Another day to ourselves

Definitely milder now, no sign of ice. Nevertheless we took the morning slowly at first, going out for a walk after coffee. No sooner had we reached the gate to the marina but a phone call meant that Mike had to go back to the boat to check diary dates!

Wrapped up well, a walk along the towpath was very pleasant - Christine bumped her head during the night so was especially looking for fresh air to clear the internal fog. We saw a number of boats on the move.

At Iver Lane we transferred to the London LOOP and continued northwards along the River Colne from where we reached a few days back. this section is also known as the River Colne Way.

The first part of the path has recently been re-made but alongside a strong security fence so the views were not great. The new path ceased at the end of the fencing and we were back to a more traditional pathway!

Near Uxbridge the LOOP has to divert away from the river and we walked then to the main road where we could pick up the 222 bus route back to Packet Boat Lane. Crossing the bridge over the river we spotted this sign - amused to see that the wartime inconvenience of a weight limit was overcome simply by removing the sign!

This bridge was first built in 1809 and widened in 1895. This plate replaces a 5 ton weight sign erected at that time. The original plate was removed during the 1939-45 war to allow heavy military vehicles to cross the bridge. 1996

One of the small shops where we alighted the bus was able to supply our newspaper so we did not have a reason for another walk later!

Lunch, with the last two portions of Christine's latest soup, extended this time with the last of the beg that we did not eat with our roast beef dinner last night. More a vegetable stew than a soup, but very warming!

It is possible that we shall be able to get diesel tomorrow from High Line alongside the marina. If we do and the weather is not too adverse - especially if like today - we could well take a longer trip. As a result we spent most of the afternoon sorting, packing and getting ready for our return home on Sunday.

Having left the hosepipe laid out along the roof last time we went home, there was a dirty mark all along. So, Mike decided that it would be better to clear it now before it has time to turn permanent. However, he quickly discovered just how dirty surfaces become in London rain! As a result the whole roof was cleaned but no doubt will be back to the same state by the time we return for the start of the season.

We had seen a number of police people around, starting with one along the towpath by Cowley Lock and then a whole group as we came back into the marine after our walk. Yovi, who sometimes works in the marina office, said that they were looking for a young lady who had gone missing.

Later, there were even more police and it seems that the lady in question sadly died on board her boat in the marina. Although she was moored not far from us we cannot recall meeting her. Some of the residents are very chatty but other boats we are aware that sometimes there is someone on board but never seen.

By the end of the afternoon a lot of packing had been completed and the first trolley load taken to the car. It usually takes around four or five loads when we arrive or depart.