10th October 2015. Limehouse to Ponders End, but only just.

10 miles and 3 locks and our most challenging day yet. After a night somewhat disturbed by the party people living around the Limehouse Marina, we left via the Limehouse Cut, which turns out to be a rather dreary stretch of waterway.

The Limehouse Cut.

 

 

We did see a group of Scouts out and about collecting rubbish from the towpath and around. Good for them!

East End Scouts collecting Rubbish (of which there was lots!)

 

We eventually met the River Lea at Bow Locks (careful). There were boats moored all along the route (and in every useable space) and so even though we might have liked to stop and look around there was no way to do so. The pond weed disappeared though, so small mercies!

 

Bow locks where the Limehouse Cut joins the river Lea coming up from its mouth on the Thames.

We made our way around the Western side of the Olympic Park but apart from this one view of the stadium we saw nothing except fences, building work and an endless line of moored boats. It was all a bit of mess. Can't help feeling a bit disappointed.

 

Our one view of anything Olympic.

We kept moving but Scooby needed his midday walk. Eventually we had to pull over on a water point as there was nowhere else. The towpath was busy and the mooring not very secure and Scooby ended up falling in the canal as he got off the boat. Fortunately he was wearing his harness and Robin soon fished him out. Its only the second time he's fallen in during 2 years of boating (the first time was the day we picked up the boat and as he first went to set foot on it!)

We went through Tottenham and Stonebridge locks, both electronic and although big, not as scary as they seemed. Then we got to Picketts lock which was much more difficult. Not electronic and with horrible turbulence as the sluices opened so the boat was thrown across and forward, despite Jo's efforts to control it. The metal ring which holds on the front fender then got caught in the lock gate which the held the bow down while the water level went up. Fortunately we noticed it in time and by hard reverse and pushing off the side managed to break free (the ring sheared off) and the front bobbed up like a cork. Although Robin and Scooby were on the bank and Jo on the back of the boat and easily able to get off, we nearly lost our boat and were very shaken. 

Once safely out of the lock Robin reattached the front fender and we made our way the short distance to Ponders End Mill Stream where Robin's friend is moored. We had a cup of tea with him and were calmer by the time we eventually got moored for the night by asking a Dutch barge to budge up a bit. Its not such a glamorous mooring but it's quiet and peaceful and we are just grateful to be here at all. We will enjoy our Strictly and Rugby with a glass of wine tonight.

 

A relieved Harold and crew moored for the night at Ponders End.