08-08 Berkhamsted on the Grand Union Canal

Thursday 6th August: Miserable grey and drizzly start to the day but improved and by late afternoon was red hot! Set off at 10am and locked up first three locks with nb Fancy from Shepperton on the Thames.  They stopped to visit the boatyard at Winkwell and we proceeded through the swing bridge and past the Three Horseshoes (we visited this pub back in the 70's to arrange one of our first canal trips together). Shortly after we passed and then nb Moonrakers Dream caught up with us to go through the next few locks.

We both moored at Berkhamsted

below lock 53 by the small park which provided us with somewhere to sit away from pedestrians and cyclists.

Very close to Berkhamsted station we had a good view of the Penilono's hurtling through on the viaduct.

We were initially crowding out two other boats, both of which indicated they were moving on.  Once established and recuperated with lunch we set off to walk back to the Rising Sun two locks back together with the crew of nb Moonrakers Dream - Brian and Sue with Collie  called Molly and Jack Russel called Bob for a well earned pint or two.  Later in the evening Bridie and I enjoyed the fish a chips I went and purchased at the fish bar across in the station!

Friday 7th August:  Decided after a late start and poor sleep to stay put and explore Berkhamsted.We went for a wander round the town centre in the morning wandering round some of its more interesting shops and buying some goodies in a very nice bakery (including some lardy cake - haven't seen that on sale for years).  After lunch we walked the dogs round the Castle grounds

with a grandstand view of the railway

and included a brief look at the station on the way back to the boat and noted how far over the Pendilino's tilt on the approach to the station.

Spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out in the chairs with the four dogs enjoying some freedom and ball games in the park.   Bridie and I then went for a bit of a walk trying to find somewhere to eat ending up at The Crown in the High St after finding that Friday evening in Berkhamsted is pretty busy and most places were heaving.  The Crown was cheap and food unexciting but ok BUT as usual we had to endure a very loud conversation at the table behind us with two females who had to use the F word rather frequently and thought every one in the pub was interested in their holiday plans and exploits.

Saturday 8th August: Hot and sunny most of the day with a little light cloud.  Bridie walked into town to explore the market with Sue while Brian and I relaxed with the dogs in the park.   After Bridie came back from town with a few goodies we both did a shop at Waitrose to replenish various dwindling stocks of food and also bought a Curry for tonight's meal After lunch  I spent some time cleaning down the roof again after we had started to collect tree rubbish and sticky sap to  collect the dirt.  The narrow boat pair Kangeroo and Australia passed through this afternoon

and Bridie managed to get a rather nice film of them exiting lock 53 as a pair whilst only opening one gate! (unfortunately too big to add here)