Yiewsley tesco

Today's Canals - Slough Arm, Grand Union Main Line

Slightly slower start today but nevertheless we were away by half past ten. Christine had a follow up consultation yesterday afternoon and was advised to acquire a neck soft collar (thin Mrs Tishell!). We found a way of ordering one for delivery to an Amazon Locker, to be collected before end of Saturday but she was keen to get one as soon as possible. After we set off she phoned ahead to chemists in Marlborough and although Boots did not stock them they directed her to a nearby pharmacy (actually on our normal route) which they thought might be help. A further call to them and, yes they did have one in stock. This meant that we only had the briefest of delays to our journey and arrived at High Line earlier than predicted at 11:47.

It is a long walk along the moorings to where our boat has stayed (15 - 20 mins) and we planned to unload the car after moving the boat up to the main wharf. However, we had quite a bit of chilled and frozen food and the day was warming up nicely. So, we used a trolley to take that along the towpath as we walked to the boat and stowed in fridge or freezer as soon as we could.

Of course, the boat was facing towards Slough so the first task was to cruise along to the next winding hole, about 15 minutes each way. By the time we reached the wharf, two boats were moored up alongside each other which meant we had to moor alongside as well. Then, we had to carry our boxes over both of their sterns - a bit tricky but we managed without dropping anything into the canal!

By the time we had done all that, parked the car and set up the laptop (to log our journeys) it was well past lunch time but Mike insisted on food before setting off! Consequently it was almost 3 pm when we finally cast off.

The trip along the remainder of the Slough Arm was slow but nothing like as bad as we had been told it might be. Alas, the camera needed charging so only one photo of the boatyard today.

At Cowley Peachey, the junction with the Main Line, we turned to face northwards as that is where we are heading on our way - eventually - back to Droitwich for the winter. However, first we needed to stock up at tesco, about 200m south of the junction. We carefully reversed - the canal is quite wide so not as difficult as in some places.

We had originally planned to go a bit northwards after the shopping was done but as that was now five o'clock we stayed put until tomorrow.

4.4 Miles - 0 Locks