A miserable morning. Set off for Guildford. Shared the first two locks but the other boat stopped for water at the third, so I carried on.
Moored in Guildford and went to the Keystone for lunch.
Waited till the rain stopped and then carried on the 2 miles and 2 locks to Shalford. As the bank was quite soft I used the big mooring pins for only the second time, the first time was also on the River Wey.
Walked into Shalford to go to the Queen Victoria the back to the Parrot to eat.
A nice day and no restrictions on the Wey. Set off to get to Byfleet for lunch. Met another boat at the first loack and we wnt through two locks together. I had to do the third lock myself and discovered the need for front and aft ropes due to the gate paddles. Also the paddle gear can be very stiff despite the long handle windlass that I had hired.
Moored by Byfleet Boat Club and walked into Byfleet to visit the Plough for lunch. On the way back I purchased some bread and milk.
In the afternoon I did not get to share any locks but I did get help from hire boats coming downstream.
Emptied the loo above Pyrford lock and filled up with water at Cartbidge wharf. Moored for the night by the New Inn at Cart Bridge, Send.
Mark came along to Kingston to help me get off the Thames and onto the River Wey at Shepperton. There was quite a strong current due to the weirs being opened to get the levels back down to normal. It was also very cold due to the wind. With Marks advice I went round the wrong side of some of the islands. Had lunch en route.
The hairiest bit was going across the bottom of the weir at Shepperton to get to the Wey. There was a very strong current which bounced off the oppsite bank causing a whirlpool in front of the mouth of the Wey.
We did not need to use the gates on the outer pound at Thames lock to get over the cill as the level was 3ft higher than usual!
Moored above the lock for the night. We were collected by car from here to be taken back to the real world for the evening.
Joined two other narrowboats in the lock at 8am. It rained all the way to Teddington which took just under 4 hours. There was hardly any boat traffic in central London but further on we encountered quite a few rowing boats and a whole flottilla of cruisers coming downstream.
Moored above the lock at Teddington to go back and get a licence. The we went to the Queen Dowager for lunch.
After that we wnet to the station where John and Andy caught a train to Waterloo to get hone.
Later in the afternoon I moved further up river to Kingston. I was going to go out for a drink but it started to rain. It was a wild and wet night, but I slept quite well.
Andy and Simon arrived in time for us to leave shortly after 10am. We also collected Jon on his bike near St. Pancras.
Stopped for lunch at the Narrowboat in Islington. Jon left us here on arrival and Simon left on departure.
Turned off the Regents canal onto the Hertford Union and the south on the River Lee to Old Ford Lock, by which time it was raining. After that turned left to go round the Bow Back River loop which has been dredged since my last visit.
Squeezed into a gap in Limehouse. Ended up eating in The Narrow, which has gone more upmarket. The restaurant was fully booked so we had to select from the very limited bar menu. After that we moved to the Grapes which used to be in the GBG.
For lunch I went to the Duke of Wellington in Marylebone. Here I had the cheapest sandwich since Worksop, only £2!
On the way back to Jacob I went to Maplins to buy a new lead for my GPS. The lead that I wanted is now only mail order, but they had sound meters on special offer again and also some solar panels so I got those.
In the evening Mark come round and we went for a lovely meal in Zizzis. The food was good but the service was slow.
Went on a day trip home to do some washing, clear the doormat and email.
When I got back I went to the Mad Bishop in Paddington station to eat. This is a Fullers pub which is accessed from the shopping area but is in what appears to a grand room in the old station building.
Rudely awoken at 7.30am by horrendous noises from the works next to the canal which we had not spotted when we moored.
Purchased some fresh bread and milk so that we could had a bacon sarnie for breakfast.
Just as we were ready to set off a wide barge and pusher tug nabbed the lock. Only 4 locks today. Passed Tudor Rose moored at Uxbridge.
Stopped at Uxbridge boat centre for fuel. I had dipped the tank and was surprised to find 1cm above the low level mark. Managed to get in 104l which meant we qualified for the 1p lower rate of 48p/l. Also bought some cable for the throttle. To fit it we had to slightly enlarge one of the end fittings, but the end result should last for longer than the original.
All this meant we were now running late but we made it to Hayes in time for a pint and a meal in the Wetherspoons. Mikes car would not start so I removed the engine battery from Jacob and Mike carried it to the car to jump start it.
I did not get away till 3.30pm but managed to average 3.6mph and arrived at Little Venice by 8.30pm.
Little Venice was very busy and I moored even further out that last time. Tudor Rose passed by at modnight.
Went to the Union for a pint and a beefburger.
Started at 930 and immediately another boat joined us at the first lock.
Moored near Croxley Green station and went to the Sportsman for lunch.
Again after lunch we were joined by another boat, Tudor Rose, and we shared all the way to south Harefield, where we moored above the lock.
Walked to Denham. We failed to find the footpath shortcut, and ended up going the long way round, almost 2 miles. Went to the Falcon to eat accompanied some very good Brakspears bitter. We managed three couses, maily because the portions were small, especially my sweet.
After that we tried the other two pubs, both of which had good beer despite not being in the Good Beer Guide. Ordered a taxi back.
Left Berko at about 9am, going solo through the locks for a while until I teamed up with another boat just in time to go through Winkwell swing bridge. We both wanted diesel but the boatyard there was closed.
Saw Jannock and Parglena of Cutweb and Canals list fame at Bourne End.
Also saw quite a few old working boats coming north from the Rickmansworth canal festival. Including one pair travelling breasted up through a bridge hidden by a tree.
Moored in in Boxmoor and went for lunch at the Fishery Inn. This pub was being refurbished 7 years ago and is now an Ember Inn.
After that carried on through Hemel and Aspley to Kings Langley where I managed to moor 2' 6" from the bank.
Met Mike at the station and we went to the Saracens Head.
Left Little Tring and squeezed our way through the boats moored both sides for the festival next weekend. The water level had dropped overnight which had made things worse than when we arrived.
Turned south at Bulboune down the Grand Union. Stopped briefly at Cowroast to check out the fuel price, which 52p. That combined with the difficulty of getting in to the marina to buy it meant we didn't bother.
On trying to leave Cowroast lock the throttle cable broke so we moored to sort it out. The chandlery didn't have anything suitable so I used a bit of 2.5mm wire.
Arrived in Berhamsted for a late lunch at the Boat. It was very busy and due to the delay for food, Ian did not order any, as he had a train to catch.
Stayed in Berhamsted for the rest of the day, and visited the Lamb and the Crystal Palace in the evening.
A good sunny start to the day we left Aylesbury by 9am. Stopped below lock 4 on the Aylesbury Arm and walked to the Anglers Retreat for lunch. As arranged Mike turned up later with Victoria and Tom.
At Marsworth junction we turned right and teamed up with another boat to go through the locks up to Bulbourne. Here we turned right onto the Wendover Arm which is now longer than it was 7 years ago. We winded at the end and backed into the very end of the canal where we moored for the night.
Mike, Tom and Victoria left us there and later myself and Ian walked the mile into Tring to go the Kings Arms. This has been in the Good Beer Guide 25 years running. They had a good selection of beers and some interesting food.
Only our second dry day in 2 weeks..
Had a lie in and a late start. Turned off onto the Aylesbury Arm and stopped for lunch at Wilstone, which is where we stopped 7 years ago. Except this time I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt instead of feeling like a drowned rat.
Carried on down to Aylesbury. Pulled in for water then turned round and moored for the night on the offside with permission from the guy on the welcome boat of the Alyesbury Canal Society.
Went to The Hop Pole for food and some Vale Brewery beers, followed by some beer from the Chiltern brewery in the King's Head. This pub is owned by the National Trust but is run by the Chiltern Brewery and had four of their beers on draught.
A warmer day but with a bit of drizzle.
Stopped for lunch at Slapton and walked to the Carpenter Arms expecting to find the home of the Vale Brewery, however the canal guide was jumping the gun, and they never actually brewed here and have sold it. However we had some very good London Pride.
Stopped for the night at Marsworth. Went to the Red Lion to eat then on to the Anglers Retreat.
Left Stoke Bruerne bottom lock on a dry and relatively warm morning. It started to rain when we got to Wolverton and just finished by the time we moored for lunch at the Black Horse, Great Linford. They only had Tim Taylors Landlord which was good. The open sandwiches were better and cheaper than the ones last night.
After that we carried on through Milton Keynes. Stopped at Willowbridge to buy some new fenders, having destroyed two in last few days I had no spares. Then on to Soulbury to find that the Three Locks pub was closed.
However Mike and Rosie soon turned up in a car to take us to the Bell in Beachampton, where we had a two course meal with Hook Norton Hooky beer.
Left Welton Hythe and turned left at Norton junction onto the Grand Union main line. Another boat joined us to share Bucky locks. We moored briefly at Whilton so that I could collect some filters from the chandlery.
Pressed on to Weedon for lunch. Walked into Lower Weedon to the Plume of Feathers where we were served beer in jug type glasses.
In the afternoon we carried on through Blisworth tunnel and down Stoke Bruerne locks where we moored for the night at the bottom.
Walked back up to the Boat Inn where I had a very expensive smoked salmon sandwich. It was twice the price of the one I had 4 days ago, and not as good. The beer also was not cheap, the Marstons Old Empire was £3.00 a pint, but it was good. We finished off with a pint in the the Navigation, to see what that was like. Very much a family pub but with three beers, we had the Banks's Amber.
Left Welford and turned left at Welford Junction to carry on south down the Leicester section of the Grand Union.
Moored for lunch at Crick where we went to the Red Lion to eat, then on to the Royal Oak, which is in the GBG but does not do food.
After lunch we went through Crick tunnel and down Watford locks. Moored for the night opposite Welford Hythe marina. As it was not raining we decided to walk to the White Horse in Welton for the evening.
Arrived at Foxton to find 3 boats on their way down so we had to wait about 1/2 hour. Then we were the first of two boats going up with one coming down, which we passed at the half way point.
Moored at the top of the flight near Gumley bridge, and walked to the Bell Inn in Gumley. We had an excellent 2 course lunch, the best meal so far. By the time we had finished that it was raining, which continued for a few hours.
Carried on in the rain south through Husbands Bosworth tunnel and then turned off onto the Welford Arm to Welford where we moored for the night in a mobile phone blackspot.
Went to the Wharf Inn to eat then into the village. The Shoulder of Mutton is no longer a pub, but the bar of the Elizabethan restaurant was open, so we went in there. Then we went back the Wharf Inn.
Up at 8 and got under way just in time to beat two other boats setting off, who would have left all the locks set against us.
Caught up with another boat which had been moored at Newton Harcourt, and we shared the last 5 locks up to Saddington Tunnel.
Carried on through the tunnel and moored at the southern end. Walked up the hill for lunch in the Queens Head in Saddington village.
Carried on to Foxton where we moored opposite the Inn. Left the water tank filling whilst we went for a pint in the BW refurbished Inn and a mooch round the Inclined plane.
Then went up the Market Harborough arm to Market Harborough where we winded and moored for the night. Went to the Sugar Loaf (Wetherspoons) to eat, then on to the Cherry Tree.
Decided that we would only go as far as Kilby Bridge today, so I had time to go into town and look at cameras. We had seen a Jessops last night and I also found a Jacobs where I purchased another Ricoh.
Moved on to Aylestone where we went to the Black Horse for lunch. It was an Everards pub and I had their new beer called Sly Fox, which is flavoured with Ginger and was excellent.
After that we were off the River Soar and onto the Grand Union Lecester Line which carries on round the south of Lecester to Kilby Bridge. All the locks needed a BW key to operate the paddles.
Moored at Kilby Bridge and went out to try and catch the bus that we had picked up a leaflet about, but we gave up and ended up walking to Wigston to get a bus to Leicester city centre.
Went to the Corn Exchange (Lloyds No.1) to eat then to the Globe, Shakespeares Head, and Out of the Vaults.
Managed to catch a bus back closer to Kilby Bridge than on the way out.
Stopped for lunch at the Hope and Anchor, Syston, which is a Hungry Horse pub. Then on into Leicester where we moored on the secure pontoon at Castle gardens.
Visited 4 pubs in the city, Leicester Gateway to eat, Swan and Rushes, Ale Wagon and the Criterion.
Moored for the night outside the Albion in Loughborough. They were still doing food so we ate there. Then we walked up the town arm, which is currently closed whilst building works are taking place, to the Swan in the Rushes, and finished in the Tap and Mallet.
Made a diversion at Trent Lock to go to Sawley. Filled up with fuel at Sawley marina 48p/l and turned round before we moored. Then we went to Harrington Arms for a short lunch.
I have never used the southern lock at Sawley so we used that on the way back. It has now been mechanised so is more popular now. This time we turned south at Trent Lock onto the River Soar.
Stopped for lunch at the Hope and Anchor, Syston, which is a Hungry Horse pub. Then on into Leicester where we moored on the secure pontoon at Castle gardens.
Visited 4 pubs in the city, Leicester Gateway to eat, Swan and Rushes, Ale Wagon and the Criterion.
Made slow progress through the beautiful stretch to Gunthorpe. It was very windy with the occaisional squally shower. Moored in Gunthorpe on the secure pontoon, and went for lunch at Tom Browns. Just one course and a pint of real ale. I had chicken stuffed with black pudding served with bubble and squeak, which was excellent.
Pressed on in order to get to Nottingham. Moored on the Nottingham Canal near Sainsburys. Ate in the Canalhouse which is now owned by Tynemill, then on to the Newshouse which is also a Tynemill pub, then the Cock and Hoop and finally the Bell Inn.
The river was quite busy and we lost count of the number of boats that we saw. We cruised non stop and arrived at Cromwell lock at 4pm. Carried on through Nether lock and moored in Newark.
Went to eat in the Tynemill chain Fox and Crown, then on to the Mail Coach and the Castle and Falcon. Then tried the Castle, but that appeared to be shut, so we looked into Wetherspoons, but they didn't have any guest beers so we went back to the Fox and Crown.
Stopped for lunch at the Blacksmiths Arms in Clayworth. Had an excellent fresh Lobster and crab cannelonni.
Stopped for the night at West Stockwith. Moored further back than usual on the piling where there is no concrete shelf. Had a snack on board then to the Waterfront Inn for the evening, which was doing food.
Shortly after leaving Kilton lock we picked up a piece of carpet round the prop. I had a go with a Stanley knife until I managed to cut myself, into a vein in my arm. Having sorted that out, Ian had a go and managed to get the rest off, but he cut himself too.
Made good progress to West Retford and even crossed two boats coming the other way. One of them was the guy who followed me to West Stockwith last year hoping to buy Jacob. He asked again if I was selling.
Moored in our usual spot in West Retford and went to the new Wetherspoons, The Dominie Cross, to eat. Then on to the Brick and Tile to get away from the noise in Wetherspoons.
Ian arrived on the 18.09, I went to meet him mainly so that I could get some milk and bread at the shop.
Went for fish and chips then to the Hewitt Arms for a couple of beers. There is a vintage rally there this weekend. There was an Aveling-Barford roller there, but it was a petrol one. After that we caught a train to Worksop for a few beers at the Mallard.
