It was rather misty when we made a relatively early start this morning. At least it was dry and not too chilly. It turned out that we had a little more time today that we thought. At first, Mike set up today's route on the basis that we would overnight in Berkhampstead. However, later on, Christine discovered a church very close to the canal at Northchurch so we opted for that as our destination today. Unfortunately, Mike forgot then to update his canal plan - we had about an hour more than expected!
First we had the three Seabrook Locks. Although they are listed as a flight, they are quite spread out so we did not gain the usual efficiencies from working locks in a flight.
Above these three locks comes a swing bridge which, as swing bridges go, was relatively easy to move.
The next two locks are close together and are listed as Marsworth Locks but they are quite separate from the main Marsworth flight that comes just after the junction with the Aylesbury Arm. The creeper on the front of the top lock cottage has turned an interesting colour but the branches form an intriguing network pattern.
A wide beam boat just beyond the locks has all the appearance of never moving. With its forest of trees occupying not only the whole roof but also all of the stern and bow decks, there is not much space to be able to steer!
At the junction, the re-development of the former canal workshop and base is nearing completion - including what seems to be a new service block for boaters, no time to stop and look this time. Not clear whether the old 'tip out' elsan unit will be demolished when the block is finished.
As we felt earlier in the year when the buildings were at a much earlier stage of completion, the architecture is not exciting. They look like someone's idea of what will sell at above the market rate for what are probably nothing special as houses. We also wondered what was hidden behind the wooden doors all along the ground floor.
10:30 and we were ready to tackle the flight of eight locks. We did have a little help from three small children - and their parents - for the first few locks but their stamina seemed to desert them by the time we were half way!
The reservoirs seemed to be pretty much full.
The house at the lock one down from the summit is always a welcome sight. We also noticed a Royal Mail van parked by the top lock with no postie in sight. As we were nearly finished filling the long, she returned having had to deliver post to the house further down the flight which has no nearer road access. It also offers Bed and Breakfast. let's hope the guests know abut the walk before they arrive.
In any event, we made good progress and arrived at the top of the flight at seven minutes before noon. Rather better than we had allowed.
A twee shed beside a boat moored just above the flight.
We have heard that the workshops at Bulbourne are also to be developed as housing although the part still used by CRT especially for loading new lock gates onto boats is to be retained.
This brought us to the Tring Summit pound which is very dark, overlooked by trees and much of it in a cutting. As a result we hardly noticed the distinct change in the weather - we left Marsworth Junction still partly overcast (although we had seen some hints of sunshine) but by the time we emerged near to Cowroast, almost clear skies had arrived and the rest of the day was very pleasant indeed.
As we had much more time than we thought when we set off this morning, we were definitely able to treat ourselves to a proper lunch hour! Just before we moored we saw this family trying to inflate a small boat - it seemed like real hard work and they had plenty yet to fill!
From here is it downhill all the way, beginning with the top lock at Cowroast. A CRT workboat was moored rather close to the water point, which in turn does not leave much of the lock landing, so we abandoned the idea of filling our water tank (we can last at least a couple of days anyway) but used the disposal facilities once we were in the lock.
The two Dudswell lock arrived before long below the summit and then it was only a shirt run to Northchurch Lock. We were not sure whether to moor above or below the lock - the chances of a tv signal would be about the same in both cases, but there was quite a line of boats above the lock. Christine took a look beyond where there were only three boats so we decided to go down and try our luck there.
We had not been near anywhere for a paper today but Mike knew that a short distance from the lock was a supermarket where he had picked up a paper before. Mind you, that was first thing in the morning. It was now nigh on three o'clock so Christine set off to the shop leaving Mike to work the boat down. The lock was empty and a bottom gate open so it was not going to be quick.
However, as she set off she spotted a boat coming up so Mike had an even longer wait. When he came into the lock he reported that another boat was following behind so more wait! As a result by the time Mike was just moving the boat out at the bottom of the lock, Christine returned just in time to close the gate.
8.7 Miles - 16 Locks
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