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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!!

Spot the Difference!

R

We are also delighted to announce that we going to be grandparents again!

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!

Hunters Moon moored in the new Aylesbury Basin

Waterside Theatre, Waitrose and a Travelodge in the background.

Sid and Ronnie Barker in Aylesbury