Hemel Hempstead to Cassiobury Park

Today – M25 to Cassiobury Park Watford, Grand Union Canal, 3 miles 7 locks
Yesterday – Apsley to M25, Grand Union Canal, 3.5 miles 5 locks

No internet connection yesterday evening although we were in sight of the M25 by the time we had moored.  The wind was in the north, the M25 to the south of us was quiet to the ear

I enjoyed the run yesterday, although it was raining on and off most of the day.  The new buildings on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead as we left the town were really very nice indeed, and I do hope that other canalside developments will end up something like this.  It felt safe, there were no gangs of youths charging up and down the towpath intimidating the boaters.  Well with this sort of development, I doubt the yobbo element would be tolerated.

Nash Mills just round the corner was also newly developed, a nice marina round yet more new architectural dwellings fit for those able to pay for a ‘watery’ outlook to their life.

We managed to pick up some ‘ballast from Homebase yesterday morning.. Cotswold Stone!… well that’s what it said, but more likely to be Cotswold faced concrete blocks!  Well anyway they weighed about 25 kilos each… same as a bag of coal.  They were 18 ins long,  and 6 ins tall and the same broad.  Just the right size to fit on the right hand side of the front locker.  The reason I have given so much information is because these were priced at just £1.00 each… hey you boaters this has got to be the cheapest ballast available!

So today then…

Under the M25 we went, so we are now in the grips of London.  In the first days of the M25 I remember mobile phone charges cost more if you were within the ‘inner circle’ of that dreaded road.  Remembering if ever I was travelling into the circle I used to get all my phone calls out the way before getting on the ring!  It was a weird feeling going under it… was thinking inner urban city, fouled props, dead fish, rubbish, mattresses, yobs, etc. 

Well none of that so far, in fact moored here tonight in Cassiobury Park near Watford I have to say that this is one of the nicest moorings on the system.  And considering we are about a quarter mile from the London Underground I am amazed.

Ah the cupboard has been cleared and altered so the fridge can be moved tomorrow… Vic has already made some major changes.

Well done Liverpool Boats… all screws to undo and NO GLUE!