2nd October 2015. Leaving Harefield at last and making it to the Paddington Arm.

After a nine day stay at Harefield (longer than anticipated due to hospital things) we were at last free to get going again and make the most of the remaining nice weather this week.

Our berth at Harefield, now empty!

We set off under a lazy blue sky and through amazingly clear waters. We could see the bottom even in the middle, almost unheard of in a canal and we assume due to all the nearby rivers and lakes. We didn't see any fish though and Robin muttered darkly about cormorants. Apart from the greedy (apparently) cormorants, there are more coots here than moorhens, which is different from further north.

We went through two locks with a pair of silly people who said they had just bought their rather tatty little boat. They certainly didn't seem to know much about it and diddled around. Then they overtook us at speed twice between locks as we were passing between rows of moored boats. The second time Jo (irritated beyond endurance) called out that you should only go at tickover speed pass moored boats so you don't pull them off their moorings etc, which was why we were going slowly. He did slow down then and denied knowing about this piece of canal etiquette. Perhaps he thought we were just sightseeing, or deliberately slowing in front of him to be annoying. Thankfully we lost them by stopping for water at the next lock.

There were lots of moored boats on the GU today, including this beauty... 

And this unusual arrangement;

And we met three of these huge workboats at different times.

Breathing in to let this big work boat squeeze past.

A tight fit for this work boat in the lock.

We went past the entrance to the Slough Arm with barely a nod; a bit shallow and an industrial estate at the end apparently. Although it didn't look too bad at this end.

Looking down the Slough Arm and we sailed past...

Eventually we came to the turning for the Paddington Arm of the canal, which will take us Eastwards through London to the river Lea and the Olympic Park. The turning itself wasn't too welcoming and the new canal also a bit bleak to start with.

Turning into the Paddington Arm.

Our journey for tomorrow.

It did cheer up though and we stopped at an ok mooring in Willowtree Park. We are in Hillingdon tonight. Which Borough tomorrow?

10.5 miles and 3 locks in total today.