Bright sunshine was the order of the day; we left Batchworth at 7.35am beneath a cloudless sky. Moored boats from Batchworth all the way to Stockers lock, crawling by them enable us to exchange greetings and differing opinions on the weather for this summer. Everyone was smiling and friendly, perhaps there is some substance in this Seasonal Affective Disorder after all.
Below Stockers lock, there were permanently moored boats all the way to Springwell lock. We noticed that most had current licences; at last BW seem to have some effective enforcement officers in this area. We also did not see any strange fern like plants in the boat windows; these were much in evidence on our last journey along this part of canal.
We passed the time of day with various BW men, all of whom were very cheerful and helpful, opening and closing gates and some good natured mickey taking on both sides.
Above Widewater lock, we stopped for lunch, it was still sunny! We eventually moored above Denham deep lock, intending to spoil ourselves in the lock café – it was shut!
A tug came by us, pushing one barge and towing another. We tried to speak to one of the boatmen, but he didn’t seem to understand. We then saw Peter Wakeham (coal boat Baron)at the lock; he said that a lot of them were Polish.
We moved down the lock and moored for the night below in yet more sunshine!
Wonderful, let us hope that this is the start of an amazing summer.
2009 Totals – Locks 89; Miles 87; Bus pass uses 2.
