Bourne End to Apsley.

2.4 miles, 8 locks, 3hrs 15mins.

A very pleasant start to the day, the sunshine was quite warming, despite the few spits and spots of snow throughout the morning.

Approaching Winkwell swingbridge.

Winkwell Dock looks very neat and tidy these days. Someone had been working hard cleaning it all up.

Last time we passed the Fishery’s Inn it was being renovated, which has now all been completed, the colour scheme is a tad dull though. We had hoped to moor at Two Waters, but there was no room, so we carried onto to just above Apsley top lock, where we were able to get close to the towpath, but we were not happy about being moored there on mooring pins, so after lunch I walked down past middle Apsley lock and there was room on the ringed moorings there, so we moved down through the 2 locks which we shared with another boat.

We popped over the canal to Argos and purchased this Coolbox.

It will tide us over for now until we can get our Fridge/Freezer fixed, to keep things like milk, butter, cheese etc. nice and cool.

Keith.

Berkhamsted to Bourne End

1 mile, 3 locks, 1hr 10mins

A cold start with some ice around, but very gusty winds, should make travelling interesting today.

Sunshine at Top Side Lock No.56. We found our friends Les and Jac moored below Sewer lock, where we knew they were, and we pulled in, moored up, and had a coffee with them before lunch. We look forward to seeing them again later this evening.

After lunch we took a walk into Bourne End to discover a very handy outdoor clothing outlet called Complete Outdoors.

A pair of rather picturesque cottages.

We returned via the canal from the Winkwell swingbridge and the Three Horseshoes.

Keith.

Cowroast to Berkhamsted

3 miles, 9 locks, 3hrs.

A very cold start to the morning’s journey. We stopped at Berkhamsted for shopping at the Tesco Metro, before carrying on.

Berkhamsted lock.

The port of Berkhamsted.

The Rising Sun.

Just as we pulled in to moor up above Top Side Lock No. 56 it started to snow, so we timed that right!

Keith.

Marsworth to Cowroast

4.1 miles, 7 locks, 2hrs 35mins.

We set off this morning amidst very light snow for Cowroast. Jo wanted to get the Marsworth flight out of the way before the forecasted colder weather arrives tomorrow, and we also needed to fill up with water.

Marsworth flight.

Marsworth top lock, with dry dock alongside.

Top lock cottage, made famous in the movie “The Bargee”.

Bulbourne junction and the Wendover arm.

Cyprus and  Cedar on their home mooring. We took on water just above Cowroast lock, then moored up below the lock.

Keith.

Wilstone to Marsworth.

1.55 miles, 9 locks, 2hrs 45mins.

Wall-to-wall sunshine this morning.

Starting up the 8 locks to re-join the main Grand Union canal.

Interesting ridge tile in the lock cottage at Black Jack’s lock No.4.

View of the Chiltern Hills in the morning mist.

Black Jack’s lock.

The staircase locks at the junction.

Marsworth Junction.

Keith.

Bridge No.12 to Wilstone.

2.95 miles, 5 locks, 1hr 55mins.

Sunny periods turned into sunshine throughout the morning.

The Aylesbury arm is very straight.

This is the largest milk processing plant in Europe, apparently. It is alongside Buckland lock No.12, they are in the process of hiding it from the canal with a new high embankment, fencing on top of this embankment and they are planting new trees as they go. Unfortunately this new embankment and fence now obscures the great view of the Chilterns from along here.

 

Puttenham locks.

The offside undergrowth has had a haircut along most of the arm. After lunch we walked into the village.

Access to the village from the canal is via this track.

The village hall at the end of the track.

The Half Moon pub.

The church of St. Cross.

The Village Shop and Antiques Shop.

Wilstone is a very quaint and picturesque village.

We carried on walking to Wilstone Reservoir, part of the Tring Reservoirs.

It is a very large reservoir, and is manmade on 3 sides, quite a feat of civil engineering, built in 1802.

Overspill from the reservoir, which feeds into the Aylesbury arm.

Daffodils are starting to emerge in the spring sunshine.

Keith.

A Very Cold Death

Our fridge/freezer died today. We only filled it up yesterday. We have had to restart our small freezer and transferred all the frozen stuff across. Will just have to see what happens to the contents of the fridge.

Keith.

Leaky Canal!

Whilst Jo was taking Paddy for his morning walk she discovered this the other side of Bridge No.12 on the Aylesbury arm!

Anybody got any handy sandbags?

Keith.