah was helping over the weekend. They we're as glad of the help as we were!
Now trying to plan a rendezvous with Simon and new girlfriend for Monday and also our brief trip home for Jenny's hospital appointment on Thursday.
The sun is shining and Jenny is much happier!! Good, says Sid.
With the help of two lovely girls, Sarah and Chloe, we made very good progress down to Hemel Hempstead. Chloe was making her way from Cheshire, where she had just purchased it, to London to live aboard and Sarah was helping over the weekend. They we're as glad of the help as we were!
Now trying to plan a rendezvous with Simon and new girlfriend for Monday and also our brief trip home for Jenny's hospital appointment on Thursday.
The sun is shining and Jenny is much happier!! Good, says Sid.
Saturday 7 June 2014
Hooray!
We have been released and escaped from Aylesbury.
Now in Berkhamsted having a very pleasant lunch with Jenny's sister, Rosie and her husband Steve.
After early heavy rain it is now glorious sunshine. Let's hope it stays for a few days.
Now in Berkhamsted having a very pleasant lunch with Jenny's sister, Rosie and her husband Steve.
After early heavy rain it is now glorious sunshine. Let's hope it stays for a few days.
Wednesday 4 June 2014
Grumpy old woman!
Jenny is rather fed up with rain, wind, cold weather, being trapped in Aylesbury, dog poo on the towpath ( this is a huge problem on the Aylesbury Arm, the worst we have come across and Jenny is really cross about it!!!!!!!) and muddy towpaths which is the weather's fault. Poor Sid!
The CRT are looking at Lock 9 but still no news of us being set free!!
The CRT are looking at Lock 9 but still no news of us being set free!!
Tuesday 3 June 2014
Sunday 1 June 2014
Back on board
We returned to Hunters Moon on Thursday, exhausted but very pleased to report that Emily is now well on the road to recovery!
Today has been a very strange day. Having decided to go north for a bit to explore the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal we returned down the Marsworth flight of seven locks which bought us to the junction by lunchtime. We didn't fancy doing all 16 locks of the Aylesbury Arm in one go so planned to moor between locks 8 and 9 then to do the rest on Saturday morning. Best laid plans and all that!
Well, when got through lock 8 we noticed the water was very, very low and some kindly walkers informed us that there was problem at lock 9 - a very bad leak! A notice on the lock said because of the leak, due to a damaged cill on the bottom hates the lock was locked and would be manned for opening at 9.00, 12.00 and 3.00pm. It was 2.50 so we decided to wait. Two burley chaps duely turned up! They proceeded to try to fill the lock but there was nearly as much water pouring from the lower gates as there was going in. When the water was inches from the top they heaved and heaved and pushed and pushed and nearly hurt themselves to get the top gate open. They managed to get it open! Hooray we thought! We then progressed down this lock and proceeded to the next.
Another CRT chap greeted us at the next lock with the news that because the damage was so bad and the leak so severe that it had been decided to close the whole of the Aylesbury Arm until lock 9 was repaired!
We are therefore trapped along with a few other boats at Aylesbury. However, we have Waitrose on our doorstep and are only a short walk from the town centre! There is water and refuse disposal and chemical toilet disposal facilities in the newly refurbished basin! At least we are not stuck in the middle of nowhere!
We are hoping to catch up with friends whilst in this area and to explore a bit so we don't mind being stuck for a while but hope it is not too long!!!
Watch this space!
Today has been a very strange day. Having decided to go north for a bit to explore the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal we returned down the Marsworth flight of seven locks which bought us to the junction by lunchtime. We didn't fancy doing all 16 locks of the Aylesbury Arm in one go so planned to moor between locks 8 and 9 then to do the rest on Saturday morning. Best laid plans and all that!
Well, when got through lock 8 we noticed the water was very, very low and some kindly walkers informed us that there was problem at lock 9 - a very bad leak! A notice on the lock said because of the leak, due to a damaged cill on the bottom hates the lock was locked and would be manned for opening at 9.00, 12.00 and 3.00pm. It was 2.50 so we decided to wait. Two burley chaps duely turned up! They proceeded to try to fill the lock but there was nearly as much water pouring from the lower gates as there was going in. When the water was inches from the top they heaved and heaved and pushed and pushed and nearly hurt themselves to get the top gate open. They managed to get it open! Hooray we thought! We then progressed down this lock and proceeded to the next.
Another CRT chap greeted us at the next lock with the news that because the damage was so bad and the leak so severe that it had been decided to close the whole of the Aylesbury Arm until lock 9 was repaired!
We are therefore trapped along with a few other boats at Aylesbury. However, we have Waitrose on our doorstep and are only a short walk from the town centre! There is water and refuse disposal and chemical toilet disposal facilities in the newly refurbished basin! At least we are not stuck in the middle of nowhere!
We are hoping to catch up with friends whilst in this area and to explore a bit so we don't mind being stuck for a while but hope it is not too long!!!
Watch this space!
Hunters Moon moored in the new Aylesbury Basin
Waterside Theatre, Waitrose and a Travelodge in the background.
Sid and Ronnie Barker in Aylesbury
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