Rain Stopped Play

It was another leisurely start on our push towards the capital this morning.

I presume 'The Griffin' is a Fullers pub somewhere ...



Some really lovely lock settings around these parts ...

We were going to try to get through Hemel Hempstead but once we looked at the Guide realised it could be a tad optimistic today - there is lock after lock after lock in these parts.

It wasn't as warm as yesterday so we thought we should get through quite a few locks OK.  Once again we were on our own, but, as usual now, I jump off the boat to give Elaine a hand with the gates and paddles.  There is a bit more mucking about in the double locks, especially going downhill ... I just use the centreline round a bollard to stop the boat moving back and getting hung on the cill. 

C'mon jump aboard ...

Love the tractor tracks through the crops ...

Still hugging the west coast mainline, it will be strange to get on the K&A and see trains other than Virgin ...

Coming into Berkhamsted ...

Strange building ...

It took a fair while to get through the locks with most having to be reset - as a lot of them have to be left empty with a paddle raised.   Also some locks had anti-vandal devices fitted (a new anti-vandal design down here - using a BW key - much better than those up north!).  I can't imagine any scrotes in Berkhamsted though, it seems such a nice place!

It also has a good selection of pubs ...

Loved this one - it was very patriotic, plus children are not allowed but dogs are welcome!

Double click on the pic to read the small print ...

Only problem is it's a fast day...noooooooooooooooooo!

Down we go ...

Why aren't we stopping?

 

Nice garden ...

We just about cleared Berkhamsted when we decided to stop and eat a lettuce leaf.
I don't quite know what happened, but we sat down for a bit and both fell asleep!! By the time we woke up it was pissing down, so that was it ... we will stay put for the night and watch the remainder of Mad Dogs on the DVD.  We started watching the series on the plane on the way over last year and we have only just gotten around to buying the DVDs!