Up and over the top.

We didn't get away too early as we had to wait for the paper shop to open at 1000 and then there was the Archers on too. We compromised and set off listening to it outside. We went up the gas two locks just outside Berkhamsted and as we approached Bushes Lock a wide beam pulled out in front of us, and they weren't out to break any records. I helped them up the lock and then it was our turn. I then spent about 20 minutes getting out a mat of reeds and rushes that was blocking one the gate. I was hoping that another boat may come up the locks and we could share with them, but no such luck.

Clearing a 'floating island' from behind the gate.

In any only another lock or two we overtook her as she was having engine problems, but we never did get a lock buddy this side of the summit. The sun was trying to shine but it was a little breezy.

This lock beam had seen a few summers when it was growing. Despite its size it has well hung and it swung very easily. Dudswell Lock.

We reached Cowroast Lock and once through the lock we stopped for water and to empty the 'unmentionables' and now we are all set for another three weeks at least.

Cowroast is the summit lock from south. There is a lock keepers cottage and this building was the Control Office were all the boating movements were recorded and passed up and down the line when it was a working canal.

Tring Summit is not much more than a couple of miles long and mostly passing through a cutting that took almost five years to dig even though at its deepest it is only 30 foot deep. It can be gloomy down there as the trees block out a lot of the light.

On a day like today there is a definite touch of autumn in the air. The green of the leaves has faded and are just starting to turn now. There is a coolness to the day that just gives that edge. I am almost looking forward to the first fire of the autumn.

We thought we had a lock buddy for going down the Marsworth Locks but they stopped at the water point. We had settled in the lock when I just glimpsed a day boat on the way towards us. They had many hands, but mainly children but it did make the passage pass quickly.

Helen in one of the Marsworth pounds.

View from the cut through a natural window in the hedge to Marsworth Reservoir.

We popped out at the bottom of the seven locks after being entertained by the many gongoozlers and their children. We had a two year old from Tanzania that could push the gates on his own!

We said good bye to our help down the locks as they had to have their boat back at 1730 and found a spot for the night overlooking the start of the Aylesbury Arm. It was good to be moving again.