Just as we were getting ready to leave we heard this wonderful engine noise and a fabulous old barge went past, it's chimney belching out steam and it was towing a butty alongside.
I managed to get a photo as they went into the lock.
http://www.steamershistorical.co.uk/steamers_steam_on_canals.htm
We set off just before 9am. Another glorious sunny day. Anyone would think it was August!
Today's heron photo - this time just taking off
Under the railway bridge at Winkwell
This boat had very unusual cladding!
Just after we passed Winkwell dock where there was a marina and boatyard
Then we were into Winkwell lock which was immediately followed by Winkwell swing bridge
There was a nice looking canalside pub here too!
We did a couple more locks after this called the winkwell locks.
I am quite confident at crossing the lock gates but John suffers from vertigo so he can only cross over if there is a proper bridge.
I loved this boat called Africa with all the animal silhouettes.
I also loved this wooden sided boat which was a labour of love according to it's proud owner.
Another lock and Dex made a new friend, this very playful Boxer
The countryside was pretty with attractive houses and lovely open fields
The locks on this stretch were largely quite uninteresting with no distinguishing features. So I haven't included photos of them all. This changed however as we approached Top Side lock which had some attractive whitewashed cottages on the approach and a lock keeper's cottage and a large Georgian style house in pink!
John also managed to find some helpers to open the gate!
I liked this boat themed weather vane
Onward we went through more residential areas and some lovely gardens as we approached the outskirts of Berkhamsted
I liked the lifebelt name plaque on this bungalow
We also passed a garage with a Greggs and I couldn't stop for cakes - boo!
And then we came across this bear!
The next lock was called the Rising Sun Lock (no prizes for why that is!)
Things were looking up as I read the pub sign!
But as they say the devil's in the detail and so you have to always read the small print!
We do love a pub with a sense of humour though and their other sign really made us chuckle
On to the next lock which was only a few hundred yards away with yet another pub!
This lock was called Ravens Lane Lock
A boat was just leaving the lock so that meant it was all set ready for us.
There was a nice looking lock keeper's cottage and another couple having a picnic but this time on a seat rather than on the lock gates.
Berkhamsted used to have a port as the name on this boat shows.
The buildings here showed evidence of it previously being a wharf (Castle Wharf) with warehouses and hoist for lifting cargo. Berkhamsted is a delightful market town steeped in history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkhamsted
It also has a large Totem Pole!
https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home%5Cleisure-culture/shopping-and-town-centres/berkhamsted/the-grand-union-canal
Just after we passed yet another pub! Berkhamsted looked better every minute!
We passed under this lovely old bridge with it's commemorative plaque
Soon after we traveled under this smart looking railway bridge leading to another lock.
After this we found a mooring close to the town centre.
Those of you who regularly read our blog will remember we had to take Dex to the vet recently with a sore foot. The vet thought he had something in it, possibly a hayseed but he wasn't confident of finding anything so gave us some ointment and antibiotics. I was worried as the foot seemed to be more inflamed today. So we decided to go to a vet in Berkhamsted and get it checked again.
I was glad we took him as they decided to investigate under sedation and sure enough they found a hayseed! So that was removed and he has a bandage which he needs to have on for a couple of days plus more antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The culprit!
https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home%5Cleisure-culture/shopping-and-town-centres/berkhamsted/the-grand-union-canal
Dex didn't know what to make of these geese!
After we had moored I heard the sound of a steam engine and as I love them (spent years filming Swiss railways with my brother and his family) I rushed outside to find where it was coming from. It turned out to be a traction engine but I was still delighted to see it and managed to catch it on film. Please excuse the background commentary!!
