Ducks and Dinosaurs

Waiting for two boats to clear a lock

We left Abbots Langley this morning, staying in convoy with Pat and Bob, and headed for Hemel Hampstead. Virtually every lock today was set against us, but we made good progress as we established a slick system for getting through in the minimum time.

Cute cygnets

We passed loads of little fluffy creatures on the way, and Angela fed every one!

Proud mum with her tyre house

It is fascinating to see the inginuity of water birds, building nests out of all sorts of modern day rubbish.

Washing in the conservatory!

We moored up in Hemel Hemstead, and did the washing - our little twin tub worked a treat. Angela and Pat then headed into town, while Bob went in search of a welder and I set about making a permanent repair to the front lamp, checked for leaks in the cooling system and stuffed the front of Banjo with damp washing. When Angela and Pat returned with bags of provisions (and clothes!) after quite a hike to the shops, we set off to find moorings for the night in the country beyond Hemel.

There are dinosaurs here!

As we left Hemel Hampstead behind, we passed this dinosaur, but then had a really close encounter with something a bit smaller. As we were about to leave a lock, Angela spotted a duck which had become waterlogged and was in danger of sinking. We set about trying to catch it and get it onto dry land. Alas we didn't have much to do this with, and manouvering two 15 ton plus narrowboats without squashing a small duck is not easy. Aided by a small fishing net and Bob's incredibly long boathook, we managed to encourage the soggy bird into the lock where we cornered it and I was able to grab it. Angela checked it over, and we left it sitting amonst weeds on the bank with a pile of wet bread. About a mile later, we found a lovely spot away from the road and railway, to moor for the night.