Cowley Peachey

Although the weather is forecast to get a lot colder over the next few days, it remained quite satisfactory today, although very grey and just occasionally slight drizzle.

Copper Mill

We set off in good time with only six locks ahead of us! The first was Copper Mill - with an attractive row of houses converted from old buildings.

Weir Steam Below Copper Mill

Boaters are warned about a possible fast flowing stream entering just below Copper Mill Lock but this time it was very placid.

Coy Carp Pub

Just below the next bridge was a pub with an amusing spelled name!

Black Jack's Lock

Black Jack's Lock has an interesting cottage alongside - although the property on the opposite side is clearly concerned about the intrusion of boaters.

Gravel Wharf

Yesterday we same some interesting creatures; the gravel wharf seems to be disused now but the equipment looks menacing!

Denham Deep Lock

Denham Lock is particularly deep but the bottom gate proved to be one of the easiest to operate for some time. Below the lock was an interesting idea for a dry dock!

Floating Dry Dock at Denham Lock

Today we saw a couple of amusing boats.

Apart from the last lock we were on our own and very few boats were moving. However, at Cowley we did share with a single hander doing the Grand Union - Thames - oxford Ring, from his mooring near Braunston. Alongside the lock is both a former lock cottage as well as toll house, now a tea room.

Cowley Lock

We passed Packet Boat Marina (where we have a winter mooring) at Cowley Peachey Junction - the arm goes from here up to Slough. Just a liitle further and we stopped for food, having earlier opted for Mike to collect the car this afternoon. Then we will know more exactly what time we have left.

Cowley Peachey Junction

West Drayton BR Station was just a short distance from the next canal bridge (192). Mike had an exceptionally smooth journey, train to Paddington, Underground to Euston via Oxford Circus and then train again up to Milton Keynes Central. From there it was bus trip to Milton Keynes Marina where the car had been left. Despite forgetting the power lead for his mobile in order to use the Sat Nav function, he managed to navigate the journey direct to Packet Boat by old fashioned means!

The spot where we were moored was OK but perhaps not the best for the night so we cruised on for about half an hour.

Although most of the valley is now lakes formed from worked out gravel quarries, there are still some reminders of the previous industry.

The type of piling used along this stretch makes mooring less easy, but we did find a place where a wood edge had been attached (although it is rapidly rotting away).

9.3 miles - 6 locks