MAY on the River Stort and Lea

The month of May has been busy but not in the way the family expected it to be.  Our adventure to the Kennet and Avon has, once again, been delayed by illness:  Mazey has had a lipoma removed (benign tumour) and Pete had a very painful rash (shingles..... nasty)!!

Despite all of this I have been moved from Roydon Marina to Waltham Abbey Town Lock and back to Broxbourne.  Then back again to Waltham Abbey Town lock before heading to Hertford.  Seen lots of ducklings, goslings, signets and baby coots.  Susan has been frustrated but happy trying to get that perfect shot!!!  Pete and Mazey have been resting.

I have been surrounded by many children having fun on boats, canoeists, cyclists, walkers, many dogs, cats and a few unusual people.  A couple stepped onto the back of me for that perfect photo; others have knocked on my hull and asked Pete "If they could be shown around the boat".......  to which Pete replied "NO.  Would you knock on someones home and ask to do so?"  The men wandered off.  I have experienced a few crashes - rowers losing control.

The Vetas Toilet switch decided to burn out.  Which meant that one of the flushes would not work and then one night they were woken up by the toilet constantly flushing.  Pete was able to get another one delivered to his friend Tim in Bishop's Stortford.  You will be pleased to know that this has been fitted, by Pete, successfully.  Susan was both pleased and amazed.

Susan has seen wonderful sights on the river: swans carrying their young on their backs.  Unfortunately, Susan did not have her camera to hand at the time.  Both Susan and Pete has tried to rescue baby coots from a lock and from the river current...  they have very large feet.

Mazey celebrated her 7th birthday on 24th May with more cuddles than usual.

Pete was happy to go to the model railway village at Mill Pond in Broxbourne whilst Susan and Mazey watched the many goslings.

Carthagena Lock is one of the prettiest with lots of flower baskets hanging across the lock as well as lots of flowers alongside the lock.

Carthagena Lock

A few local pubs and restaurants have been visited.  In particular, the Crown in Broxbourne; the Old Barge Inn (which has the fastest Wi-Fi according to Susan) and the White Horse (has lots of fruit flavoured wines which need to be tested) in Hertford.

The Old Barge Inn at Hertford

Dreamer - Hertford Lock

Hertford Lock

In Hertford the local resident association made us all feel very welcome.  Handed Pete a leaflet which outlined where everything was in the town.  Sainsbury's is a 5 minute walk from the towpath and Waitrose is only a 10 minute walk.  Very handy for the huge amount of shopping Susan and Pete purchased.

Susan says that the locks seemed to be getting harder to handle... especially Hertford, Ware and Waltham Abbey Town Locks both gates hard to move with one person.  Pete had to help Susan.

Hertford - End of the navigation