Oh dear - the weather forecast was correct again! We awoke to a rather grey day and somewhat chilly at first. However the main part of the day was not especially cold but we lacked the sunshine of the last fortnight to warm us up. Only just before we moored did we feel a dampness in the air but at least it did not rain.
The former gravel wharf is now clear of any sign of its previous use. Only a short day hire boat was moored there. In fact we would see this boat again just a little later as it arrived at Denham Deep. This was helpful as the man aboard was able to sell us a bottle of gas from the fuel boat which was moored below the lock. (Christine had tried to locate someone without success so we were just about to go up. He agreed to bring the bottle up to the lock once we had reached the upper level.
The gravel wharf was for a time part of a project to use the canal for freight and linked the numerous gravel workings in this area with the aggregate works not far from Packet Boat which we see whenever we come off the motorway coming to the boat.
Just before Black Jack's Lock we spotted this creature. It must be either valuable or dangerous (or both) as its owner has carefully chained it down.
The mill house at the lock has now been sold - it was on the market when we came down in the autumn. It looks happily occupied now.
In the next pound we came past a large flat top barge with a couple of men arranging their power tools ready to start work. When we came down we saw that the wood fender along the edge of this housing development was being replaced - we were told this time that this was the last piece to be fitted. Whilst they are being cut to size they look very much more substantial than when viewed from a distance and in situ.
After the next bridge is a well-known hazard - sometimes fierce mill stream crossing the canal right above the bridge hole. It was reasonably strong this time - not always so. For a short distance we had to counteract the side force as we were pushed across. It is no doubt fun for the canoeists who have slalom poles set up just below the outflow.
The area alongside the lock at Copper Mill is gradually being developed. Work has now reached the stage where it is possible to see the size of the blocks being built.
A heron landed to guard the bottom gates at Springwell just as well had almost filled the lock. After this zoom shot it took off once more and our next photo was alas only a blur!
Stocker's Lock was one of those which received attention during the winter's stoppage season. New gates at both top and bottom - the old lower gates are still sitting ion a barge awaiting their disposal. The lock cottage is being painted - sadly the collection of old canal implements that once occupied the space in front of the building has been cleared way. Perhaps it might return once the painting is complete.
We stopped at Frogmore Wharf - first to have lunch (Christine's latest soup) and then to do a little shopping in the Tesco store. The art work on the end of the building seems to have been changed.
Just above Batchworth Lock (where we made a very quick trip to the sani station) we saw this boat CrinkCronk on the long term moorings. It may not be the most elegant of boats and lacking a little TLC, but its quirk shape is somehow appealing and it deserves an entry in our Unusual Boats Gallery.
We have not taken much notice of the old railway bridge below Lot Mead Lock before. Whilst the lock was emptying, Mike took a quick look and discovered that it is now part of a well established cycle and footpath, Ebury Way.
By the time we reached Croxley we had achieved our minimum target for today even though it was only a quarter to four. Our plans for the first three full days are fairly slack until we taken extra staff! So, despite there being more cruising time available we called a halt on a good piece of towpath with good piling to moor to.
8.2 Miles - 9 Locks
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