Eastenders scene re-visited

We awoke this morning to sunshine and quiet dogs. Nush and Lola didn't make a sound all night and this morning, still seemed tired out after yesterday's exciting first day on a boat.


Letting sleeping dogs lie

After a pile of scrambled eggs and a walk with the dogs, we set off into Dobbs Weir lock which was about 100 meters from where we spent the night. This section of the river Lee, heading down towards the M25 is fairly attractive for the most part, passing through lush greenery and open marshland. Shortly after Dobbs Weir comes Carthagena Lock which is always covered in flowers at this time of year.

Nothing but pretty things in sight

After pausing in Waltham Abbey to collect supplies (the missing chocolate, beer and crisps!), and empty the dogs, we moved south and under the M25. Almost immediately things changed and just as we were passing a group of eastern europeans sitting by a campfire fishing for their tea, it happened! The engine started to sound different and we slow to a crawl (down from 4 mph to perhaps 1mph!). We had seen the volume of blanket weed increasing and at this point, our propeller had gathered a great lump of the stuff. After a few fruitless attempts to free the prop up by thrashing back and forth, there was no option but to open up the weed hatch, and try to fish out the mess.

The unattractive sight of G down the weed hatch

Angela thoughtfully captured the moment on camera! Having pulled out a mass of the green gungy mass, we set off again only to come to a halt again as we entered Rammey Marsh lock. We managed to shake it off this time and pressed on.

A cute coot

The next notable sighting was the approach to Enfield Lock, which featured in the memorable scene from Eastenders where Gary leaves the soap in a rowing boat.

Gary in Enfield

Banjo in Enfield

It was getting increasingly dull and rain began to fall, so we put the hood up (thank you Hoodman!), just in time to enter Enfield lock. As you leave the lock, there is a low bridge, and the hood cleared it by a little over 1 inch - phew!

Blanket weed and bottles at Enfield Lock

The rain became more persistent and we elected to moor up for the night in Ponders End. A lovely spot between pylons and factories, although we have managed to find a small green spot the developers have overlooked.
It is still raining as I write this and we are looking forward to setting off down the towpath in the dark and rain with the dogs before we head for bed.

PS - thank you for your comments Lorraine  - it's good to be back.