Half Term

We drove up from Cornwall yesterday in bright sunshine with no delays - just over four hours driving time. We took one coffee break at Sedgemoor but otherwise it was straight through and we pulled in to the marina around 2:30. We set about unloading - a new process for this marina but there are some good trolleys which is helpful as otherwise it would seem quite a hard task! The rest of the day was a slow unpack and wind down - dinner was later than planned as the rice was very reluctant to cook through!

This morning we went to St Matthew's Church in Yiewsley which we had identified through the A Church Near You web site. It was a bright, sunny day as we walked down - going to church we went by the main road as we were not sure about access from the towpath.

St Matthew's, Yiewsley

It was a welcoming congregation and the service was 'middle of the road' - they used a number of contemporary songs and, in general, everything was very familiar.

Grand Union Canal, near Yiewsley

Afterwards we walked to the nearest bridge - actually very close to the railway station - and from there back along the towpath to Cowley Peachey Junction and through the rear entrance to the marina. The route is a mixture of seemingly rural to new housing developments.

We were expecting the arrival of Jess from Windsor whilst we had our lunch - they had dropped Ellie in Slough as she was going to the cinema as a friend's birthday treat. A little sooner than we expected we had a phone call to say that the car was outside the main gate and would we please let them in!

Cowley Peachey Junction

Marina Entrance

Bridge 0 - access to marina

By three o'clock we were ready to set off - it was still pleasantly sunny and, unless in the shade, quite warm. Of course, there are no locks to negotiate so it was a straight cruise down to Bull's Bridge where we turned left under the towpath bridge onto the Paddington Arm.

Footbridge

After about another hour we reached the open space just after Willowtree Marina and found a place to moor, just by the arched footbridge.

5.9 miles - 0 locks