Bourne End to Weedon

Or so it seems…..

In two days.

Done 15 locks in two days.

That’s in 40 miles.

Not Kennet and Avon style that’s for sure. These pounds are 10-15 miles long.

All you need do is put the boat in gear and sit back.

Dead easy.

Watch the world go by.

Grand Union Canal

Is like a Kennet and Avon where everything works, the locks function, the paddles don’t leak madly. Sluices open in the same uniform number of turns. You don’t need boards to get on and off your boat when you moor up.

Pounds are long.

There are many boat yards, places to stock up, get fuel.

So different to the Kennet.

BMC fuel pump problems

My boat has got a slight problem.

It’s leaking fuel.

The fuel leaks into the sump pan, and gently fills the pan up whilst wasting me money.

I’m currently heading to somewhere that can fix this problem.

This place recommended by ABC Marina in Aldermaston when they did my service.

It’s called Calcutt Engineering. I’ll be dropping in in the next few days, so I’ll give my verdict on them.

Otherwise, it’s been a long and hot day boating. I’m not settling down with my beer and going to watch a bit of telly, then go to sleep, ready for the day ahead.

Here’s some shots from along the canal

 

Heron hides in bushes
Continue reading “Bourne End to Weedon”

Bourne End upwards

Stopped at Bourne End last night after my long journey.

Google Maps sent me to Bourne End – Bucks. after I added a ‘stop’.

8 miles away, and it sent me all the way back down to Bourne End – Bucks., rather than Bourne End – Herts.

Adding stops to Google then being taken in the wrong direction

Google is notorious for doing this.

Last night was an example where it made up a new destination after I’d added a stop, (I wanted to go to coop).

That new destination added 1 1/2 hours and 40 miles to my travel time.

Back in Bourne End

Eventually, I arrived back. 10pm.

Just managed to cook up some cous-cous before falling asleep. Continue reading “Bourne End upwards”

Ease my Brexit shroom – Daan sawwf

Now in that quantitatively eased bubble, London.

Moored up near where my little sister was born, Kingston town.

It looks kind of new in the main.

Whilst the rest of the country lives in poverty, London seems to be doing very well, thank you very much.

Ease my bubble

It’s not just a north/south divide, it’s a London/rest of the country divide.

I say this recently having travelled from the very top, to the very bottom.

John O’Groats to Lands End.

The trillions handed to the bankers in bonds is has trickled down for sure… straight into the home counties and London, creating a ‘shroom’ of wealth and wellbeing never-ending…

You can see where the thinking is behind that.

I can see why the rest of the country voted Brexit now.

It basically stinks. Continue reading “Ease my Brexit shroom – Daan sawwf”

On the Thames again

This time, heading into London to pick up my post….

It started raining at around Marlow.

All my gear is wet, so I’m drying it out on the fire, as well as cooking my dinner….

Taking a narrowboat on the Thames

I wrote a guide about this last year.

It’s true, moorings are easier to find further down.

Currently I’m in Windsor. I can see the castle from my window as I eat my dinner and drink my Guinness.

Here’s some pictures from the journey along.

Aldermaston Wharf - West Berkshire
Aldermaston Wharf – West Berkshire

Continue reading “On the Thames again”