Alperton to Yiewsley

Thursday 17th August

We use the Canal and River Trust online map to help plot our route. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network
Also we use the Free route planner provided by the River canal rescue site. It calculates the time it should take to reach your chosen destination. Of course there are so many variables it is only ever a guide! http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/waternav/free-route-planner/

We went shopping in Sainsbury's before we left so we are now well stocked!

I set off walking Dex along the towpath, John was steering today. We needed to stop at the Black Horse bridge at Greenford for water so we would meet him there.

On the way I saw a swan with a fishing spinner caught around it's neck. So I made a call to the RSPCA and they said they would send someone to help. My good deed for the day!
When we arrived at Greenford another boat was already on the waterpoint so we had to wait a short while. Luckily he had nearly finished. It can take about 45 minutes to fill up with water, depending on how empty the tank is. One of the stupid things is that there is no gauge to tell you how full it is. I have spoken to a lot of boaters about this and most don't have gauges. You just have to fill up whenever you can. We have spare water containers now as a back up.
I got rid of the rubbish whilst we were filling up. The pub looked nice but we weren't stopping today.

As we were filling, another boat pulled alongside to wait their turn. The water point was in full demand today! We got chatting, they were a nice couple of lads, both working in London and living aboard to save money. They couldn't afford a permanent mooring, not surprising at the London prices!

Once we had finished, we reversed back so they could get to the water point.

On our way again and I was thrilled to see this boat called Nesta, my mum's name!

It was a straight run through to Bull's bridge. My turn at the tiller!

 I'd seen a boat with a gazebo but this looked more like a marquee!

 Jazzy boat!

 Soon I was approaching Bulls bridge where I would need to make a sharp turn right and start our journey north.

 John wasn't there to see it but I was really pleased with how well I made the turn and avoided hitting anything!

 The landscape became Industrial and noisy. 

I didn't like the look of whatever was pouring into the canal from this factory! 

We passed a few boats on the way. 

 This Heron kindly posed for me. I love the speckled pattern on it's throat. 

 We passed West Drayton railway station.

 Soon after we saw some moorings opposite these flats. It seemed a good spot so we pulled over.

It turned out to be a nice quiet mooring and was close to Yiewsley and West Drayton. Dex was still licking his paw and so I wanted to find a vet to get him checked out. So after we moored we googled the local vets and managed to find one half a mile away. He's back on antibiotics and am cleaning his paw twice a day with a special solution he gave us. Hopefully it will soon heal. It hasn't stopped him running around anyway!

There was a huge Tesco nearby so that was also handy. We decided to take some time out and so will stay here a few days and explore the local area. I need to get to Chippenham on Sunday to meet up with my sister Jan as we are off to Plymouth on Monday for my sister-in-law, Janet's 70th birthday! West Drayton railway station is nearby so I can easily make the journey from there.