They made it hard for us today

Wednesday, 07 September 2011 20:30

After "holing up" yesterday because of the wind and rain, we were ready to move again.

This is the first time we have seen a lock entrance to a marina

This was one lock we did not have to do, but, like the rest of today's locks, it was set against us .......

Roydon Village Marina is pretty new and it seemed to have about three entrances! It stretches from well below Brick Lock to Roydon Mill. Most of the moorings and the facilities are at Roydon Mill end.

Brick Lock Cottage, the plaque dated 1830 has a hand and initials G D.

G D stands for George Duckett (once George Jackson). He took the name Duckett on his second marriage to the daughter of another George Duckett (MP)  becoming 1st Baronet. George was one of the instigators, and then owner, of the Stort Navigation. His son, also George, succeeded him as the owner after his father's death in 1822. 

Before reaching Roydon Lock, we negotiated the bridge and sharp right-hand turn at Roydon Mill. Looking back, you can appreciate the manoeuvre! The Mill and the Marina are straight on.

Roydon Mill, looking back the navigation goes under the bridge

There are some lovely Meads - or water meadows - above the lock and, despite the lack of sunshine, it was great to be out in the countryside. Of course, man has to spoil it by building a railway and main road in the flood plain.

Roydon Mead

Hunsdon Mill Lock is lovely. The mill buildings have been enhanced with a beautiful garden. It was here that we met our first boats coming downstream - they had to wait, as we were filling the lock as they arrived.

Hunsdon Mill

Eastwick Mead becomes Parndon Mead. The peace is shattered by the roar of the traffic  on the north side, on the A414, which does not leave the navigation until just before Parndon Mill Lock.

Waiting at Parndon Mill Lock

Dovecote near the lock landing

Parndon Mill which has an exhibition of paintings at the moment

Harlow, a huge conurbation, lines the navigation from Parndon to Harlow Lock. Surprisingly, apart from the passing trains on the Stanstead Link, the town is well away from the Stort and only the odd block of flats can be spotted over the trees.

In fact it is quite a lovely stretch, narrow and shady and in places very meandering

Burnt Mill Lock is electrified - well, the bottom gates are, at least!

Waiting below - the centre behind is an adventure centre - climbing wall, rope bridges etc

It is right by Harlow Town Station and here we met another two narrowboats coming down. Again they had to wait for us and the crews hardly spoke a word to us. Above the lock is a busy scene with full visitor moorings, trip boats, pub and a marina.

Looking back

We stopped at the sani-station beside the marina - we were somewhat hampered by a boat moored on the first bollard making it more difficult to pull in. It seems rather a habit on the Stort as we encountered a number of boats with the same habit.

Our penultimate lock of the day was Latton Lock. Like many of the locks, it had a sculpture to look at - but more of them another time. There were also lots of blackberries, so we stayed a while to pick some. Crumble and jam to make later, Fi!

Fi picking blackberries

So to Harlow Lock - a deep lock compared to all the others. Above is a large pub and the towpath changes sides here. The visitor moorings were almost empty; once past the ornate bridge there are some riverside apartments to look at.

Visitor moorings at Harlow Bridge

Whoopee - we were out in the countryside again and it was time to moor up. We found a rough mooring to our liking and it was time for tea and cake. It had been a long day - us against the locks!

Stort Navigation, NE of Lower Lock to E of harlow Mill Bridge
4 hours 51 minutes, 6.17 miles, 7 locks