Monday 2 June 2014

Mov'n on Down...



28/05/2014..

Still moving down the Grand Union toward London.. There are a lot of double locks but you just get moving and do them, get in the groove, and if your lucky enough to team with another NB going the same way it makes for even more enjoyable boating.
Struck a few showery days but that only makes fine days so much better..


You get a lot of  lookers on at locks and you can see people, especially kids, wondering what it's like to do that..

So more than once we've offered watchers the opportunity for a ride.

Glad to accept this time was..




Young Ryan, on school holiday, watching with his mum... Helped steer through two locks...
The smile got bigger and bigger...

After passing the Bulbourne  junction...




We passed this iron work  shop doing garden furniture, sculptures..

Moored up for the night just above Cow Roast lock.
The next morning the rain had returned..

As we moved off to do the lock, first of the day, a hire boat approached from behind and then fifty meters short of the lock over took us, well me and the NB as Leonie was already setting the lock..

Struggling to pull up but eventually halting with only a small crash...



 

The gates are open and in they go...

It was great to team up with another NB and especially when they're good people. Doing six days, three each way, this lot were from Barrow on Furness. We stayed together two days working 34 locks until they turned to get back to hire base on time.

If your are getting wet on the outside...



 

Balance it up by getting wet on the inside... Dave at the helm and Christine on bar duties.. it was 5pm somewhere in the world....

It's a tidy stretch along Berkhamsted with some nice homes and canal side pubs...









 





 




Neil uses his Power to shut the lock gate...

 




The Three Horseshoes pub... Winkwell...





Pub at Apsley....


 

A nice residential mooring marina...

The next morning the....

 
 
 



 Sun was bouncing off those leaves... We pressed on...
 

It's recommended to...


 
 
Take the RH bridge hole....
 
As we left one lock...
 
 
 


Les and Jaq on NB Valerie pulled in to wait..

We pulled over for an afternoon escape from locking to venture to a nearby pub garden bar...
Later.... when we resumed our travel the Hire boat was...



Stuck by the stern where we moored... A tow from NB FireflyNZ  soon had the Poms going forward..

The No,1 locking team...


 

Anita and Leonie walking between locks....

Was a couple of Excellent days and nights with Neil, Dave, Christine and Anita... Thanks guys hope we will catch up again one day...

Turned a corner in a very rural setting and...



There was a golf course...
I yelled out to the players "My mates the best golfer in the World, he's on an 16 handicap"..
They didn't even wanna know his name...

Then around the next bend....



 

A picture setting .... Grove Park area....






 
 

If you need more accommodation on the NB....



Just add another room...
 

Canal side shopping...



 
 
 
 

Moor up at Tesco and wheel the trolley to the NB..


You heard of King Kong??...



 

Younger brother... Ping Pong...

Down Copper Mill lock way...



Cool house... well probably a Hot house... An artist on the patio...


 
 Just some shots that activate My Brain..  Mmmmm...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
An early Transformer.....
 




Symmetry.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elementary.....
 
 
 
 
 
Cemetery....
 
With the mild winter there's an abundance of  wildlife...
 
 

Ducks in all colours.....

Next port of call, Paddington London...