It was grey when we started off but the morning gradually improved and we had periodic sunshine for most of the morning, generally moderately warm. Alas, it did not last and the afternoon was definitely overcast and somewhat chillier.
Our first lock was The Rising Sun Lock - Christine was amused by the sign outside. (It is been there for some time but she had not spotted it before)
At Ravens lane Lock, Mike recalled that there was a shop selling rather tasty pork pies so, whilst he worked the boat through the lock, Christine went off and came back with a welcome addition to our lunch. Note the blue sky!
OK, so there have been some heated discussions about mooring rules in this area but this sign does not really give much of a clue about how things now stand! Or perhaps a disgruntled boater has rubbed off the wording.
At the next lock we had to wait whilst Jules fuel boats came down. Alas we were not in need of any fuel supplies just yet. The gave a demonstration of how a pair can open the bottom gates with a rope which unhitches itself after the boat comes through.
We only had these three locks to go before we reached Berkhampsted where we had arranged to meet up with Andrew after his drive up from Devizes. As he sent a text to say that he had set off earlier than expected, when we tied up outside Waitrose, Christine went off shopping leaving Mike to guard the boat - just in case Andrew arrived. In fact he did get to the boat before Christine returned. After unloading from his car he went to find somewhere nearby to park it - the idea is that it is close to the station so that it is easy for him to catch a train back next week.
We set off once more and worked our way up the succession of locks.
Between the two Gas Locks a tree close to the towpath was being cut back. It looks as if this is not the first time it has been pollarded.
We finally reached the summit at Cowroast where we took advantage of the full range of services.
At the end of the summit pound we passed Bulbourne Wharf. This is subject to some intense consultation at the moment as CaRT are hoping to sell off most of the site to a developer, keeping just enough for a small maintenance base.
Shortly afterwards we arrived at the top of the Marsworth Locks and began the descent to Fenny Startford and the start of the long pound through Milton Keynes.
We completed the flight in just over an hour - it would have been under but for an inexperienced boat coming up through one of the locks in the middle of the flight.
The reservoirs - unsurprisingly - looked very full.
Spotted nb Bodmin - one day we will find out why it was named after our next door home town.
At Marsworth we could see the completed development of the former maintenance yard (they still look like converted indiustrial units!) Gossip suggests that some of the occupiers are already unhappy that boats use the facilties at the wharfside! especially as a completely new service lock has been built.
A short distance later we moored for the night where we expected that we could get a tv signal.
8.2 Miles - 17 Locks
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