Crew - Graham, Brenda, Dick, Irina, Wally and Peg.

Having finished the paint repairs to the handrail closest to the bank, today was turn-round day to access the other side. Brenda and I were joined by my Mum and Dad as well as my brother Dick and his wife Irina. In sunny, but a little cold, weather we travelled down through eight locks and a swingbridge to Apsley where we moored opposite Sainsbury's for onboard lunch. After that we turned around and headed back to Bourne End against a wind that was getting stronger (and colder) all the way. By the time we were moored up again the beef stew in the slow cooker was ready and so we eat a hearty meal and then abandoned ship for home. Although I normally use this blog to display what has been written in Jannock's logbook, Irina completed her report of the day in Russian so you've got my interpretation instead. That is seven different foreign languages we have had entered in our logbook now :- French, German, Czech, Italian, Greek, Chinese and Russian.

Irina wrote (in Russian) " Dear Graham & Brenda. I was very excited and have unforgettable memories of being on Jannock! Thankyou! Irina Kins."

Crew - Graham, Brenda, Matt, Ben and Rosie

Today was to be a training day with Matt, Ben and Rosie visiting Jannock so that the latter two could get some steering practice in. We left Bourne End just after 10 am and headed North. As we passed through the first bridge, not 100m from the mooring, I was hailed by another boater enquiring whether they could share the locks with us. A good run up to Berko saw us passing Pengalanty and Tiami with no sign of life on either of them before our lock partners decided they needed to visit Waitrose for supplies and so we carried on alone. We stopped above Northchurch lock for lunch as we were making good time and dinner would not be ready if we finished our journey too early. Once we had been fed and watered we continued on to the summit and made our way to Bulbourne before turning onto the Wendover Arm.

Ben : - Travelled from Bourne End to Wendover arm of the Grand Union and finished up at the terminus. Weather was excellent, everyone had a turn at driving. Many thanks to Brenda for all the lovely food and to both for the very enjoyable day. This is the first time I have been on a narrowboat and I have been very pleasantly surprised. I look forward to next time! Very impressed with the boat also.

The water running down this arm is so clear you could spot all the fish darting alongside the boat as we progressed slowly to the end. We had a big fish spotting competition which Brenda was winning with an 18" carp until we got to the bridge adjacent to the flour mill. Here there was a large pike hiding against the brickwork who darted off once Jannock had passed. When we arrived at the winding point (the current head of navigation) we reversed in and moored up with our stern against the end of the canal. Matt and Ben went and did a car shuffle whilst Brenda prepared our evening meal and I did more of those little chores that never get done if you are constantly cruising. After dinner Matt, Ben and Rosie left for Thame and we spent a very peaceful night on the Wendover arm. Brenda had finally sampled one of Matt's famous giant Jaffa cakes as he'd promised for her birthday, only a month and a day late!

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

Our plan was a short cruise down to Marsworth today so an early start wasn't required. When we did up pins and set off we hadn't travelled more than 20 metres when we met the widebeam trip boat from Pitstone wharf about to turn around at the winding point. We nipped through smartly before their manoeuvring started and headed back to the mainline with them following. At the junction the wind coming up the Marsworth flight was so strong that I had to pull Jannock's bows round with a rope as she didn't want to turn into wind. We followed a pair of boats down the flight with the trip boat following us. Thanks to the trusty lock wheeling bike they did not catch us up at all. Out of the bottom of the flight and we winded in the junction with the Aylesbury Arm and reversed onto the water point for a refill. We then moored on the end of the 14 day moorings opposite the junction and I washed the side of the boat before doing some necessary paint repairs. Late afternoon was spent walking around the reservoirs before retiring to the Anglers Retreat for an evening meal and two very nice ales.

Crew - Graham, Brenda, Anne, Lyell and Bob

We had neighbours visiting us today for the trip from Marsworth down to Aylesbury. Anne and Lyell had previously been on Jannock for a day when we were on the Thames in 2003 but it was Bob's first visit aboard. We had been warned that the arm was low on water yesterday and so were very surprised to find all of the top gates wiering down to Wilstone. Bob soon settled into the task of working the locks like a natural and we made very good time. Having had reasonable weather for the start of our journey we decided to stop for lunch after Puttenham bottom lock as the rain was becoming more persistent. Once we were settled down eating the sun came out but the rain returned as soon as we decided to set off again.

As we approached Aylesbury we met nb Brentford near the reed beds but managed to pass in one of the wider bits. Once into the basin, I booked in with Brian on the ACS welcome boat and was allocated a pontoon mooring for the week. Getting Jannock into the mooring involved a 180 degree turn in the middle of the basin followed by reversing through 90 degrees back into it. On reflection I'm glad I did it in the lighter winds as they were a lot stronger there the day after. Bob and Lyell did a car shuffle and then we sat down to 'Basingstoke Air-freshener Biriani' thanks to the slow cooker that had been on for most of the journey.
P.S. the lack of Di Blasi action and reliance on others doing car shuffles is because the Zafira is poorly with an extended stay in the garage due to a broken hose.

Anne :- Meeting Graham at Marsworth, Bob, Lyell and Anne boarded the luxury cruise liner at about 10:30 for a swift departure into a bright clear day although some ominous clouds looked as if they meant business. All concerns were washed away by a cup of coffee and croissant (chocolate of course!) So the day continued, locks were opened and closed, jokes and teasing took place, rain wear was in operation but the sun may as well have shone as nothing could dampen our joyful spirits.
We enjoyed the wildlife, 'amazing', as was Graham's reversing into his mooring at Aylesbury basin - quite a feat.
The food, wine, beer, companionship and fun could not be bettered. Thankyou.

Crew - Graham, Brian, Ian and Peter

An early rise saw the papers fetched and Jannock easing out of her temporary berth by 9 am. The first three locks north of Aylesbury are fitted with anti-vandal locks but that did not slow the progress at all. By Red House lock we found ourselves following a single hander and so Pete went ahead to assist him to speed our passage. After a couple of locks he returned with feedback that the guy then let him do all the work and just stayed on his boat so we decided it would be a good time to stop for lunch and the first period of non-contact fishing. Whilst lunching (or fishing), John Pattle on NB Brentford passed us heading North. Fishing over still without contact and we were just setting off when Ian received a telephone call from his boss at Vale Brewery. They had a spare 20 litres of Hadders Spring Gold 4.6% prepped for a customer who didn't show, could we use it if he delivered it to the boat? Now that's what I call service (and a silly question), we already had Vale VPA and the first sample of the new Vale Castle on board in mini-pins but now there was no chance of us running out. We followed Brentford up the staircase at the end of the Aylesbury arm and then shared the Marsworth flight with them. Once again Peter went ahead to assist the two boats we were following and so we made a reasonable time up the flight. Having said our farewells to John and his son at the top of the flight we turned into the Wendover arm for a peaceful evening mooring. At 5pm the fresh beer supplies were delivered just as the Castle Ale ran out and a tasty Basingstoke biriani was followed by some more non-contact fishing until the cards started at 9pm. We collapsed into bed around midnight.

Peter :- Surprisingly fishing not the resounding success recorded on previous Soddit cruises. Probably due to the family of 'Robins' stealing the bait out of the baitbox ;^) An investigation of how this was allowed to happen is now underway.

Ian : - Friday evening - The gang gathered in Haddenham and then set off to deposit one vehicle in Bourne End. We then returned to Aylesbury via the Blue Dolphin fish & chip shop, loaded our belongings onto Jannock and then retired to the Hop Pole Inn (Aylesbury's permanent beer festival) for a pint or two before returning to the boat to start the card playing.
Saturday afternoon - Additional, but un-neccesary, beer supplies arrived courtesy of Vale Brewery's new 'direct to boat' delivery scheme.

Crew - Graham, Brian, Ian and Peter

We were up and breakfasted by 9 am but let the fishists play until the proposed 10am departure time. During this session a modicum of success was witnessed with Ian bringing in a middle sized Roach which beat anything Brian could catch. While all this was going on, Peter and I were around the corner, nearer the winding point, where a local angler was trying to bring in a large Carp on fragile gudgeon tackle. I took this picture for Dave as he had no camera with him and this was a fish worth showing off. I have promised to email it to Tring Anglers for him. Out of the arm and along the summit to start the descent down the 13 locks to Bourne End. At Dudswell lock (47) yours truly almost came a cropper by mis-judging the speed of the boat and almost falling in the lock. Just a wet foot up to the ankle and a few scratches luckily. We found ourselves following a pair of boats down these locks and having to turn every one as there was no Northbound traffic. We stopped for lunch after Bushes lock but the fishists decided to continue onto Bourne End before trying their hand again and so we were soon on our way again. We passed the two boats we had been following when they stopped for water below Rising Sun lock. Unfortunately Tiami appeared empty as we passed and so we could not off-load any beer to Debbi and Simon. The last three locks down to Jannock's mooring were soon passed through and we finally tied up at 4pm. More non-contact fishing then ensued whilst the boat was tidied and belongings packed for the journey home. I was given the left over VPA to take home as the guys know that Brenda likes that one. A great weekend in good company with great weather. What more can I ask for.

Brian :- Jolly Boys Boating Trip - Day 2
Fishing at end of Wendover Arm very peaceful until baliff turns up. Costs approx £1.25p per fish caught. Now 10:30 am and cruising back along the arm to main Grand Union. Can't be a Soddit cruise as the sun is shining and it isn't blowing a gale. Methinks it is time for the 1st beer of the day!

Crew - Graham, Brenda, Iris and Terry.

Iris :- Have just spent a wonderful morning with Graham and Brenda going through 3 locks and a swing bridge. Having left their mooring at Bourne End the trip was to enable them to turn the boat before returning to the mooring. They are now facing the right way for their journey North. I have done absolutely nothing while on board! Terry experienced opening the swing bridge. A lovely journey - Canadian geese plus their babies with ducklings at one time leading the way. We have just had an enjoyable lunch aboard Jannock but had to be told how to use this pen which is on a pull-out elastic syatem. Quite simple when you know the answer! Thankyou both - great trip and great company. I hope my movie comes out OK.

Today was to be 'starting out North' day. There was only one problem - we were pointing South. So we travelled down to the Winkwell windy point ( 6 locks plus the swingbridge twice) turned and arrived back at Bourne End in order to empty the loo tank. We were accompanied during this short trip by Iris and Terry, our friends from Aylesbury. After lunch we waved them farewell and set off North through Berko and Northchurch to finally moor for the night in the cutting on Tring summit. As we approached Cowroast lock there were four 'civilians' talking to a boater moored below the lock who assured Brenda, who was hovering waiting for the lock, that there was no point proceeding as there were no mooring spaces available above the lock. She asked them for how far and they said that they had walked for 3 miles and no spaces. She thanked them for their advice and assured them that we were travelling further before stopping for the night and then ascended through the lock when I had it ready. Once above the lock it became apparent that there was indeed no problem with mooring spaces which left us wondering what that advice was all about. We finally found an extremely quiet mooring in the Tring cutting, between bridges 135 and 134, which was also very dark due to the tree cover.

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

We pulled the pins at 9 am and headed for Marsworth top lock. We shared the whole flight and the following locks to Seabrook with Jarrah, a fellow member of Aylesbury canal society . We also met Peter from nb Ghecko (a fellow Cutweb member) several times on the Marsworth flight as he made his way from Bulbourne down to the Marsworth sani-station and back again. Peter mentioned the BCN Society's Summer Explorer Cruise which I am going to try and take part in as I want to do all of the BCN when possible. We moored for the night at the Globe Inn having completed the rest of the locks solo and stopping in Leighton Buzzard for a quick trip to Aldi. After a good steak dinner in the Globe Inn, Brenda decided to follow the Greensands walk which took us via meadows and woods to the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard and back onto the towpath via Riverside Walk

Brenda :- On a summery evening or a dewy morn I can recommend a meander through the meadow, bobbing with buttercups and frosted with cowparsley. Doe eye heifers gaze with not a thought behind dewy eyes. Then on into the Oakwoods - cool and still air holding the scent of the stream as it burbles past - or have I just been watching too much of the poetry season on the Beeb? Perhaps I should just say " Good walk for yer dog!"

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

After a peaceful night we set off towards Soulbury and 60% of the locks we were likely to encounter today. On arrival, the top lock was empty and a single hander was rising through the second lock so I opened the gates and waited for him whilst Brenda held Jannock on the lock landing. Whilst waiting her turn, Brenda witnessed a couple of fishermen pull a 15 3/4 lb Mirror Carp out of the canal after a mighty struggle. This is the second large carp we've seen landed this year. We passed solo down the three locks passing one other boat mid-flight. We then passed through Stoke Hammond and Fenny locks as well before starting the long drag through Milton Keynes. I must admit the MK environs are far more pleasant in the balmy summer weather that we have experienced this trip. It was getting so warm that we pulled over into the shade of some trees whilst we were circumnavigating Stantonbury Park Farm and then decided to remain there for the night. This must be something of a record for Jannock, three nights on the G.U. having to use mooring pins every night. We normally end up using piling hooks for overnight stops on this stretch of the system. After an evening meal eaten on the cratch table in balmy tropical weather Brenda dragged me off for another meadow walk to explore the ruins of St. Peter's Church which lies just north of the canal near bridge 75. I have never seen a canal so still as it is here, once the boats had stopped going past Jannock.

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

A lay in and a leisurely bacon sandwich and then we were off through the last bit of Milton Keynes onto a 14 day mooring at Cosgrove just in time for 11'ses. This left plenty of time for some ackling to be done before returning home.

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

Perfect boating weather, absolutely perfect. When we arrived at Stoke Bruerne locks we shared with another boat and had an easy passage. Outside 'the Navigation', whilst waiting for a southbound boat to pass through the top lock, Brenda was engaged in light chat by a couple of 20 something lads. Both were quaffing pints and smoking - lads in every respect but one; they were very very badly dressed in women's clothes - all except the black socks - in strappy high heeled sandals. They asked for a lift. She asked where they were going. 'The flower show' was the reply. There was no evidence of a flower show. There's now't so strange as .......

Out of the top lock and onto the water point outside the 'Boat'. Brenda decided she owed me a pint so in she went with her purse and two glasses (so that we didn't have to hurry our drinks in order to return the glasses) and she was declared a pofessional by the clientele. She reckons she's been called a lot of things in her time.
We stopped just past Bugbrooke immediately before the new marina in a nice shady section near the bridge.

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

Another lovely day. Graham got up early and did a car shuffle from Cosgrove to Welton. He then set off solo as we had a way to go before any locks. We pulled into Wilton Marine in search of new centre ropes and then left empty handed to share the locks with a hire boat. It was a challenge to get into the lock as he'd got more or less sideways on as I made our approach. Knowing he'd only picked up the boat yesterday I was philosophic. After the Buckby flight, throughout which I coached him and offered hints and tips he said that he and his chum had been having a week on a boat every year for ages. I am now less than philosophic. He said " all this is the best of boy's toys". "All what I asked?" "These lock thingies, terrific game!" I pursed my lips like Minnie Caldwell (yes, I am that old) and suggested that the boy's toys had in fact facilitated the industrial revolution and changed world history.

Crew - Graham and Brenda.

A very uneventful cruising day. It was decided that Braunston lock flight was much more pleasant when :-
a. it's not raining and cold.
b. there are plenty of boats coming up when you are descending.
At the top lock we introduced yet another boat to the Jannock tradition of 'Cake Lock' and then shared the flight down with them.

=============================

Crew - Graham, Brian, Ian and Peter

A bad start to the morning as during the fishing, the Cap'n evicted Boris from the bath into the cut. Ian then caught him on his fishing rod as he passed the front of the boat (the only thing he caught all weekend I might add) but then flicked him back into the canal for some unknown reason. Down into a very busy Braunston we went meeting more than a dozen Northbound boats en-route. We wanted to use the rubbish point as well as a water fill but another boat had just pulled onto the waterpoint so we just dumped the rubbish in the skip and made for the junction to turn right towards Napton. Still more craft coming in the opposite direction specialising in meeting at bridgeholes and sharp bends. The sun finally appeared just as we decided to stop for lunch near Flecknoe.

After a good lunch and more fruitless fishing we set off and almost immediately found a sheep stuck in the canal unable to get out. The Cap'n put Jannock into the bank in front of the frightened sheep to corner it and Ian and Peter then hauled it out of the canal whilst Brian held the bow rope to stop the boat moving. Once out onto the bank the sheep ran as fast as it could away from the canal and the rest of the flock started following it in a sort of mini-stampede. At this point I must praise camera phones as I never would have got this shot if I'd had to find a camera first.

There were delays at Calcutt locks due to boats leaving the service wharf, below the first lock, and interfering with the smooth passage of boats up and down the flight. We finally moored Jannock, packed up and tidied and then drove back to Ansty to fetch Ian's car before heading home. A great weekend with good company, good weather, good food, good beer, a few rescues and not many fish.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

We arrived at Jannock about 11 am and took her down the Stockton flight to Blue Lias where we winded at the end of the arm and moored alongside Harnser for the Cutweb rally weekend. Friday evening was spent in the pub having a meal and social evening with fellow club members, some of which we had not seen for a while so a lot of catching up was in order.

I appeared to spend most of Friday afternoon and Saturday morning rushing around getting things sorted for the weekend and taking everybody's rally money, the joys of being a treasurer! After lunch Bob from Sambuka arrived and so some of the rally attendees spent the afternoon learning how to do Samba drumming etc. In the evening we had a very entertaining solo performance by Kate Saffin about a 'boat of ill repute' based on the Oxford canal, followed by a ploughman's meal, an especially speedy version of the Cutweb raffle and all culminating in a performance by the Cutweb samba band (thanks to Andrew Dyke for recording the video).

The morning started with the charity auction followed by Sunday lunch in the function room. In the evening we rounded of the rally with a Bingo quiz read by Glen assisted by Brenda.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

We left Blue Lias and shared the Stockton flight with Harnser, but we got split up at Calcutt locks by a boat out doing a training course. Brenda was of the opinion that the trainer could do with some training, let alone the student. We met up again and did a communal self-pumpout at Braunston before we left Harnser at the water point and made our way to U.C.C. where Jannock was booked in the dry dock for a blacking. As we passed under Butchers bridge in Braunston we met the Irons' coming the other way on Quidditch, they had left the rally on Sunday morning with firm plans for a route back via the G.U Leicester section and the Soar but had decided they were short of time so had turned about to retrace their trip along the North Oxford, Coventry and T&M.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

We are a lock missing. We left Jannock below the bottom lock last weekend and appeared out of the dry-dock above it sporting a shiny black bottom and gleaming tunnel bands. We joined a hire crew in an ABC boat for the first lock. They were apologising to all cut users for some of their less than professional cruising over the weekend. They'd even had one moored boater throw a mooring stake at them as they passed. The problem was that no one at the boat yard had told them about the 4mph limit or even slowing down past moored boats. They had figured it all out for themselves from the angry shouting they attracted. They complained that all the boatyard told them was how to do a lock. They were totally un-aware of boating rules and etiquette and even had to work out how all the on-board appliances worked for themselves. I am amazed that there wasn't even a manual on board. Once up the Braunston flight we passed through a surprisingly dry tunnel, across the summit and then down the Wilton flight and continued on to Weedon where we stopped on 14 day moorings until next weekend.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

We travelled to Jannock on Friday evening and spent the night aboard ready for an early start.
Graham got up and cast off at 7am whilst Brenda spent some time catching up with consciousness. After Blisworth boatwash tunnel we teamed up with a day-boat crew and descended the locks with them. - Oh that all day-boat crews were as skilled and sober! - They had met up for a family re-union, coming from all over the country, and got the weather to suit. It was a glorious day and Brenda took photos to prove it, so why did she not have her camera handy when I spotted a large kingfisher sunbathing on a bush? The sunshine made the best of his magnificent colours - and he knew it, sat there showing off as we passed.

As we approached Cosgrove lock there were boats in all directions, 2 of them widebeam and one winding. On the lock landing there has been an outbreak of bollard-rash, the worst we've seen and one boater said she'd hurt herself getting off her boat as she'd crunched into one. They are taller than standard rope bollards and each has a red band around the top. A local residential boater said the only reason for them being there was " that BW had too much money and not enough to waste spend it on. I suppose, as shown in the photo on the right, they are useful for attaching dogs to!     A cynic then, any thoughts anyone?

As we approached the Grafton Street aqueduct there were 2 women and a child in a pushchair on the offside looking very perplexed. I realised they were trying to work out how to get to the towpath side. I suggested they board our back deck and we ferried them across with a little push from the bank. Not only did this solve the problem but it seemed to be the most exciting thing they'd done in years. Brenda pointed out that they must have very boring lives; the response was "oh yes! we are from South Africa!" Now, I might be wrong but I believe that recent events in South Africa can not be described as boring. We moored up at 4pm and Graham went to do a car shuffle on the Di Blasi calling at Ikea on the way back to exchange some items that we'd bought too many of last Thursday. The mooring out in the wilds of Stantonbury Park farm were very peaceful.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

A later start today at 8:30 but still Brenda remained a-kip. The run down through Milton Keynes is very slow, working out at below 3mph, due to the number of bankside moorers about. We passed Thorn and Persephone moored near Black Horse bridge resplendent in their new grey livery. When we arrived at Fenny lock there was a short Wyvern boat tying up to get the lock ready, as I had walked ahead from the bridge I had the gates open and Brenda put Jannock in before he'd even got his boat untied. Another short Wyvern boat was approaching from the North and so we managed to squeeze them in as well. Three boats in one go - I wouldn't try this with these craft on a lock with a deep fall, but Fenny was OK. We stopped at Willowbridge Marina for diesel and two 13kG gas bottles. They allow you to select your tax rate here and then charge the extra duty as a separate item. It obviously helps them keep track of what they owe the taxman. Base price was 60ppl for domestic use. At Stoke Hammond I hopped off armed with my windlass and moved the car to Soulbury where I had the bottom lock empty and open when Jannock and another boat arrived. We shared with them up the three locks, following a single Wyvern boat, with no-one coming down and then moored Jannock on the 14 day moorings above.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

We arrived at Jannock just before 10am and were visited by three canoes whilst I was untying ready for the off. These three turned about above Soulbury top lock and were off back towards Linslade before we got underway. They were soon followed by many more who were launching themselves into the canal above the locks for a one-way trip back to the school at Linslade. Just around the first bend we met a Wyvern boat that was weaving all over the cut on their way towards us. Even though we kept over their steerer applied the wrong movement to her tiller and gave Jannock an almighty crunch on the bows as we met. I pointed out that she needed to point the tiller towards what she wanted to miss - not the other way round. They then proceeded to hold up two boats behind them as they had got themselves completely across the canal blocking it. We passed Pengalanty moored outside the Globe Inn but Allan was concentrating on something on the table and was shielding his eyes from the sun coming through his window. On through Linslade and out towards the Grove Lock where a new boatyard has appeared at the old wharf, just before the ring road bridge. Their sign writing states that they do engines, painting and all manner of repairs. They also appear to have a chandlery but we didn't stop to explore.

After passing through Grove lock we found a new marina that also wasn't there when we came North last May. It's not open yet but it wont be long I'm sure. At church lock we waited for a boat that had arrived at Grove, just as we were leaving. After quite a long wait, I enquired of a towpath runner whether they had passed through Grove lock or stopped at the pub and he replied that there was not a boat coming through the lock when he passed. So I closed the gate and up we went - only to be joined by the other boat just as we were leaving. I apologised but they said they were going to stop for lunch above Church lock and not to wait at Slapton. Once we reached Slapton lock then the trusty lock wheeling bike came out for the final run up through Ivinghoe to Marsworth. We shared some of these locks with a day-boat from Pitstone wharf that was crewed by a couple of families, they were eager to know how to do things correctly and were very quick learners. A run back to Soulbury on the Di Blasi fetched the car for a short trip home.

Crew - Graham and Brenda

Having returned home on Saturday night, the weather forecast for Sunday was now good so we returned to Jannock first thing in the morning and completed the run back to Bourne End. It proved to be a journey slowed right down by locks set against us and fishermen. We started up the Marsworth flight and soon caught up the single boat ahead and so we shared the last two locks in the flight with them. They were stopping at Cowroast marina so we set off down the other side of the summit solo again. Cowroast lock had the bottom gates and both paddles all left open when I arrived and so I had to turn it as no-one was ascending. Dudswell top lock was in the same state and between the two locks was a broken down narrowboat. They asked for assistance with their gear selection and I asked them if they had been leaving all of the bottom paddles up. They firmly denied this but admitted to leaving the gates open as this was normal on the Grand Union. Obviously there must be a Gremlin following them and raising the paddles again after they had passed through the lock. They found the fault in their gear cable and fixed it but decided to remain tied up for lunch so we continued on solo.

Brenda decided that the big fishing match that was going on along this stretch of the G.U. should be available as an advice notice through the BW stoppage notification system. At least we could then choose not to boat and then not have to suffer the miserable looks and muttering that accompanied our passing every rod. A Northbound boater told us about how they had an altercation with a fisherman who had positioned himself on Winkwell winding hole. This fisherman decided that the boat owner had no right to turn his boat during the match and it almost came to fisticuffs with the boater getting off and squaring up to him on the towpath. Some match pitches were adjacent to the public car park at Berkhamstead. As Brenda moved Jannock past one fisherman slid his rob back across the grass and gave a parked car a heavy clout with the end of his pole. He didn't even bother to look round so we wondered how many times he'd done that during the day. Brenda had to wait for a northbound boat to ascend topside lock where one bloke was fishing off of the lock landing so she slowed right down and waited with the engine out of gear in order to not ruin their swim. Was it appreciated? Not likely, she was moaned at for taking too long to pass his rod. We arrived back and tied up to our mooring before I got the Di Blasi out and fetched the car from Marsworth.

Here endeth 2009 - Visit the Blog for 'as-it-happens' reports in 2010!

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