9th November 2015. To Bridge number 3 on the Wendover Arm.

From discussions over breakfast a decision to visit Tring Natural History Museum emerged. As far as we could ascertain, the nearest place to moor was a bridge almost at the end of the Wendover Arm. From there it looks like a short cycle ride to the museum.  Destination decided upon, we set off through the deep cutting which marks the very top of the summit. The cutting is a good mile long and the canal goes between high banks of trees and shrubs. We saw lots of squirrels bustling around and of course a ubiquitous heron. Harold cut a trail through the carpet of leaves covering the canal.

Harold cuts a trail though the leaves.

The depth of the cutting can be seen in the height of this little bridge.

Spot the Heron!

Next was Bulbourne and the start of the Marsworth locks. However, we turned left into the Wendover Arm before the first lock. The last time we went this way, the rain came down in sheets as we turned. This time, the wind got up and turned very cold. Perhaps the Wendover Arm has it's own micro-climate. The channel is narrow and shallow and with the wind against us we crept along. Fortunately we didn't meet anyone coming the other way. We skirted the edge of Tring at the Mill which looms over the canal and made our way to bridge number three. Discretion being the better part of valour, we decided not to try turning round in the wind but just to moor up. Scooby will get a good run round the reservoirs and we'll visit the town and museum tomorrow.

The mills at Tring.

Views across to the reservoirs.

8th November 2015. Berhamstead to Tring Summit.

After a leisurely afternoon with friend Carole on Thursday, we ended up staying three days in Berhamstead. A canal volunteer tipped us off that the restored art deco cinema, The Rex, was worth a visit. We looked it up and booked tickets to see the film of Macbeth on Saturday night. We spent the days pottering about, pleased to be safely moored among civilisation as the rain came down. The cinema was beautiful and luxurious, rather in contrast to the film. It was a very nice experience. Jo also discovered an vintage fair on Saturday and Robin an Aladdins cave of a hardware shop, so everyone was happy. We also made good use of the very handy craft shop and stocked up at Waitrose, both of which are very near the canal.
Harold got covered in leaves, poor soul, and we had to give him a good sweep before we left.

There were fireworks all over Berkhamstead all weekend. Fortunately Scooby doesn't seem to mind them at all. Just joggers, cyclists, other dogs, people.....

We set off today in a grey morning, filling up with water and ditching the rubbish before we left. In 2.5 miles we went up the remaining 7 locks to get us past Cowroast lock (and an Elson point) and to the summit of this bit of canal. It will be downhill for a while now. There are good visitor moorings here and it feels quite exposed, just as a 'summit' should.

Coming into moor at Tring Summit.

Trying Summit.

We finally had to give in and did some washing today so the boat is hung about with wet clothes, along with the general muddiness. The joys of winter boating.  

5th November 2015.

An early start (for us) to get to Berkhamstead by lunchtime to meet friend Carole. 2 miles, 6 locks and a fair bit of drizzle/mud later we had clearly arrived.

 

We caught some of the sights of Berko we missed going the other way and moored in the same spot by Waitrose as last time, very convenient for our rendezvous.

 

4th November 2015. B&Q to Winkwell locks.

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.

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).

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!

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...). 






3rd November 2015. To B&Q

Grey, drizzly day but not cold. 4 miles and 8 locks achieved in the day which took us to the centre of Hemel Hempstead and a mooring near B&Q. Robin went to buy fixings for the new window he had bought to go over the dinette hatch to let a bit more light in.
The canal was quiet again today. Not much to report and no photos taken :( We got a good long look at a kingfisher flying alongside us and then sitting on a branch as we went past and we were both phoned by  our daughters during the course of the day (one crisis, one chat). We did most of the locks alone but went though a few with a young couple on a hire boat. They were very nice but in a bit of a hurry (never good news on the canal) as they had to get back to Leighton Buzzard by Friday, no time for fishing as one of them lamented.
We plan to faff about on the boat a bit tomorrow as it's forecast to rain. However, with more rain and gales predicted later on in the week, we will have to bite the bullet and get moving sometime. 

2nd November 2015. To the green bit in between Abbotts Langley and Kings Langley.

Misty this morning but dry. Blue sky from mid afternoon when the sun eventually managed to clear the clouds away. Monday morning and the canal and towpaths were very quiet. We only met one or two boats, including a bad-mannered WP arrangement of 2 boats breasted together which left the gates and paddles open when they left the locks.

Cassiobury park was lovely with autumn colours; we were very relaxed calmly going through the lock in the quiet among the trees. While he was waiting for the lock to empty, Robin spotted 2 windlasses (windli?) in the low water. He did a bit of fishing with his big magnet and caught one of them.
There were no golfers at The Grove hotel and we sailed past unnoticed. Too damp for the nobs to be out and about. 
After 7 locks and 3 miles we moored between Abbotts Langley and Kings Langley (and between the M25 and the East Coast Mainline) at North Grove lock and took Scooby for a nice long walk. Before settling in for the night, Robin did a bit more windlass fishing and caught one more!

Robin and Scooby heading back to Harold after our evening walk.

1st November 2015. A short hop from Stockers lock (no.82) to Common Moor Lock (no.79)

After a misty and atmospheric start, it turned out to be another beautiful autumn day. After a late Sunday start, we went through Stockers lock and moored up at Tesco's for all the supplies we had forgotten to bring with us.

Harold 'parked' at Tesco's

There were lots of moored boats so it was slow going. Many of the boats were (as always) dilapidated and uncared for but we saw a couple we admired, and which would be suitable for the European canals (we can dream).....

The next stop was Batchworth lock which has the Rickmansworth Canal Centre next to it. We pulled in for a bit of a nose around. There wasn't a lot there but we bought some canal Christmas cards (family and friends be warned) and joined the other sunny Sunday gongoozlers for a late lunch at the Lock 81 café.

At lock 80 we met this handsome ginger cat who evaded dogs and over-friendly children on the towpath by trotting across the lock gates and making itself comfortable on the other side.

As we left lock 80 and headed down the canal, the day started to turn to dusk.

Looking backwards towards lock 80

And when we moored a little later above lock 81the sun was definitely starting to set.

Looking back at lock 79 from our mooring

Robin took Scooby for a walk on the common just south of the lock and while they were out the mist came down in an instant. They had to use the tops of the trees on the towpath to navigate their way back to the boat. Not much progress today but a good time had by all and we are not in any hurry :)