Friday 25th August
We managed to leave at 8.45am. I had already made lunch for us to have on the way, Greek salad wraps. It was quite tricky leaving as we were tightly moored between 2 boats and also the bank was silted up as we had had to use the gang plank in order to get to the bank. So John had to reverse and then gradually inch the nose out bit by bit. But he managed it without hitting either of the other boats.
We passed the golf course on the other side of the canal. It was a beautiful fresh Summer's day and the light was perfect so I was surprised no Golfers were making the most of the opportunity. The Golf course is part of the Grove 5 star hotel and spa.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grove,_Watford
Just a short distance away was Lady Capel's lock. This lock is named after the wife of one of the Earl's of Essex who owned the Cassiobury Estate in Watford. I was expecting something a bit special but there was nothing at all remarkable about this lock, no lock keeper's cottage either!
We passed under the A41 and soon after arrived at Hunton Bridge locks, another small flight of 2 locks separated by a short pound.
This lock made up for the previous one as it had 2 lock cottages! Both were really attractive with nice gardens.
Glad to say we had no problems this time with the water levels in the pound and so went straight through to the next lock.
After this lock the surrounding countryside was really picturesque with some beautiful houses and gardens.
This particular grand house had it's own river running by the side and a large lawn with a goalpost. I couldn't help wondering if a footballer lived there, it was certainly grand enough..
We carried on under Hunton Bridge and past Abbots Langley.
The next lock was called North Grove Lock.
The cottage here had a lovely garden full of old fashioned shrubs and plants.
These old fashioned roses smelt wonderful
It was such a beautiful place it was hard to imagine we were so close to the M25
John got chatting to another boater who was waiting for us to leave the lock. He didn't like walking across the lock gates either!
The countryside was lovely but you could hear the constant hum of the M25 getting ever nearer.
Very soon after we were passing underneath it.
At home park lock we had to wait as another boat was coming down. I got chatting to the couple on board. They were headed for Grove Bridge where we had moored last night. They told me about the B & Q and Aldi that were near Hemel Hempstead where we had planned to moor. It's amazing how much information (towpath gossip) is passed between boaters. We have learnt that some of it is completely useless or false however but a lot of it is very useful. So as you never know which is which until you arrive it's best to just wait and see!
Another lovely lock keepers cottage
After this we headed through Kings Langley
Finally arriving at Kings Langley lock
A tourist boat was waiting to use the lock after us and the passengers helped with the gates and paddles.
Soon we were on our way again through more residential landscape
Some of the gardens were beautifully kept
The next lock was called Red Lion lock named after the nearby Red Lion pub dating from mid 19th Century.
Just after this was Nash Mills lock, the final lock of today's journey.
It had quite a grand lock keeper's residence.
Just a few yards along we managed to find a mooring in the shade just before Apsley Marina. We had arrived by 2pm so had time to explore.
We went over this lovely white brick bridge and found an Italian restaurant called Calzone and a vegetarian restaurant called Woody's on the other side. Both had tables outside looking over the canal.
Further along we came to Apsley Marina which was very well kept and had a supermarket, a beauty salon and an Indian restaurant.
It was a glorious afternoon so we decided to cross over another fancy looking bridge to the Paper Mill pub and had a beer sat in the garden.
Later that evening we went back to the Italian restaurant and had a lovely meal sat outside enjoying the warm Summer's evening. Bliss! The only slight problem was that during the evening I somehow managed to get myself locked in the one toilet they had (which was a disabled toilet) and I had to bang on the door and cry out for help! I eventually got rescued by one of the waiters! Trust me!!! 😀
No comments:
Post a Comment