The moment of truth and the rise of a wreck

It was with some trepidation that we set off a little after 9.30am. The rain had arrived earlier but better weather was forecast so we waited. Then I decided to go blackberry picking ready to make a Blackberry and Apple Crumble and no... it wasn't delaying tactics! Anyway once pins were pulled Ian went and stood at the front armed with boat pole while I gingerly crept forward following his hand signals as to which way to go. More often then not I had to reverse to allow a particular dense patch to be pushed to one side and progress was slow.

 But we did clear the worst of it after the M25 bridge and apart from a few patches by overhanging trees which meant we had to keep well over onto the towpath side, the rest of the journey was stress free. In the crystal clear water we saw loads of patches of blanket weed as well as large amounts of aquatic plants which could foul the prop, especially if one didn't keep to the middle. It was particularly dense by the long line of moored boats.

Overhanging trees meant the channel was reduced

  We did have one incident that frightened the life out of us both when a submerged burnt out boat suddenly rose up from the depths. Not sure if we caught it as we went past or if the water displacement caused it to rise. For anyone going down to the end to wind it's by bridge 8.

A lot more showed itself and I got this as it was submerging.

Got another shock to see a boat coming toward us. Thought we were the only mad ones to make the journey Loads of underwater weed growth on this section

Lovely mural at bridge 11

On reaching the end we were very disappointed. It's just a winding hole with nowhere to get off. The chemical factory smells were also off putting but there were some nice parks to explore if one was so inclined.

The terminus. Winding hole to the left

And winding hole

Yesterday on our walk we spied some boaters gold. Loads of what looked like seasoned wood ready for the taking. So on our way back and just before the start of the Pennywort we stopped, put the nose into the bank,stuck the arse end out 'cause it was to shallow and stopped to collect some of it. In our opinion it was a bit early to start collecting (usually start in October) but when the opportunity arose.......

Having taken a little over 3.5 hours to do there and back we stopped in the same place as yesterday. Just for a late lunch but then Ian decided that, with no one around, the chainsaw could come out of cold storage and be fired back into life. So now all branches neatly cut into usable logs and because the afternoon was now coming to a close, we decided to stay another night.

And on route and on the mooring.

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Oh dear. We may have made a mistake!

Not the quietest of moorings here at Tesco, being 24 hours the traffic came and went throughout the night. Rain was once again forecast for today and we didn't really want to move but sitting on a 24 hour mooring for another day just didn't seem right. So we left to leave room for other boats and, although dry at first, it wasn't long before the drizzle started. Ian jokingly said that no doubt as soon as we get onto the Slough Arm it would rain. Wish he'd kept his mouth shut!!

Anyway it wasn't a bad journey along the first part of Southern GU although not a big fan of this section. Rubbish was very much in evidence and the problematic floating Pennywort was also seen. This is another plant species that can play havoc on the waterways. It usually forms dense low-growing mats rooting on wet soil near water and can spread across the whole width of the channel. What was just a few patches on the GU turned out to be much more serious further along.

Come rain or shine the grass cutting crew were doing their best to keep the towpaths clear. This time I was pleased to see them stop strimming at moored boats, something other crews in different areas fail to do. One boat had it's own garden to attend. Quite how he sees over the top to navigate is anyones guess. Then another boat had smoke pouring from his chimney. I know the weather isn't brilliant but it's definitely not cold. As we went past his front doors were wide open. Probably a little too hot inside now!!!

 Then we ran into another boat, literally. Couldn't really miss it although I did try. Kept coming at us you see but no harm done, at least I didn't sink it. Debated whether to take it and attach to the stern as somewhere to put Ian if he got troublesome. He said it was more like the other way round.

Just after a footbridge between bridges 191 and 190 was the turn into the Slough Arm. Not immediately clear at first where it was but it soon came into view. What wasn't clear until to late what we were going to be up against.

Slough Arm on the left

Turned by Cowley Peachy Junction and Oh dear whats that ahead

Soon found out.

Floating Pennywort everywhere. Notice the bridge number 0 Is this the only one on the system?

 Having committed ourselves we managed to weave around the Pennywort, went past the Packet Boat Marina entrance which was also the last winding point for nearly a mile and felt like first time explorers having no idea what to expect. Then came the rain!!! From a bit of drizzle suddenly someone turned on a tap above. At first there was no where to stop but luckily a stretch of moorings showed itself. Got onto them as quick as possible and into the dry. And that is where we have stayed. The rain got heavier and a thunder storm broke out lasting for nearly an hour. No point in continuing today and anyway I want to have a walk to see what lies ahead as soon as the rain stops. If we have to back up then it's only about half a mile to the marina entrance.Would rather go to the terminus 'cause after all that's what we set out to do but will have to see what tomorrow brings.


Just before I posted this the rain about stopped and we went for a walk. This is what we found. Still not sure whether to proceed but Ian wants to know where my sense of adventure is. Somehow I think we will be going on!!!

 

Raining Damsons, green carpets and another question.

 Left early to get up Hanwell flight before the rain set in again only to find the bottom gate padlocked!!! Cup of tea then before Ian walked up the flight only to meet a C&RT bod walking down to open up. More bad news though, as the pound between lock 93 and 94 was dry. Apparently s a leak somewhere in the canal bed meant the pound was empty every morning, hence the padlocked gates. So we proceeded up the first 3 locks and tied to the bollards by lock 94.

Hanwell flight bottom lock, time 7.40am

Tad low

Being filled by a side sluice rather then from the next pound. Apparently it saves water and we think it comes from above Norwood top lock

 Azolla weed. This is what is carpeting the locks and pounds at the lower end of the GU. A highly invasive specious which, if left unchecked, destroys the aquatic plant life by cutting out the sunlight and starves fish of oxygen. A Weevil was introduced to several waterways a few years back hoping it would eat its way through the stuff. So far it looks as if it hasn't worked. Our own canal the Erewash was covered in the stuff back in August 2012 and 2000 Weevils released. We still have problems to date.

Not duck weed as first thought

 Stenopelmus rufinasus. Weevil photo taken from C&RT website

Amazing what one sees at canal side gardens! Wheres Barbie Ken?

Having finally got the pound deep enough for us to proceed it was a lovely sight to see a volunteer lockie cycling up the towpath. All the locks had been against us and now we had high hopes for the last three locks to be ready.  Not so though, as he cycled straight past all the locks leaving us to fend for ourselves. Felt a bit peeved at first, after all isn't that why they volunteer at locks! It was as we reached the top lock he told me he had no key with him (I presume he meant a windlass) so now I understood why.

Hooray.... a volunteer.

No not collecting water but trying to gather Damsons.

And the volunteers at Norwood top lock

After using the facilities and noticing how dark the sky were getting we high tailed it to Bulls bridge  and was very relieved to see a space on the Tesco mooring. Got there just in time before the downpour started. Had a brief lull after about an hour so off for a Tesco Shop. Will sit it out and hope for a better day tomorrow.

Just a question that someone may be able to answer. We fancy doing the Slough Arm but have heard reports that it's to silted for boats to travel along now. Anyone know if this is correct??

On route today,

It's a rubbish nest!