Retirement with No Problem

Bourne End Locks to Berkhamsted, Grand Union Canal, 2.5 miles 6 locks

I have some emails to reply to, but my internet connection has just been so awful the last few days, so apologies to those still waiting for a reply from me, I will try again tomorrow morning.. In fact I have already written this blog once this evening, not only could I not post it to the net, but my computer failed to save it for me too…  .  So here I am trying to write the blog again!

I was surprised to get an email all the way from Australia.  From Garry who is planning a similar retirement… G’morning Garry! .  You know when I write these blogs I am thinking that just the family are reading them.  I started doing this so that they could just click on this link in their favourites folder and know exactly where we were and that we were both well.  It saves them getting on the phone all the time checking.. one quick look and they can then get on with their busy lives knowing that we are just fine! .

So today we sauntered down to Berkhamsted, a couple of hours just. 

Pubs at every lock as we climbed to the centre of the town..

I am very surprised how quiet the Grand Union is.  In the last three days I can only recall one boat that we passed, or passed us while we were moored that were on the move.  I would have thought this canal would have been winter busy somehow.  Mind you I shouldn’t complain I suppose.. time enough for that in the Spring when the hire boat companies empty their fleets to the system!

Talking of hire boat companies… we are needing diesel within the next 10 days, and this morning I phoned the boatyards ahead to check the price.  Big differences, from 42p a ltr down to 37p.  Funnily enough the place we called in at on the way South was Willowbridge Marina back in mid December 2004, picking up our diesel at 36p… this time when I phoned they said 42p!!  Such a hype!  Cowroast Marina wasn’t bad at 40p, but we will be taking our diesel this time at the Wyvern Shipping Company…. just north of Tesco at Leighton Buzzard.  A huge hire fleet there, we counted 34 boats as we passed through last time.  They quoted 37p.. Needing 150 ltrs or more, it is worth shopping around at the moment..

Reading Granny Buttons tonight, I see Andrew has to dig deep this week for the red stuff “Ye gods, at 45p/litre it’s the most expensive red diesel I’ve yet bought!” says he.

Will take some pics of the refits tomorrow…… well at least when the internet doesn’t work, the camera never lets me down!