Bishop's Stortford

We left our wooded overnight mooring and passed through the remaining lock on the final run into Bishop's Stortford. A little later we came across this rather unusual footbridge (Sustrans been at it again?) It has ramps in all directions and also a shorter route across the middle for those who can use steps.

Footbridge outside Bishop's Stortford

At the limit of navigation we turned around close to the former wharf crane and moored on the visitor moorings in order to go shopping and use the disposal facilities.

Limit of navigation

The town centre is quite pleasant and at least we found a good independent bread shop - who were able to talk most enthusiastically about the different loaves they have on offer - and a butcher (although we did not need any meat at this time) before adjourning to Sainsburys for the rest of our list. (A quick diversion to Julian Graves for some 'treats' was unavoidable but we did limit our purchases!)

High street shopping

After returning to the boat it was lunch time - the new bread was indeed tasty.

We set off back along the route we have come. We had previously had varying reports of what this part of the navigation would be like and most were quite downbeat. However, our view was that it was at least as pleasant as most towns we have been through and the moorings at the end looked OK for an overnight stop. It is only a very short distance before the countryside returns and less than a mile we were at the first lock.

South Mill Lock

The next stretch is very pleasant, especially in the warm sunshine.

Through Rushy Mead Nature Reserve

Just before Twyford Lock the propellor started to vibrate madly and as we came into the lock landing there was almost no thrust to manoeuvre at all. Down the weed hatch and Mike discovered a large ball of rope - fortunately it unwound itself quite easily. The water was very cold so he was plased it did not require cutting off with a knife a bit at a time, which might well have been the case.

At Tednambury Lock a metal detectorist was searching the lockside for buried treasure. He was excited when he unearthed what at first he thought has gold but turned out to be a golden toffee wrapper!

Tednambury Lock

From the lock there is a view across the meadows the the former mill at the end of the weir stream, along which boats are now moored as part of Hallingbury Marina.

Old Mill

Converted Maltings at Sawbridgeworth

At Sawbridgeworth we saw again, from a different angle, the converted maltings.

Sheering Mill Lock

At Sheering Mill Lock, a young boy being collected by his gran from school, was interested in how the lock works. As this lock is mechanised at the bottom end, he was please to be able to push the buttons to operate the sluices and gates.

Christine has been taking portraits again.

7.0 miles - 8 locks