We drove up from Cornwall this morning and arrived just after 1:30. It was, after the rain and gales of recent days, a very pleasant day with generally clear blue skies. Inside the car we did not appreciate whether it was cold or very cold outside but it did make for an easier trip than if we had made it earlier in the week.
We were a little nervous about what we might find since the annual service had been done on Tuesday and we had not had any specific report back. Also, the same engineer was fitting a replacement alternator after our fiasco on Boxing Day. Since the alternator was very new - fitted along with the new engine last summer - we remain puzzled about why it failed so quickly. Would the engineer have properly tested it and would we still be able to set off for the week?
When we arrived and read the service notes there was nothing reported at all other than that the work had been completed as requested! We are here so that we can take the boat into Paddington - we have a week reserved at Rembrandt Gardens - so that Mike can attend the sessions of General Synod whilst Christine takes the opportunity to explore London. If we had to remain at Packet Boat Marina it would not be impossible but the time spent travelling would make it all much less flexible. We have to be back at the marina for Friday next week as we have a new mattress to be delivered then.
We unloaded the car as quickly as possible and filled up with water before we were able to set off just on 3 o'clock. our original plan allowed enough time to reach central London tomorrow but by making a start today we should be able to arrive just that bit earlier and be able to take more time in settling in on our mooring for the week.
As we left the marina it was quite warm but within the hour it was necessary to put on another warm layer as the sun began to approach the skyline.
Work on Crossrail around West Drayton station continues apace. Each time we come this way more has been done. The former John Guest works opposite their new works were demolished gradually over the past couple of years as part f the Crossrail works. But this time we could see that the clean-up of the site is almost complete although we could not work out what its future use might be. Access seems to be limited to the original canal bridge. Perhaps next time we will be able to see.
We did pass one boat coming the other way but we were also surprised to see somewhat fewer moored boats than expected. This is a stretch that in recent past has been used by many liveaboards for the winter.
Approaching Bulls Bridge there was a noticeable lack of the coffee aroma that signalled the approach to the junction until recently when the Nescafe factory closed. It still stands silently - presumably awaiting a decision by its new owners about what to do with the site now that Nestle's production has moved to Derbyshire. Instant coffee had been produced here since the factory opened in 1913. It seems that it is thought likely that, like the Vinyl Factory site nearby, intensive housing schemes will fill the space.
Some interesting photos can be found here
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/nestle-coffee-factory-hayes-june-2015.t97118
With the light beginning to fade, we moored at the junction soon after 4.15. It seems to be a comparatively quiet spot. Opposite is a large Tesco superstore - not sure how it can be accessed from this side. If we had wanted, there was just about room to moor on the 'shopping' space but our plan is to call at one of the Sainsburys tat we expect to pass in the middle of tomorrow.
3.8 Miles - 0 Locks
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