Tuesday 21 April 2014

Had a slow start today and left the Olympic Park at 9.50am – it’s funny how preconceptions give you an opinion about places before you see them from a different angle.  Most of what we have seen today hasn’t been how we thought it would be – the canal seems peaceful although you feel there could be an undercurrent on the some of the estates that we chugged past.  We have gone through Hackney Marsh, Lea Bridge, Clapton, Tottenham, Edmonton, Picketts Lock, Brimsdown, Enfield and Waltham Abbey.  We have only been through eight locks; Tottenham, Stonebridge, Picketts, Enfield, Rammey Marsh, Waltham Town and Waltham Common today but at nearly every one someone has left the slackers up just a tiny bit so you don’t realise until you have nearly emptied or filled the lock and cannot open the gate!  We have been through a couple of electric locks today which was a welcome relief with Steve’s back and my hand!  At Waltham Town lock a woman was explaining to her friend how a lock works and when I couldn’t get the gate to open she asked me if I had unlocked it!  They did help me push it in the end and we got it to move – the gates along this stretch are really heavy.  We were aiming to get to Nazing but spotted a really nice spot in Cheshunt – there is water both sides of the canal – the sailing club on one side and Tunershill Marsh and Lee Valley Country Park on the other.  It’s so peaceful here – we walked to the High Street over the level crossing and past the station with the commuters coming off the train and everybody scurrying around going about their daily business and it felt like we were dipping our toes back into how life was before we started this adventure!

We saw a mink today - it was jet black and beautiful - unfortunately it moved too quickly for me to get a photo.  Steve says at least once a day that he cannot believe how wide the canal is – he thought it would be a lot narrower and he doesn’t understand why they dug it so wide!  If anyone knows the answer please let us know!

Leaving the Olympic Park

Steve liked this block of flats

Water Gypsy - every waterway has one!  That's Hackney Marshes beyond the wall.

Princess of Wales at Lea Bridge - Steve went to a Christmas do here last year!

One thing to do with your old CDs!

Determination.

Waiting to go through Tottenham Lock

In Tottenham Lock

These three Thames Barges are offices!

Boats as far as the eye can see - there has been a boat moored on every bit of bank that you are allowed to moor on since we left Hackney Wick.

The pigeons have moved in!

Stonebridge Lock

There are reservoirs all the way along this canal.

Flying with us!

Pickett's Lock

Baby Coots

No boats moored near Pickett's Lock - apparently there are no transport connections. 

Riffles - spent many clubbing nights here many years ago!

Approaching Enfield Lock

This is a low one - mind that new chimney hat!

Close to where we used to call home!

We have driven over the canal on this stretch of the M25 looking down many times but this is the first time we have been looking up at the road - Rammey Marsh Lock.

An ice cream boat!

!!!

View from the deck at Cheshunt.

And the sun goes down.