Friday 17 April 2015

Went back to Harefield Marina as we bought a new hat for our chimney yesterday and it didn’t have any bolts in it!  Then set off at 9.00am  – we are heading for Willow Tree Marina on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union.  We have decided to book into a marina as it seems a bit dodgy round here and we can get electrical hook up so can catch up on the ironing etc!!

Through Widewater Lock and into Denham Deep Lock – this lock has a rise of 11ft 1in and is the deepest lock on the Grand Union Canal.  Onto Uxbridge and  Cowley Locks – as we made our way along this stretch you feel the atmosphere change – there are lots of boats that are permanently moored here and look like they have been here forever.  We made our way through Cowley Peachy Junction which is between Yiewsley and West Drayton looking out for Bulls Bridge Junction to turn left onto the Paddington Arm – we are now between Hayes Town and Southall – the canal here is filthy – such a shame.  Arrived at Willow Tree Marina at about 1.30pm which thankfully is an oasis of tranquillity on this otherwise uninviting stretch of canal.  We have used all our wifi so will have to find a 3 shop to top up but in the meantime the bar and restaurant here has free wifi so I know where we are having lunch so I can post yesterday’s update.

We are staying here until Monday morning when we intend to push off at 6am so we can get as far as possible through most of London - we want to see it but we don't fancy mooring in many places.

 

We heard a story about this boat – the owners returned having left it at Harefield to find a squatter in it drinking a cup of tea – he had apparently been living on it for 4 months – not sure how he got away with that as the Canal and River Trust are pretty hot at moving people on after 14 days!

He apparently moved onto the boat and started ripping out everything he didn’t want and threw it into the hedgerow – the loo and cooker are down there too - charming!

 

Babies!

In Denham Deep Lock.

Leaving Denham Deep Lock.

Under the A40.



Waiting for Uxbridge Lock to empty - beats sitting at a desk!

Approaching Cowley Lock - the last pleasant bit of today's journey.

Mandarin Duck – they are beautiful – this picture doesn’t do it justice.



Not sure what this is coming towards us but I think we'll let him go first!

  

Somewhere near Heathrow.

At last Bulls Bridge – we thought the junction for the Paddington Arm would be much bigger than this – we had to do a three point turn!

 

 

Filthy!

Safely moored in Willow Tree Marina outside the Lock & Quay - apparently Rosie & Jim was filmed in this Marina!