Today was remarkably warm throughout and mostly sunny although clouds occasionally made their presence felt. We had stopped overnight just below Batchworth Lock so that we could go to the morning service at St Mary's Church, Rickmansworth. This was only a few minutes away from the main canal bridge - in all, including the walk along the towpath, it took around ten minutes!
The church, we have read, is quite old but was much 'restored' in Victorian times. Inside it was light and airy and, although set out with traditional pews, was quite attractive and had a dais at the chancel steps so that the action is much closer. Even so, with over 120 adults and children, there was plenty of room!
Part of the reason we had opted for this church, apart from its proximity to the canal, was because we had read that it was a joint Anglican-Methodist Church. However, the stronger influence was very much the former.
They had a visiting preacher - the Rural Affairs Officer for the Diocese of St Albans - who spoke quite strongly about the adverse effects of modern developments on farming communities. She, herself, had experienced this when, as a child, her father's farm was partly taken over for a road widening scheme.
Back at the boat we quickly changed and set off - at the lock we used the sani station but did not bother with water and the rubbish bin was rather a hike away.
Next came Lot Mead Lock - as with all of the locks today, the gap between is never more than about 15 minutes. Almost as much time for relaxation whilst waiting for the lock to fill!
Here, as with many, the lock cottage is substantially on the level below the lock, with road access from the lower level of the pound below. In some cases, there are problems with leakage through the lock walls and instructions are given to leave the lock empty. We only encountered one today but further up there are a few more like this. Sadly there are still folk who think that it is clever to ignore CRT instructions and either leave both gates open on departure or ignore the special cases.
At Croxley Green, a converted Dutch barge arrived to come down the lock as we came up. The young chap had bought it just three weeks ago from the nearby marina and was out on a test run. After it has been blacked in a week's time, he then plans to have it transported to where he lives on the River Exe near Exeter.
Although on a sunny Sunday afternoon it was no surprise to have plenty of onlookers and helpers, at Iron Bridge, alongside Cassiobury Park, there was a particularly good crowd. In addition to the usual youngster which Christine enrolled, Mike found quite a different helper. As she was parked where there is often a bollard suitable for the centre line, he enlisted her to hold it and then called her Mrs Bollard. She was rather amused.
On then through The Grove so the obligatory shot of this famous bridge. Actually, from a boating point of view, the next bridge just below Lady Capel's Lock is much more interesting and a quite special turnover bridge, rivalling the snake bridges on the Macclesfield. There ought to be a better shot but a tree blocks the best view.
More help, this time two small girls who really tried hard at the gates and paddles. the best thing about recruiting helpers is that they can be persuaded to close the gate after us so that we can drive straight out and not wait whilst one of us shuts it! (We are not stupid, you realise!)
Another lad helped at the last two locks of the day just before Hunton bridge. We stopped just after the road bridge and before the next lock, not wanting to be too close to the M25 although the railway line is inescapable. Although there were several boats moored where we expected to stop we failed to find enough depth of water to come alongside them and so had to go around the corner. Even there we ended up partly on the bottom and less hope of a tv signal.
6.3 miles - 10 locks
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