Kingston Upon Thames to Hemel Hempstead

 

 

Kingston Bridge to Nash Mill Top Lock No 68  is a trip of 33 miles and 36 locks.

 

After spending a couple of days moored in Kingston, Capt. E. will have been bracing himself for the next leg of this new ground (water)… The tidal Section of the river Thames between Teddington and Brentwood – luckily it’s not long (circa 5 miles of tidal river) but adrenaline will be running high  by the time we get onto the Grand Union Canal.

 

As before, once on the river, it’s new ground (water) for Ellis and as such, Capt. E. has no experience or ‘insider knowledge’ in regards mooring spots.    The popularity of the navigation for ‘continuous moorers’, anecdotally suggests finding somewhere to tie up each day will be  interesting!

 

With that in mind, the entire trip will very much be an adventure for both crew and guests alike.  Roughly speaking, we’ll need to cover around 4 hours chugging each day in order to reach Hemel Hempstead by mid afternoon on our final full day – some days will be longer than others if necessary for water/fuel and refuse stops and we may end up double breasting against other boats.  It’s all part of the fun.

 

As usual, we’ll expect guests to come aboard around  1.30pm on day 1 and when we’ve  had a glass of something fizzy – (not to forget the introductory blah blah) we might cast off and hope for a mooring a mile or so closer to Teddington (Trowlock Island perhaps) OR alternatively, decide to spend our first night moored at Kingston Bridge.

 

Once under way, we’ll be at the mercy of tide times so we need to be flexible until the tidal section is done with – after which time, Capt. E. will breathe a sigh of relief and get back on to ‘canal time’.  As has been the norm for this year, we’ll make it up as we go along so don’t be surprised if we end up tied to another boat if mooring spaces are in short supply.

 

 

Hopefully there’ll be opportunity to visit a few pubs and explore various towns and villages along the way… we’ll pass through/by:  Twickentham, Richmond, Isleworth, (transit journey no stops),  Brentford, Norwood Green, North Hyde, Hayestown, Yiewsley – possible Segway up the Slough arm and back if time allows, Uxbridge, Harefield, Abbots Langley and Kings Langley before we arrive in Hemel Hemptstead where guests will depart after breakfast on our final morning.