Oct 20

I’ve finished the Lee Navigation- I found that moorings are not nearly as restricted and over-crowded as reported. There was always lots of room and choices. Then, across the northern part of London on the Hertford Union Canal, the Regent’s Canal andthe Paddington Arm of the grand Union Canal. Such important waterways that had such an influence upon the development of London and the transport of materials in the early part of the 19th century. Today, they are really unique heritage assets of England. I was able to easily traverse this huge city at canal speed, and really see the inner workings of London. Moorings were not the issue here, and I stayed in Islington for a night. When I reached Little Venice and Paddington Basin, the issues became apparent about moorings . The canal ‘center’ of London, there was absolutely no place possible to moor, even for one night. All moorings were firmly inhabited by those staying the limits for each mooring (or longer…). I toured through, and continued on to Kensal Green, where the first spaces were available, and comfortable moored for the night.

Then, having made arrangements to meet Nigel, I toured smartly on through Bulls Bridge Junction to Uxbridge. There are some delightfully rural places along here, even though the city is mere meters away behind a hill or hedgerow. With Nigel Toy, friend and former colleague,we toured up the Colne valley, along many lakes, water-filled gravel pits, chalk quarries, and marshlands to Rickmansworth/Croxley Green to a delightful mooring and a short walk to a pub for supper. Today, the morning was clear, the skies pink, then orange then blue, and a wonderful autumn day for canal cruising.

Leaves turning, some delightful forest scenes with carpets of newly fallen leaves, and a brilliant blue sky, the day was idyllic. We made our way past King’s Langley, Abbot’s Langley, Leavensden Green and other exotic-sounding places to Hemel Hempstead, Apsley and Frogmore End to end our day. We had a good day! One has to admire the names of places here: where did the names originate? Why would a place be called Frogmore End? Hmmm. Something to entice a return someday.