Narrowboat AREandARE

From the 2009 & 2010 tantalising tales, traumas and stunning photographs of Barry (photographer) and Sandra (writer) from New Zealand aboard NB 'Northern Pride', to the stories of their 2013 return journey, purchase of 'AREandARE', progress on sustaining their live aboard continuous cruiser lifestyle, and Barry's quest to gain residency and 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' in UK ...

Sunday 17 October 2010

Leaving the boys to it along the Lea

We spent the night in Leighton Buzzard yesterday, now moving on up to Milton Keynes ...

Friday 17 September

After surviving last night's shenanigans unscathed, this morning we ventured out to Tottenham Hale to get some cash out for Barry and Tom's weekend pocket money, then I got the tube to Euston and then the train to Lichfield, then Four Oaks, north east of Birmingham. 

Barry and Tom then continued up the River Lea with Pete ...

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 Stonebridge Lock, the first of six locks today and Tom in action again

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Painting them bright colours doesn't disguise what they really are - but does improve their appearance slightly! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Moored working boats at Ponders End Locks

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They obviously like to make it comfy for the wildlife around here - brings back memories of Blackburn!

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The boatyard before Enfield Lock, full of paraphernalia - hard to make an attractive photo out of this!

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The now derelict house beside Enfield Lock - 'Lee Conservancy 1889'

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 Leaving Enfield Lock and passing the quaint terraced houses adjoining the canal with lots of floating gardens moored along the bank

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If you want to see power pylons (and why would you?) this is the area to come to - they're everywhere

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 Pete operating this lock ...

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 ... and Tom working this one, sharing the day's load

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They then got a bit clever and started asking passing families to help!

After mooring up just past Waltham Town Lock, Tom and I had time to organise some dinner before a short walk into Waltham Abbey with Pete for a couple of drinks. After slightly more than a couple and a game of darts in one pub, we ended up in an after hours lock-in at another. I'm not sure what time we got back to the boat, but unsurprisingly it was in the wee small hours with all of us a little worse for wear.

... and meanwhile

Sandra arrived safely at her destination, got a bit dressed up and had a night out with her sisters, one of her nieces and lots of lovely friends at The Crown pub in Four Oaks.  After partaking of a few drinks, lots of catch up conversations and laughter, we were much more refined than the boys and left the pub just after closing time!

IMG_1495A Mandy, Kath, Vicky, Linda, Arlene, Sandra, Sarah, Kerry & Karen - Viv & Ray had been there too but sadly had left before the photo!

P1360566 Sunflower-looking daisies - dazzling

2 comments:

  1. Hi, we have been reading your Blog with interest for a while. Love the photos especially. Sorry to hear this might be your last cruise. Good luck in whatever the future holds for you.

    Barry & Sue
    nbadagio.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rudbeckia., the sunflower looking daissies.

    Sorry you have to go.

    ReplyDelete