Finishing off the Grand Union

First of all I want to go back to Monday when, after we got into Brentford, it still being only 10.30, we decided to go on up the Grand Union to Bull's Bridge Junction as we hadn't done that stretch on the way down as we turned off on the Paddington Arm. We needed  wanted to be able to colour that in on the map too! Ian had already told the lock-keeper we would be back on Tuesday for the trip out to Teddington, so off we set.

This fellow waited while we worked through the lock before he flew off.

The guaging lock toll office at Brentford

Alongside the Hanwell flight is the old asylum site, now part of Ealing Hospital, the bricked up archway in the long wall was the entrance to a small dock in the asylum where coal was brought in and surplus fresh produce from the market gardens was taken to sell.

Cowslips beside the locks.

A coot's nest in a boat's fender. Hope they weren't going anywhere soon. You can just see a hatched baby's little red hed below her beak. It's a bit blurred, I was driving the boat as I took the photo!

Although still a bit cold it was a lovely afternoon. And after a quick shop at Tesco at Bull's Bridge, oh and a late lunch there, we turned around and made our way back. At the top of the Norwood locks we met up with Mark, who was walking back to Brentford along the towpath, and was interested in the locks and boats, so teamed up with Ian working the locks, we found him a windlass and he got stuck in, Ian going on ahead preparing locks and Mark letting Tacet down and closing up behind me.

He was so enjoying himself, you could tell from the smile on his face  as he crossed the gates, and wound the paddles, he was almost skipping down the the next lock.

A well deserved ride then a cuppa before he went home as Mum was cooking his dinner, we enjoyed his company, he was a great help and I think he had a great time too. Thanks Mark.

Now back to today, and we visited Hampton Court Palace this morning.

This amazingly grand old Tudor house which became one of Henry VIII's royal palaces. There is so much to see and we didn't see it all, but we did enjoy the State apartments, the tudor kitchens, a bit of the gardens but it was raining, and the maze.

We moved on this afternoon and are now at Weybridge just on the River Wey.

7miles, 2 locks.