This is a catch up entry as yesterday we were whisked away by Mathew for the reunion dinner of our fellow neighbours of Baileys Close in Blackwater who first met 41 years ago. We had an excellent meal in the Chequers at Eversley- a good evening was had by all.
Last Sunday Simon had arranged for three friends Bradley, Ilana and Tarquin who all wanted to experience a trip on a narrowboat to join us at Brentford. The weather was much better than the previous evening and they had all arrived by 09.45. We cast off at 10.00 for the assault on the 10 locks and 10 miles to Packet Boat Marina at the junction of the Slough Arm at West Drayton. They all enjoyed their time on the boat and made our journey up the flight so much easier- we even managed to sit in the cratch and watch the world go by- thank you all very much.
As we started up the Hanwell Flight we caught up with a solo boater who we had met on the Basingstoke Canal so shared some of the locks with him.We last came this way in 2005 and there have been a lot of new flats built and also a large new Tescos right by the canal with mooring outside between bridges 192 and 191.
 |
| Sundays crew all ready for the locks- Bradley in the cap is the 2nd Assistant Captain for the day |
 |
| Water coming over the bottom gate of the Hanwell Locks |
 |
| Asylum Wharf part way up the Hanwell flight.The light brick area used to be an entrance where coal and goods would be taken into Hanwell's Victorian Mental Asylum |
 |
| Brunel's railway line to Brentford goes under the canal as we go under the road above |
 |
We have seen several summer houses that can be moved to follow the sun - this is the nicest
This cat stayed on the lock beam until we started to open the gate-very chilled |
 |
| Not sure about the style and colour scheme |
 |
| These three were moored by Kingston Bridge - not sure what they are somebody suggested floating flats |
 |
| Swanning about |
 |
| Very stylish |
 |
| This reminds me of a pre WW1 steam ship |
 |
| This looks like a WW1 tank! |
