Bulbourne

Our plan was to reach the summit pound today and hopefully moor just above the Marsworth flight at Bulbourne. With the shortage of water in the main summit reservoirs, there are restrictions on lock opening. We need to be at Cowroast Lock by 3pm when it is locked but as the last entry at Marsworth is 1.30 we know that we have no chance of passing through there today.

We set off promptly on what was generally a fine and often sunny day. After the first lock we knew that it was likely to be a low pound as this has long been the case - it is mentioned in Nicholsons as a pound to avoid for overnight mooring.



Low pound above lock 58

As we were about to set off, Mike discovered that the laptop had been infected by the new Smart Fortress virus and although he ran the anti virus check it failed to rectify the problem. Hence the late appearance of this blog.

Indeed it was low but we managed to keep a good course down the middle without mishaps but in the next pound, also low, we encountered an underwater obstructions, probably a large coping stone, which wedged under the centre of the boats, the hardest place from which to get free. It took at least ten minutes of forwards and backwards eventually to release us - the adjacent moored boats did not help!

Former Lock 56 Cottage 

The lock cottages are all now privately owned and this one is just finishing and extensive and effectively modern extension.

Mid morning and we were approaching the self declared Port of Berkhamsted. This was at one time the limit for wide beam boats. The former wharf was under development when we last passed this way but it is now smart new housing.

Redeveloped Berkhampsted Wharf

Not too sure that the Crystal Palace deserves it self comparison with its more famous cousin!

We stopped at the open park area by the new footbridge for water and shopping. Christine went shopping giving mike another chance to sort the laptop, unsuccessfully. He also filled up with water whilst waiting for Christine who had to take an additional diversion as the footbridge was closed for work to be on it.

Amusing to note that the original pumping house at Northchurch Lock is the same age as ourselves.

Northchurch Pumping Station

A few locks on and we had a short lunch break as 3pm and Cowroast were in our sights - which we finally reached with 20 minutes or so to spare. Whilst coming up the lock we emptied the elsan but that did not delay us.
 

Cowroast Lock

 The two and a half mile summit pounds is being kept deliberately low in an experiment to see if it reduces the exceptional water loss through the canal banks. Although slow, progress was not difficult but meeting another boat on a bend took some care!

It is probably not the cause of the water loss but the low level did expose the poor state of the bank edge where much of the stonework has fallen away

We arrived at Bulbourne where the moorings were much emptier than usual and so we stayed the night just above the top lock. It was indeed very firmly locked.

The Toll House

7.3 miles - 13 locks