Cassiobury Park – Hemel Hempstead

We had another slow day today, only 6.5 miles in 6 hours, and 13 locks.  Again we worked most of the locks alone, trying all morning to catch up with the boat just ahead of us who were leaving all the top gates open (!) which of course made more work for me!  We finally caught them up at lunch time, but then wished we hadn’t.  They were a couple in their seventies, bless them, who seemed to be on another planet, with a daughter who did no work, and her novice boyfriend, who sort of helped, but was then told that it only needed two of us and he should get back on the boat.  After sharing for a few locks, we stopped for water and they went on ahead, sharing with the single-hander who was in front.  We are now moored for the night in Hemel Hempstead, just below Boxmoor Lock, with a fine view of the cricket ground.

The Grove Bridge – very pretty

New development between Kings Langley and Apsley, consisting of houses, apartments, shops and a new Marina - very posh, compared to the old factories that used to be here 10 years ago

Guarding the lock

This evening’s entertainment

A short day tomorrow as we plan only to cruise to Winkwell, where we will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in the Three Horseshoes – one of our favourite canal-side pubs.