HEMMED IN AT HEMEL

FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 2009

It wasn’t an early start, but we eventually got going and Jacky was keen to help with the locks, so we made swift progress towards Hemel Hempstead, remarking that the remaining paper mills were in the final stage of demolition and the Kodak Tower had disappeared, but there now is a very smart BW marina at Apsley

We were trying to meet up with Jacquie’s Uncle and Aunt, who lived nearby in St. Albans and we finally met the just beyond bridge 150 where a playing field adjoins the canal. Fred & Josie had been involved with the Sea Cadets for most of their active life and were intrigued to see how living aboard could be done these days without loss of creature comforts. After a late lunch they said goodbye and we headed on to find a more open aspect to moor.

The bottom gates of Lock 63 were leaking very badly and as the top end had only ground paddles, there was more water leaking out the bottom than coming in, making it impossible to open the top gates, but along came Martin from NB LUCILLE and with his extra weight we were able to force the gate open. As Martin was also making his way up, we said we would wait and help him through and then continue together through the next few locks. This was a very pleasant arrangement as he and his wife Helen were good company. The electrically operated swing bridge at Winkwell, makes one feel very powerful as you operate the controls, the red lights flash and barriers comedown, holding up the traffic as the bridge slowly swings to one side. Both LUCILLE and SKYY carried on for a couple more locks before stopping for the night.

Martin asked if it would be OK to lock through together, tomorrow, as his wife Helen was traveling back home, first thing in the morning. We said that we had intended to spend some time in Hemel, but he assured that we would be disappointed and that we would do much better continuing to Berkhamstead. We took his word and agreed to get going at 10am in the morning.