Tuesday 22nd July

Another glorious day and hopefully the last one of doing many wide locks. 8 today and we are now beyond Uxbridge and nearly at Cowley Lock looking forward to the 15 mile pound to Paddington Basin. A couple of the locks had been left open for us and one had a volunteer lock keeper so we made good progress stopping for shopping, lunch and to buy gas and diesel.

A monkey hanging from a derelict cement factory.

Some houses could have been on Grand Designs.

The canal is very quiet. Apparently last year the volunteer averaged 28 boats a day. This year it is about 12. We just need some luck tomorrow as we try to moor in Paddington Basin.

Even in this Urban location there are some pretty lock keepers cottages.

At 11'1" Denham lock is the deepest on the Grand Union.

Is this really a paddle narrow boat?

Just after Uxbridge Lock the office blocks have started. Not unattractive and the water is very clear here.