Floating Caravans near Packet Boat Marina

Cowley to Bulls Bridge, Grand Union Canal, 5 miles 1 lock

Left Cowley this morning in glorious sunshine and made our way down to Packet Boat Marina to do a load of washing that had been piling up.  I can’t use the new washing machine yet as it isn’t totally plumbed in, so decided to do all the washing including the linen today, hoping of course, that it would be the last time for a long time that I would be in need of a laundrette.

Down through the line of boats stretching from Cowley to Packet Boat Bridge was the most amazing collection of floating things I have ever seen!  Some wonderfully inventive and zanny ideas for living your life afloat. Garden sheds adapted on floating bits of steel.  Caravans put on pontoons or pans.  Other pre-fabricated sheds put on pontoons…

By the time I got to Packet Boat Bridge I was in fits of giggles.  What amazed me was how many different types of floating homes were amassed in such a short space of canal.  Don’t get me wrong, these people are probably very happy with their choice of roof over their head, and good luck to them, it is amazing how much initiative people have to either have a home like that or a holiday home that they can change whenever they want!  Maybe next time I go by, the guy with the garden shed will have a caravan!  They were all delightful to my eye, each one having it’s own character.  There were also some lovely pre-fab types with verandas dotted in among the floating caravans etc, and also a couple of dutch barges… such a variety!

I loved the facilities at the Packet Boat Marina, a BW one.  Mooring right outside, it was just a short walk to their Laundrette, and although it was a tad on the expensive side, I did have a lot to do, and was grateful to pop back to the boat from time to time for a refreshing cuppa.  I also had a well need shower…. (no hot water yet!  ) but was very disappointed in the way they delivered water!!   OK so it was free… but pushing the button, hand under, yes nice a warm stand under and within 10 seconds it started to go cold and then switch itself off!!  Push the button again.. wait.. hot!  Quick.. 10 seconds cold then switch off… Sooo annoying!   I would have rather used a BW card with credits on it to have had a decent shower.  Lovely facilities BW, but no that is not the way to deliver water in a shower!

Leaving at around 4.15pm travelled down to Bulls Bridge and are using Tesco’s 24 hour mooring here before travelling up the Paddington Arm tomorrow to meet up with Chas and Ann on Moore 2 Life who have gone on ahead.

I was surprised at that short trip to the junction.  Lots of industry on the right, but parkland and well kept towpath on the left.  Very few boats moored between the Slough Arm and Bulls Bridge too.  Was a very pleasant evening trip that.