The day started with quite heavy rain but, in contrast with the forecast which promised that it would continue until lunch time, it dried up around 10 and was again warm and sometimes a little sun broke through - but not too strenuously!
We had moored overnight above Widewater Lock as we had identified this as the best place from which to find a church - at Denham Green, a thirties/fifties suburb which grew up to take advantage of the nearby rail station with services into London. Even so, it was over a mile away but we had also discovered that there is a bus service that would take us most of the way, even though it was only one stop!
The stop to go from was just at the bridge over the canal and, perhaps even a minute or so early, the bus duly arrived and our bus passes again proved to be of great value! Having also 'walked' the rest of the route on street View it was not difficult and only took about five minutes to find the small church. Built in the middle of the 20C as a multi-purpose hall, it is a daughter church to the main parish in Denham.
There were only 15 of us there but we received a really warm welcome. A Service of the Word, it was led by a lay person but a retired priest preached. It was a congregation that, although generally elderly (made us look quite young!) clearly enjoyed a thought provoking talk. After the service we stayed for coffee and again were made to feel really welcome. As we were about to leave, one of the ladies offered to give us a lift - and also a guided tour of Denham Village thrown in as well. All in all, it felt a much more genuine Christian community than some places we have visited.
Back at the boat we changed fairly promptly so that we could set off through the remaining four locks and five miles to Packet Boat marina where we are leaving the boat for the winter, as we have done in the previous three winters. It is convenient for London and Windsor.
Just below the first lock, the Horse and Barge pub looks forlorn. Its owners are still looking for new lessees but it is a long way from returning to an active life. At least its name will live on as the designation for the bus stop we used earlier!
Almost every proposed crossing of a canal by the HS2 route seems to be marked by an opposition sign. Just a short distance away is the bridge that carries an existing railway and which everyone now seems to take for granted. After all, it was the stretching of the central London Underground right out into the countryside that stimulated the growth of places like Denham that were otherwise quite isolated from the capital.
Once again, at Denham Deep Lock, we were reminded that however often we pass along a canal there is always something new or changed to see. In this case, just metres above the lock Fray's River (a part of the River Colne) passes under the canal on a short aqueduct.
This otherwise uninteresting photo is included because of the beautiful patterns of the reflections from the water.
Another detail not spotted before: the old wartime defensive pill box built into the end of a bridge just below Uxbridge. One wonders just what detailed planning suggested that such structures would actually be useful in the defence of the realm. Still, they did at least give the appearance that the government of the day was doing something to protect its citizens!
At three o'clock we turned onto the Slough arm at Cowley Peachy junction, but only for about 50 metres! Christine jumped off at the entrance to walk around and identify our mooring and point it out to Mike as he reversed the boat onto the pontoon as the end of this year's cruising.
We quickly set about boat cleaning - Mike was especially designated to clean the newly painted roof - so that it once again looks as if it is newly painted! We made good progress and packed most things into the car ready for tomorrow's journey back home.
5.2 miles - 4 locks
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