Bull's Bridge and Cowley Peachey

We set off in good time and immediately started up the locks to Hanwell. One of the bridges was an early construction by the Horseley Fields foundry, better known for similar designs used throughout the BCN.

The first two locks were spread out and the main flight began at lock 97. They proved quite heavy, but by the top of the six lock flight we had worked out a better routine for these broad locks. We were warned earlier by a passing cyclist that there were water level problems further up. This indeed was the case. although BW had run some water down to an empty short pound, it was insufficient for us to float over the top cill and we had to bring down some more. Otherwise, this was no more of a problem than is usual in urban areas.

In the middle of the flight is a reminder of the horse drawn days and the perils of the work. Apparently, horses in this flight would become entangled in the tow ropes and fall in the water. The special slope was built to help them recover to dry land!

At Norwood Top Lock we stopped to use the usual services. The water tap was very slow so we took then opportunity to have our lunch. By the time the tank was full, a boat approached also wanting to fill up. Fortunately, we had by now just about finished our soup and sandwiches! (Soup courtesy of the bones which Mike removed yesterday from the huge joint of pork that we bought in Windsor)

There followed quite a long level stretch. The section as far as Bull's Bridge Junction was marked with a large amount of plastic bags in the water. We seemed to be going rather slowly so Mike inspected the propellor and found a shirt wrapped around it!

After the junction the water quality improved. The day was still quite cool but at times the sun came out and it felt pleasantly warm. The occasional threat of rain passed without any actually falling.

The journey continued in like vein to Cowley Peachey Junction. We remarked how much development there has been alongside the canal - much of it since we were last here in the mid eighties. At the junction there is now a large marina.

Through another lock brought us to Uxbridge where there were numerous visitor moorings, quite a few for up to 14 days. Although the views were not great, they would be quite acceptable if one arrived needing a mooring urgently.

As it was, we proceeded a little further to get away from the road noise and eventually pulled in on the long straight stretch with the lakes formed from old gravel quarries on both sides. We selected a spot which seemed to give a chance of a tv signal through a gap in the trees!