It had to happen sometime.....

Monday 18^th September 20

Berkhampsted to Cow Roast

2.75 miles, 7 locks

It had to happen, especially as I mentioned in my last post that we had not got wet - yesterday we got caught out in two torrential downpours.  The first just as I had disembarked to work a lock.  Neither of us had coats on and there was nothing we could do to remedy the situation.  The rain stopped just as we finished the lock!  The second downpour was as we pulled pins to move off after lunch - this time we did have waterproofs on, but it was still very wet rain!

We left Berkhampsted in the dry - I think someone needs to do some trimming

You cannot go past this totem pole without taking a photo - well I can't.  It is genuine and was imported from Canada.

The morning after the day before - the fair is leaving town.

This is a sight you don't see that often - a heron perched high up in a tree

Definitely master of all he/she surveys

When we arrived in Waitrose we discovered the shopping list was still on the boat!  Although it is not far to go back, we decided to wing it rather than disturbing the dog and then leaving him again.  We managed with only one thing forgotten, which I popped back for whilst Chris unloaded the bags.

At the first lock after Waitrose we found evidence that someone had been 'fishing for treasure' in the lock.

These are just because I like the photos.

We were on our own today and it really did seem like an uphill struggle - tomorrow we start to go down, so hopefully it will feel easier.  This boat is not quite moored on the lock landing, but.....

We finally moored at Cow Roast and were glad to be able to light the fire and sit down with a cuppa.  Although we did not go far, it seemed like a very long and arduous day.

Tuesday 19^th September 2017

Cow Roast to Bluebell Tearooms, Tring Reservoirs

3.5 miles, (7) 6 locks

Today was a much better day in so many ways.  It was chilly and slightly misty first thing, but the sun broke through eventually, it did not rain and we did 6 5 of the 7 6 locks (I miscounted!) with another boat.  We travelled a little further than yesterday, but even though we did the same number of locks, today took a lot less time - the advantage of sharing the locks even though we had to fill them all before we could enter.

As we neared the first bridge of the day we came across this motley selection of boats - we are sure we have seen the 'car boat' before, but cannot remember where.

What on earth is this boat towing?

A floating garden!

 Having spent 7 days steadily climbing out of London (it seems a lot longer!) at Cow Roast you reach what is called The Tring Summit - a 3 mile pound, which is mostly quite straight) 

before Bulbourne Junction where you start to go downhill again.

It caught Monty out two years ago and it did it again this time.  He has become so used to supervising the lock worker and then running to the stern to get on again before the boat moves off and then lo and behold to his consternation the boat was down at the bottom!

As I reached the first lock I noticed a boat in the pound below waiting to go into the second lock - would they wait for us?

 Yes I am delighted to say that they did.  We flew through the next 6 locks enjoying a lot of chat with like minded boaters.

Darryl kept Chris company

and Pam and I put the world to rights!

Thank you both for waiting for us - a sign of great boaters and something you always hope will happen, but, sadly, it is not always the case.  Even better we have agreed to start off at 9am tomorrow and travel together again.  The icing on the cake for us was they have bikes and were going into Tring and very kindly got the paper for us.

We are moored a bit behind them - it is busy up here, but as it is such a lovely spot it is not surprising.

Chris and I had lunch in the Bluebell Tearooms and then took Monty for a walk around Startops Reservoir, coming back with Startops on our left and Marsworth on our right.  A lovely walk, but not the same luck as we had two years ago when Chris found a £20 note!

Even though the sun is still shining we are glad we have the fire going as I think it is going to be a very chilly night.