Day 23 - Sunday January 7th - Hemel Hempstead to Rickmansworth 10 miles 2 furlongs, 20 locks, 8 hours 10 minutes Weather - Overcast with occasional drizzle
Final push today to get south of Batchworth lock before the stoppage kicks in tomorrow morning. Set off at 7.20am and straight into Fishery lock which I had already set. From here all the way to Hunton Bridge I found every lock empty with gates open. Oh well, those are the breaks, shame there was nobody going the other way to take advantage of it. Had to shoo a fisherman away from the bollards at lock 69A - why do they insist on fishing from the most unsuitable places. It was quite easy though, I said move your keep net or I'll flatten it. He moved it. Stopped for 40 minutes just above the next lock to do a bit of emergency engine bilge pumping. I have a persistent slow coolant leak, which collects in the engine bilge. If the level gets too high the bottom of the flywheel starts picking it up and spraying it around the engine room. Very messy. Fortunately I've got a load of empty oil containers, so I was able to pump most of the bilge contents into them. Off again at 11.40am through the next two locks, and finally I met someone going the other way (and they left a single top gate open for me). Just as I was leaving the second Hunton Bridge lock someone came running down the towpath saying they were just going into Hunton Bridge top, and would I wait for them at the next lock. Back set the lock as I left it, and went on to Lady Capel's lock and had a mug of tea while waiting for them to catch up. Shared with them through Lady Capel's, Cassiobury Park two, Iron Bridge and Cassiobridge locks. They were mooring then, as they were going to the marina to have some work done. Said goodbye to them at 2.45pm for the last bit to Rickmansworth. Most of the boats moored below Common Moor lock now seem to be properly licensed. You usually see a selection of licences of varying vintage. Through Batchworth lock at 4.05pm and moored up just beyond the bridge. Not going to be moving the boat for the next couple of days, I have a number of things I need to attend to while moored here. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Rickmansworth
