Potty duty called first thing which involved carrying a very heavy cassette 100yds or so to the Elsan across the road. It’s on wheels but because of yesterday’s downpours the towpath was extremely muddy. Relieved to find the Elsan block clean and useable which as you know from previous blogs, is not guaranteed!
By 0930 we were on our way as we had about 4 or 5 hours travelling planned. The weather was stunning, such a contrast from yesterday and much of the scenery we passed, beautiful and tranquil. All went well as R walked the towpath and worked a couple of locks. He then hopped aboard as we had a longish stretch before the next lock and watertap. Coming around a bend we were confronted by a long narrowboat straddling the canal. Once it had sorted itself, we followed it along the canal towards the next lock where it moored whilst the lock filled and we also moored thinking the watertap was immediately on the right. It transpired it was after the lock so once the lock was full we could team up with the other boat and go down together. The helmsman (a gent of advanced years,) moved off from the side of the canal but because he had not tied the stern end whilst the lockgates were opening, the force of the water caused his stern to swing across the canal, blocking a weir entrance. He was then unable to pull the boat round. His brother was on the towpath and so together with R they tried to resolve the situation, which first off involved me having to enter the lock in the hopes that by gently knocking the bow end of his boat, it might also swing into the lock. Things didn’t totally go to plan so R tried to manoeuvre their boat using their bow rope and slung it over our roof. Unfortunately we had rather a large branch of a tree waiting to be chopped and a few bags of coal. Suddenly two of the coal bags got caught by the rope, which had entangled itself in the tree and we watched helplessly as one of the bags plopped into the lock, never to be seen again. Funnily enough yesterday when Jules Fuels had come by I had persuaded R to get an extra bag in case it turns really cold! Eventually both boats were safely in the lock with the other boatman extremely apologetic and wanting to reimburse us. Not wanting his money, he did actually reimburse us with knowledge as he had been on the canals a decade and could tell us where not to moor up as we get closer into London – there are some light fingers around that will help themselves to anything not securely attached to the boat! Meanwhile the brother, embarrassed by his brother, bent over backwards to help us fill up with water!
We were not out of the woods though because immediately after filling with water we passed a ‘by-water’ on our left, which is basically water coming from a former mill at some force. R had to take over steerage from me as I was out of my depth! Both of us felt exhausted so you can imagine our delight when we were able to enter the next lock just as a boat was leaving and even more joy – a cafe right on the lockside was selling hot gluhwein so we took a break sitting in the lock and enjoyed a festive tipple, in the glorious afternoon sunshine.
We moored at Denham. A delightful olde worldy village used I believe in a lot of film sets. It was getting dark by the time we explored the High St but the Christmas lights shone out and there was a very festive feel.
It’s quite hard feeling festive on our boat and even though I often complain about an excess of Christmas carols, this year I haven’t sung enough. If you are feeling similar a plug for tomorrow night: Farnham Filling Station (which includes R and me) are hosting an hour of carols and Christmas thoughts/readings. If you would like to join us you would be most welcome, from the comfort of your own sitting room, wherever you are! http://zoom.us/j/91055029104. Or Zoom ID 910 5502 9104. The zoom room will be accessible from 1950 for an 2000hr start.
NarrowboatTLC 