Des Res for the discerning duck

29/03/12
Bridge 16a, Northolt - Cowley Lock - 8 miles 0 Locks

Posh Moorings for Free

After yesterdays diesel fiasco, we decided to stop at the next available Boatyard to fill up with EVERYTHING!! So last night we headed for Highline Yachting in Northholt.  I made sure that there would be no hiccups by calling them first and checking they were open, they were till 4.30pm.  So we went hell for leather to get there in time arriving at 4pm.

Captain Nasty keeping watch

The place was deserted, not a person in sight, and the offices all locked up, so I called back and spoke to a very apologetic man who was very sorry that he had given me the wrong information and there wouldn't be anyone there till tomorrow at 9.30am!!  

He realised that I was quite cross about this and offered to let us moor there FOC for the night for our inconvenience (is normally £8 per night).  

The next morning was bright and sunny and the man arrived right on time.  We filled the diesel tank to the top and it only took 107 litres.  Now, the tank itself is supposed to hold 225l so the mark we thought was the empty mark was actually the half a tank mark so we had all that aggro yesterday for no reason really lol Hey Ho, lesson learned.


We topped up the water tank and gas reserves and Yog spotted a nifty gadget for showing you how much gas is left in your bottle.  it cost £4 and is magnetic so you just stick it to the bottle.  Cool, as soon as we can work out how to read and understand the damn thing!!

Check the bank, there are 2 Herons

Flying Heron

Heron in Flight

The scenery is starting to get a lot more picturesque now, and even though it is hard work at the moment the environment is much nicer than it was in London and that makes things a lot easier.  At least we are moving again now which is a big relief for both of us!!


As we passed the Slough Arm of the GU it marked the point for us where we really started to head North.  


The going was slow as we were passing a lot of moored boats in marinas or on in line moorings. Far more than there are on the Lee, they go on for miles!!


It was good for getting ideas for what (and what NOT) to do with your boat though lol!! 






My favourite sight for the day was this floating duck house, tied to the back of a large dutch barge at the marina.  


What a pukka des res for the discerning duck about town!  


When we passed the marina, we started to look for somewhere to pull in with a decent landmark as Nip and Terry had called us wanting to visit for a catch up and a beer.  We found a place, right next to The Malt Shovel Pub, right next to a large park for the puppy.  That was us for the night, all I needed to do now was try and avoid a hangover!!