We started late, spending the morning pottering about and waiting for the rain to ease off. Robin installed his new window over the side doors so we can let light in to the dinette without also letting in the cold. It can be lifted out to open the doors and then replaced to make a window. Some varnish on the wood will make it more waterproof.
We set off in a mostly dry but grey afternoon accompanied by Virgin Trains and the East Coast Main line. We went under the railway at one point but it stayed close, as it will continue to do all the way to Northampton.
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| The rather intimidating mainline rail bridge. |
We didn't get very far before the skies started to darken but managed 6 locks in 2 miles altogether. We stopped for coal and diesel at Winkworth Boatyard, just before the Winkworth swing bridge (one of just 3 on the Grand Union).
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| The Wentworth swing bridge and boatyard on the right. |
At the next lock we were caught up by a pair of narrow boats with a lovely 'putt-putt' engine. As there wasn't room in the locks for all of us, we went ahead but felt a bit hassled by them. We don't hurry at locks, especially since our Picketts lock experience!
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| The narrow boat pair bearing down on us as we go through lock 60. |
Darkness was also falling and after a few false stops, we eventually found a spot deep enough to moor along the generally shallow banks. To Berkhamstead tomorrow (only another 6 locks before we get there...).
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