Back to Base

With the clock change last night, we inevitably woke 'early' - at least by today's, rather than yesterday's, standards, and were off by 8:15. before leaving, Christine wanted to snap the coots which have been a feature of the water life around here - but a couple swans and their cygnets insisted on muscling in on the event!

It was just a short distance to the service point at Little Venice. Fortunately we did not want to take on water as the mooring was already occupied, so we hovered, as it were, in the narrows whilst we completed our disposals.

Off again and there was little to deflect us from a continuous and straightforward cruise back along the long level pound.

Near Porto Bello Dock we saw a residential boat for sale - £250,000!

We passed the the Scout group from Tooting that we met yesterday on our way down to Limehouse. As there were no locks for miles, their leaders had clearly decided that they need to walk!

At Alperton we pulled in to the mooring outside Sainsbury to pick up some croissants (OK it was a late morning snack!) bread, milk and a few other items. It was an indication of how popular Sunday shopping is by the fact all the trolleys were in use when we arrived at the entrance. Fortunately we only needed a basket.

By one o'clock Christine had some warm tasty soup well-brewed and we moored up for a short break to enjoy it properly.

Bulls Bridge Junction

On again and close to our expected schedule we arrived at Bulls Bridge and turned out onto the Grand Union Main Line. By now it was slightly damp, gradually turning wetter although it never came to proper rain.

Half past three and we were reversing into our new winter mooring space with enough time to complete the tasks planned. Andrew had brought his plumbing and Speedfit bits and pieces as we wanted to improve the connections to the main water pump. The original pipework involved some very tight bends which place quite a strain on the pump. A couple of corner connections and some short pieces of pipe look like making all the difference.

Also on our agenda was to divide our shoreline asymmetrically into two sections, for use depending on whether we are bow or stern first onto the mooring. Stern first requires only a short section. We also eventually found a means of stowing the anchor we bought for our Severn trip and have been falling over in the bow well ever since! The longer shoreline also found a better home.

All that was left now was for Mike to prepare the evening meal and Christine to begin the pre-winter clean through.

17.3 miles - 0 locks