Double lock buddies.

We left about 0930 when it was still a little over cast and even had a few spots of rain.

The Metropolitan Line cross the canal just up from our mooring and before Cassio Bridge Lock. It seems that 67 journeys were taken on the Line in 2-11/2012 but not many of those would have been on a Monday morning Bank Holiday. There were not many passengers at all!  It seems that there are big changes coming in Watford as at present the Tube statiton is well away from the centre. They are going to be extending it to the central station where it will link with main West Coast Main Line Watford Junction. The current station will close and the disused a little further down will be reopened. Two new stations will be opened, Cassiobridge, Vicarage Road and join with the Watford High Street Station before terminating at the Watford Junction Station. It is also supposed to kick off this year and should be finished by 2020. I do wonder if there is a similar scheme in the Leeds Manchester area to help out in commuting. Bring on the Northern Powerhouse.

We stopped for water above the lock and picked up loads of rubbish whilst waiting and managed to pick some blackberries. The canal is very green and the river Gade enters and leaves the canal regularly and where it doesn't you can tell as it is very shallow. The river runs out of the canal often under these low bridges.

Helen was enjoying the lock work, especially when the sun came out. After the first lock we shared with 'By Appointment'. They moor in Little Venice and are on the way to Cow Roast for some work on the boat. Yesterday we spoke to a young land who said he had bid for a mooring in Rickmansworth and stopped at £7000. There are no facilities like water or electricity. The lady today was saying that they pay £6500 and there is water and electricity. If the information is correct it seems that everything is upside down. Mind you I'm not sure I would thank you for living on a boat in Little Venice for any longer than a couple of weeks.

The tow path was very busy with walkers in the sunshine. Iron bridge Lock always seems to have loads of kids aching to give a hand with a beam and adults trying to explain how a lock works, without really knowing! Grove Bridge is covered in scaffolding but looks as though it is just about finished with the painting and looks lovely.

Grove Mill was looking nice but there were plenty of boats moored around.

This is the poor relation of the Grove bridges and always reminds me of the 'Shroppie for some reason.

The M25 spur bridge is not even as pretty as the lesser Grove Bridge but it does make a great frame for the greenery.

I think that this is North Grove Lock. The time passed very quickly as the locks passed and we were chatting whilst rising in the lock. I forgot to take many photos too.

The M25 bridge is quite pleasing as there is a slight curve in the line but on Bank Holiday Monday I would rather be down here. It has been very quiet on the canal for a bank holiday. Maybe we are just in between the weekend distance from most of the marinas. 

We continued on and found a spot in the sun above Kings Langley. Since mooring up Helen has been baking and I have made some alterations to the ventilation of the loo and cleaned the filters etc. I will boil up my foraged fruits later ready to make some jam tomorrow. Things are slowly getting to normal after London.