Autumn colours and parkland on the Grand Union

Wednesday, 05 November 2008 18:42

We had an earlyish start this morning - before 10.00

Hunton Bridge locks (72 and 3) were soon upon us.
Most of the locks have lock cottages of a similar type.

Here we were checked by the BW Patrol Officer on his hand held, he was walking his bit of the canal - and John remarked "so Mr Evans knows where we are now!" The PO replied "yes he does" and laughed. (Mr Robin Evans is the CEO of British Waterways for those readers who are not yet aware!)





Bridge 163 in a Turnover Bridge and very attractive. The towpath changes sides here - hence a "turnover bridge".






Grove Park and Grove Park Bridge (164) is very pleasant. The attractive bridge was ordered by the Earl of Essex before he would allow The Grand Junction Company to cut the canal through his land. These aristocrats could be very demanding and there are a number of examples of ornate bridges on the System built as "sops" to the aristocracy!

The bridge was restored in 1987 and has a commemorative plaque on the south side.





This area is also home to the lovely Grove Mill. We remembered this vividly from our trip in 1997.





Yet more parkland borders the canal as the two eponymous Cassiobury Park locks (75 and 6) indicate. The top paddle of the top gate was out of action - a BW Aware notice tied to it.

The notice was not filled in so no indication of date of breaking or of date of repair. Now why did we think there would be?

Fortunately there was something to smile at too on the lock cottage wall.



Iron Bridge lock (77) was a real "b". It took an absolute age to fill and then I was unable to open the top gate for the flow out of the bottom gates.

After huffing and puffing John came to my rescue, putting the bows in, mooring to the convenient bollard on the off side jaw. Of course he found it relatively easy - "man gates" again!

Thee were two boats coming up so we had some help - one said that this lock has been hard for as long as she can remember and needs sorting. However she may not have been on the K & A where lock gates leak like sieves!










Cassio Bridge lock marks the end of the park and was also our last of the day.  Here is proof that we
are nearing London.

Someone tell me why I agreed to come back to the "smoke", my home for the first 20 years of my life. Ah, it will be a diferent experience from a narrowboat. 

Just below is Bridgewater Basin. How much was their diesel? That much . However we did not stop!

We moored up at Croxley Green, opposite a large housing estate that I am sure was not here in 1997 however it is very quiet. Apart from the usual evening firework display and two boats moving in the dark. Both occurrences a repeat performance of the last 3 evenings!

>>> View Next Post		View Previous Post <<<