Berkhampsted

It was quite sunny - but chilly - when Mike went to collect a paper (he had sorted out a nearby newsagent via Google last night) However, by the time we set off it had clouded over. nevertheless, it was not quite as cold as a few days ago - or perhaps we are becoming adjusted to it!

Boxmoor Lock 61

Some of the locks are designed so that water regularly flows over the bottom gates. At one lock the algae growth formed rather interesting patterns.

We had to approach Lock 61 at Winkwell rather cautiously as a boat had partially sunk at the lock landing. Whatever the state of the boat it is always sad to see one in this condition.

Winkwell Swing Bridge was fortunately working again - last week it had broken and was operated manually by CRT staff just three times a day.

The River Gade flows close to the canal for many miles - here it has been a little widened out to flow through an ornamental garden.

Just below Sewer Lock the treatment works were doing their bit to keep the navigation well topped-up! Last year this stretch around here (which has several troublesome locks that have to be left empty, even after boats that have just ascended) was very slow and we had several encounters with the bottom, even in the middle of the canal.

At Top Side Lock 56 there is a larger house opposite the standard lock keeper's cottage. It has a gate from its garden on to the lock side so we concluded that the house was originally part of the canal system. Also, alongside it we could see almost hidden remains of side ponds that once would have helped to save water in busy times.

Disused Side Ponds

We arrived at the Port of Berkhampstead following the same single handed pair that we followed yesterday. He was again leaving both top gates open - but he did empty the four locks that are so instructed.

In a small dry dock that has been restored -along with several older buildings converted to houses - is being used to build a very smart wooden boat - we could only just glimpse it but sounds of work could be heard.

Above Berkhampstead Lock 53 the pair moored up for a long lunch break - but we did not immediately pass it as we too needed to visit the nearby Waitrose for a larder replenishment. We actually ran out of bread so the second half of lunch today was much later! After shopping we moved to the opposite side to fill with water before finally setting off once more.

In the centre of Berkhampstead we have usually seen the river bed virtually dried up - which it does regularly. Needless to say, this time it was flowing well.

At Lock 52 we spotted this strange creature. Any guesses?

Above Bushes Lock, approaching 5 o'clock, we felt that it was time to moor up for the night. Another boat had just moored so we thought it should be suitable and a line of sight for the sat dish also seemed possible. However, we quickly discovered that most of the pound has a very shallow edge - but the other boat was local and they told us that we should find sufficient depth just below the next lock where one other boat was already moored. Eventually, after several failed attempts we did hammer in the pins but we are probably not fully afloat. Let's hope the water level does not drop overnight.

5.4 miles - 15 locks