Back on the straight and wider.

We were ready at 0915 but there was a lad coming up the lock so we were delayed whilst we helped him through It was a beautiful day so there was no hardship waiting. We had three locks to do on the Stort before getting back to the Lee Navigation. 

I have a mystery that I hope that somebody out there can solve. There is a line of these concrete blocks, about 500yds apart across Hunsdon Mead which is a hay meadow. On the way up it seemed that the line continued on the other side of the canal too. There is no tunnel below the area. They look like WWII vintage. There was an airfield where Mosquito planes operated from in the 1940's but that is quite away away and the line doesn't seem to point towards there. The other idea I had was that they could be access to a subsurface pipeline but I can find nothing about it.

I nearly went the wrong way as I was looking at Roydon Mill. The canal actually goes 90 dgs to port under a railway bridge. The old mill stream looks like a canal. Roydon Mill seems to be an hotel now, and there are chalets in the grounds and a marina with many boats within it and a lock to get into it.

We turned to port at Feilde's Weir and back on to the Lee. After penning down we stopped for water just on the lock landing before setting off again.

The Fish and Eels pub has long moorings alongside and looks quite a nice place to eat.

There has been a few wide beams moving today. I can't say that it looks much fun to me. It must keep you on edge all the time as you can't get out of the way on these narrower navigations

This trip boat was very full of folk having a nice lunch. One thing on the side of a wide beam is that it can't go anywhere in the lock.

We were warned by the trip boat that a rowing boat had overturned just round the corner and a day boat was rescuing them. All that was to be seen was an overturned rowing boat by the offside bank. The hire base at Broxbourne seems to have a busy trade in pedalos, rowing and motor boats, along with day boats that venture further afield.

Opposite the hire base is another nice pub, the Crown.

The reservoirs and flooded gravel pits seem to be put to good use and this sailing/canoe/climbing club seems to be very well equipped.

We were tied up by 1530 and had a bite to eat before setting to with a number of jobs. I had stored some logs under the solar panels and needed to move them so that when we went on the Thames we didn't lose them. It mean't rejigging the bow locker and stowing stuff better. I also sawed up the last of the timber we had picked up. I also filled the stern greaser up and helped Helen change the planting in our pots as they were past there best. Helen than started some baking and I went to pick some blackberries and also found some conference pears. I reckon that must be a blackberry and pear pie in Helen's new pie dish bought in Bishop Stortford.

There is a real contrast between the Stort and the Lee. I expect that the Stort is not much boated but it is a shame as it is beautiful up there and the navigation does give a brilliant challenge to steering etc. The gates are heavy and as the locks are only 13' wide both gates have to be opened/closed. It is a navigation not to be hurried and done in short days and take advantage to the lovely walks and villages that you pass by. It is well worth the trouble, and if you have got as far as London you may as well.