Tuesday 25th August to Wednesday 26th August 2015
We seemed to in a constant
state of trying to beat the weather for these few days - the BBC weather app
was in constant use - when is the rain coming; when will it clear; what is the
best time to leave and how long will we be able to cruise.
I fear we will have used up
our data allowance just in looking at weather reports.
Never-the-less we did set
off quite early on Tuesday morning and the weather was lovely and yes, I will
say it yet again, it is the best time of the day.
We were able to enjoy the
early morning and seemingly had it all to ourselves - no waiting at locks, no
problems at all.
It seems that the
temperature must be dropping overnight because there were a couple of boats
that had their fires on, though for us, we are quite warm inside and haven't
changed from the summer duvet.
It wasn't long before the
sun had surfaced above the tree tops in the distance and it was showing that
summer was not yet over by any stretch - there was warmth in it even before 8am.
Onward we continued,
stopping briefly for water at Slapton Lock - the water pressure here was very
good - maybe because everyone was still in bed - we have used it before and has
been a quick filler.
We had a provisional target
of Marsworth, but even we thought that was a bit adventurous until we were
through the swing bridge just before Pittstone
Wharf
Just as we were getting
through the two locks below Marsworth, the rain did start to appear - just
enough that we should put our coats on.
Fortunately we were moored
up safely and snuggly just after bridge 129 before it really came down.
No more movement today.
Wednesday was very much a
different day - the weather reports indicated that it would rain until sometime
after 10am and before 11am, but after that there would be some not so heavy
rain.
When it stopped just on 10am
we decided that we would be off
With only the Marsworth
Locks to do before the summit pound we thought that we could get through that
fairly quickly and then a bit of cruising before beginning the descent.
What you think will happen
and what does happen are two entirely different things.
At every lock we either met
a single boat that was coming down and had only just filled the lock and then
took their time getting through - one chap (not on his own) refused any help,
wanting to do it his way and proceeded to open all paddles and then both gates,
close them in a non-methodical way, do the same on the bottom gates - or we had
to empty locks left full from the two boats that we found out were in front of
us
Anyway, we were nearly 2
hours getting through and by the time we were about to exit the top lock, the
rain had started.
Ironically, this was the
only lock where we had any luck - a hire boat coming out from the Wendover arm
was heading down the flight, so we could leave the gate open.
The intensity of the rain
increased and after steering between moored boats on both sides, Diane headed
inside (out of the rain) and left it to me.
 |
| We were a little speck on the weather map under the yellow section near Aylesbury - I was a tinier speck left out in the open |
Before anyone suggests that
she was escaping the downpour and leaving me out there alone, it had already
been prearranged - she had dreamt up found imagined
several things that had to get done - things like dusting the bananas, tidying
the bookshelf, rearranging the pens in their holder - very important stuff.
I do however know that just
after the Tring cutting, after I was drenched from the thunderstorm, there were
hot sausage rolls coming out and fresh tea - later on when I went inside I did
discover that it was all clean and tidy and vacuumed - things not possible to
be done when there are locks to do.
Better to have just one
person soaked than both - next time, I think I will have an urgent batch of
brownies to bake.
We combined well to work
through the locks on the descent into Berkhamstead - only one lock was shared,
all of the other locks during the two days we were on our own.
Most annoying of all, was
that there was a single-handed boater just in front of us, who was completing a
lock and saw us approaching, gave no sign of aknowledgement, apart from looking
back at us a few times. As we were cruising between locks 49 and 50 a boat crew
heading the other way said that he was waiting for us at the next lock - his
words not theirs - as we approached he was hauling his boat out of the lock to
go to the next one.
We had a boat coming the
other way and didn't see him again, but it would have been of benefit to us
both to share the lock and halve the exertion, but more importantly it would
have saved precious water.
As my grandfather (from Lancashire ) used to say "you can't put brains in
statues".
We eventually moored up in
Berkhamstead before a little more rain after which we ventured up into the town
to explore and Diane had a need for some crisps, cake and coffee, which I had
to help her moderate her intake.
After two hard days we will
be taking it a bit easy for at least tomorrow.
25 Miles, 31
Locks, 2 Swing Bridges
YTD: 779 Miles (1254 km) , 459 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges ,
15 Swing Bridges
Total: 3673 Miles (5911 km)
, 2580 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 
Hi, I find this is the best site to see if rainfall is imminent. It's accurate and updates every 20mins approx. It does get a bit addictive but so handy if you have to take the dog for a walk before it rains.Best of all it's FREE :-) Look at the Rainfall Radar button.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.netweather.tv/
Ray and Diane,
ReplyDeleteRachael and I will be heading off to Rickmansworth tomorrow (Saturday), I have no idea where we will cross paths except that it will be in the next few days. We hope to catch up at least for a chat on the cut or even a drink if we manage to moor in the same locale.
Regards
Kelvin (nb Serafina)