A Month Aboard More

A view of Ivinghoe Beacon as we set off to travel down to London.

In lock with NB Romney on the Marsworth Flight.

In Black Jack's Lock.

What a view through bridge leaving Black Jack's Lock.

Bull's Bridge

Moored at 'The Park' near bridge 19ac, Yeading. Flocks of green necked parakeets nest here.

Wall sculpture made from rubbbish left in the canal on the Paddington Arm.

Little Venice, approaching Paddington Basin.

Moored in Paddington Basin. We arrived here after six day's cruising.

View of Pirate Castle, Regent's Canal at Camden.

Herons in Regent's Park near the old Tuke Gate entrance to the college.

Cruising towards the Maida Vale Tunnel on Regent's Canal.

Cumberland Basin, with floating Chinese Restaurant.

A family of geese visit whilst we have lunch near Watford on our return journey.

Moored near Cassiobury Park.

A special visitor cruising from Hemel Hempstead to Berkhamsted

View of Berkhamsted whilst moored for the final week of out break.

Milton Keynes

Another beautiful day as we cruised through Milton Keynes. MK gets some bad press but from the canal I love it. There are lots of well equipped play areas and open spaces for the children and plenty of well kept wakways for people like us to enjoy. We winded at Great Linford and moored up on the 48 hour morrings at Campbell Park. We next to the couple on NB Brumpoolie who have had a winter mooring at Campbell Park. Their little girl is 2 now. We last saw them and shared locks from Berkhamsted to Cowroast when they were making their way to their winter mooring. We went for a stroll past the cricket ground and then over the canal to Willen Lake. The spring sunshine had brought many people out and it was a delight to see so many families enjoying the facilities.

To Fenny Stratford

Left Slapton late morning and cruised slowly towards Leighton Buzzard. Stopped briefly at the Marina at Grove Lock before descending to the long stretch before Leighton Buzzard. We noticed the increased activity at the boatyard on the offside and on the towpath opposite. Needing to pick up friends in Leighton Buzzard on Wednesday morning we moored outside the town, opposite the school. Two days when we have only gone a very short distance and only gone down three locks. It was heartening to see and hear many youngsters taking part in after school sports activity until almost 6 pm. I walked into the town to do some shopping ready for our visitors and David's birthday which is on Wednesday. I saw NB No Problem moored up at the Tesco moorings and stopped for a brief chat. Returning to the boat I decided to do some minor repairs to some rusty patches which were appearing. After rubbing down and applying KURUST I used red oxide as a base.

We set off at about 9am on Wednesday morning and moored at the TESCO mooring to wait for our friends John and Gill to arrive. It was a beautifully sunny and warm day. We cruised past Wyvern boatyard and all their moored up hire boats. At Leighton Lock David acted as tutor as Gill learned about operating the lock paddles and gates. It was a lovely cruise down to Soulbury in the sun. We managed to get down the three locks with no problems despite the very leaky to gates on the second lock and then cruised on, mooring up after Stoke Hammond for lunch. We had some red wine, a birthday cake and candles for David. The final leg of our trip with John and Gill was to just beyond the Fenny Stratford Lock, mooring on the 24 hour moorings. From here John and Gill had planned to catch a number 70 bus back to Leighton Buzzard. In the event no bus appeared and they had to call a taxi. I then covered the patches of red oxide base with a coat of black so the boat no longer looks such a mess. We then spent the night on the 24 hour moorings.

A week going North

Carried out some temporary repairs to leaking mushroom and to areas of rusting metal. Left Vicarage Farm and cruised as far as Slapton and moored just before the winding hole. We saw 6 moving boats, all heading South. Had a light lunch together. David returned to High Wycombe to attend a Governors' meeting and will return this evening.

3 locks today.

REPAIRS

The new batteries and new alternator are now installed. Hopefully all should be well with travelling for the next few months. The repair to the mushroom will have to wait until we are next up at Cowroast. The tarpaulin will need to stay in place until then. It doesn't look very attractive, but does an adequate job of keeping the rain on the outside. The boat could do with a few weeks of sunshine so we can do some minor maintenance and dry everything out after the extreme weather of the winter. Our next short trip could be to Milton Keynes.

To Vicarage Farm

Diagnosis on electrical problem is new batteries to be bought and alternator not functioning efficiently. Oh well, more expense.

We took advantage of the break in the rain to begin our return to our home mooring. The sun came out and it was a beautiful cruise as far as Grebe. After that is became a bit chilly but we ploughed on as it was still dry. Moored up about 6 pm.

My work on the bedroom window seems to have fixed the leak. Had an early night.

Sunday morning brought more sun and we had a leisurely start to the day. The rain began about midday and more damage caused by the big freeze became apparant. Water started dripping down, alarmingly fast through the ventilation mushroom in the roof. On inspection it was clear that frost had gotten in under the paint and worked it's way through. Rain can now leak in. Now the rain can get in so remedial works are needed. As a temporary measure we have covered the offending mushroom with a tarpaulin and will effect a proper repair when the weather is dry. This month has been one thing after another needing to be fixed. After such a deep freeze I don't suppose that is surprising. In some ways it was lucky we were aboard when this latest leak occured or we could have come aboard next time to find water damage inside. At least we can do some repairs and hopefully prevent internal damage.

To Marsworth

Boat now blacked. Met Deana from NB Nile, moored temporarily just beyond Cowroast. Filled water tank and sorted loo etc and then David cruised to Bulborne. I took car to Marsworth and then walked up to Bulborne to the top lock. On the way I met some people on NB Wirral Wanderer. Didn't recognise them so stopped to ask if the old guy still owned the boat. They told me he had died a couple of weeks ago. They were his daughter and her family who were sorting things out. Another boater has adopted his lovely cat. I expressed by sadness at hearing the news. I never knew his name but saw him often down at Berkhamsted last year and on this stretch more recently. RIP old guy. He was a real character, usually to be found on his stern reading and having a smoke. Now know his name was Tom Barry.

Walked on up to top lock and then steered whilst David did the locking. Moored up almost opposite Wirral Wanderer.

Seem to now have a problem with electrics. Batteries dodgy and alternator not working efficiently. Ah well, more expense. One thing after another. That's boating. Thank heavens for guys like Ed Boden, marine engineer, who are so available and so helpful.