Journal

Moving in…

We decided to leave the flat on 21 February, a week prior to the official deadline, which was a wise decision, the flat above was vacated early too and they started with the renovation straight away.

So, it’s official: we are bargees. The past week was a difficult one, physically and emotionally. The boat was moored up on Broadway Market and we could carry all our stuff from the Goldsmith’s Row flat to the boat. Antonios lent us his trailer, which made it a bit easier. Natascha was in an unstable mood and was afraid of what is going to come. The unknown, the lack of space, lack of amenities. Leaving the flat after 9 years was hard, she had her routines and old habits die hard. Though in this instance those habits, like doing the washing when you want, had to die immediately. From now on we relied on launderettes. We received a weekly veg box from Riverfold for some 7 years, this was now delivered to my friends place and we had to go there and pick it up. Putting on the central heating when it was cold? Gone. Instead we had a coal powered Morso stove.

The fact that we have to move the boat every 14 days didn’t make the situation easier.

And Natascha didn’t know how the cat will take it and kitty was very dear to her.

Lastly, when we wanted to use some water we realised that the tank was empty. We had to go to the water point at Victoria Park. Antonios’ boat was towed with ours, so we had to un-tow his first in order for us to manoeuvre out of the other moored boat. Natascha then had to pull Antonios’ boat back in. On top we were hoping nobody will come and double moor with him in the meantime… It all went well, apart from the cat having a nightmare because of the engine noise.

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Log

Lucio’s cruising tour with Quintessence

Summary

This is a trip of 2 miles, 3 furlongs and 3 locks from Marshgate Bridge No 15 to Mile End Lock No 9.

This will take 1 hour and 16 minutes.

From Marshgate Bridge No 15 travel southeast on the Lee and Stort Navigation (River Lee: commercial section) for 6¼ furlongs to Hertford Union Canal Junction, then travel southwest on the Grand Union Canal (Hertford Union Canal) for 1 mile, ¾ furlongs and 3 locks to Hertford Union Junction, then travel southeast on the Grand Union Canal (Regent’s Canal) for 3¾ furlongs to Mile End Lock No 9.

Route

Lee and Stort Navigation (River Lee: commercial section)
From Marshgate Bridge No 15 (B112) to:
Hertford Union Canal Junction

Junction of Hertford Union Canal and River Lee. Also known as Hertford Union Canal and Lee Navigation Junction
6¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Grand Union Canal (Hertford Union Canal)
From Hertford Union Canal Junction (Junction of Hertford Union Canal and River Lee. Also known as Hertford Union Canal and Lee Navigation Junction) to:
Hertford Union Bottom Lock No 3 [see navigational note 1 below]

Also known as Old Ford Lower Lock
1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Hertford Union Top Lock No 1 [see navigational note 2 below]

Also known as Old Ford Upper Lock, Homerton Footpath Lock

Having passed through Old Ford Three Locks.

2 furlongs, 2 locks
Hertford Union Junction

Junction of Regent’s and Hertford Union Canals. Also known as Hertford Union Canal and Regents Canal Junction
5½ furlongs, 1 lock
Grand Union Canal (Regent’s Canal)
From Hertford Union Junction (Junction of Regent’s and Hertford Union Canals. Also known as Hertford Union Canal and Regents Canal Junction) to:
Mile End Lock No 9 [see navigational note 3 below] 3¾ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 2 miles, 3 furlongs and 3 locks (not counting Mile End Lock No 9).

This is made up of 1 mile, 4¾ furlongs of broad canals; 6¼ furlongs of commercial waterways; 3 broad locks.

This will take 1 hour and 16 minutes.

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