View from a bridge looking north. All looks so nice when the snow first falls. 
Marsworth church.
Andt/Tina posing with 2 youngsters who have spent the day off school building a snowman beside their boat. 
Leah Andy/Tina`s rotty enjoying her first snow. 
Frosty spider web on a lock gate.
Bridgewater Boats now stands empty waiting for a decision to be made by the council as to what they will allow to be built here. In years gone by it was the start for many holiday boats.
This Totem pole stands in the grounds of some flats just before going under the bridge next to Berkhampstead Stn. Passing the next lock brings us into the town centre and moorings outside Waitrose with access to the high st. 
The old Town Hall dates to 1859 and is now a wine bar/restaurant. 
These Alms Houses were a guift of John Sayer and date back to 1684. The word GUIFT is just how it`s spelt on the inscription above the six houses. 
Spotted these Snowdrops at a lock in Berkhampstead. In recent weeks have seen so many bulbs pushing through the soil but i suppose it`s not surprising the mild winter we are having. Also the rainfall has not been that great so wouln`t mind guessing there might be some water shortages on parts of the system in the coming summer.
At Winkwell just on the edge of Hemel these 2 work boats came past and i filled my diesel tank and purchased 3 bags of coal. The coal will probably be the last for this winter as i burn a lot of logs and only use coal to keep the fire going overnight.
This pair, a motor & butty, the butty is un-powered and towed behind the motorised boat, are operated by Peter and his usual winter route is Leighton Buzzard down as far as Black Jacks lock. His number is 07984 900613 case any boaters out there need it. Diesel 49p.
The sad thing about stopping at Winkwell was i had my first experience of the yob culture in my water world. Some nice Bas.... person run a key down one side of the boat and deep enough not to be removed with polish or T Cut. But it won`t put me off, the good times through the last year more than compensate for this one act.
This is what is known locally as the "Magic Roundabout"or " Mickymouse Roundabout". It`s located near the town centre of Hemel Hempstead and consists of 6 mini-roundabouts around one large circle of grass. So as you drive into this maze you can turn either left or right un-like a normal roundabout that you navigate in a clockwise direction. Having lived not to far from here i have over the years used it many times and as long as you keep your wits about you it isn`t to bad.
The picture that was here i have deleted following Bob`s comment
I did think that perhaps a child old enough to surf websites would
be of an age to understand that animals do end up in the canal but maybe
Bob has youngsters and they were upset. Anyway it is deleted as i would not
want to upset any child.
Passing through one of the locks was this poor Muntjat deer. Being shy animals it is onlyocassionaly you spot one in the trees as you cruise, very sad to see one in this way.
The net has been raised and there off picking up speed as they enter Gd. Union Straight. 
After a very packed start the field opens up and leading is the favourite "QUACKY" closely followed by 100/1 outsider "DAFFY" 
And the winner is plucked out after hitting the net first. 
British Waterways head office in Watford. This certainly is quite something. From where i took the picture i was just half way across the car park and if you imagine this distance ALL round the building it gives some idea of the size of the plot of land involved.
And this is the view from the reception area, as you can see the offices surround a large pond that contains many koi carp. Bet some of you would like to work with a nice view like that rather than maybe just traffic passing your window.
As happens to all boaters at some time during the year it was time to re-new my licence and as i am at Watford it`s so much easier to take a walk to BW head office and collect my new licence discs in person.
The fee for my 58` narrowboat was £572.37, this figure being the prompt payment amount. To gain this prompt payment discount, in my case £63.60, the licence must be obtained before expiry date of the old licence. Be nice if the government done this with car tax.
Last year i paid £547.20 so this years figure represented a 4.6% increase.
That wind sure did bring some trees down. Walking around the lakes all that could be seen were trees some quite big just snapped off as if they were matchsticks.
The old gates being cut up. Hopefully they will leave some for boaters fires. 
This is the scene 1/2 mile ahead of us. Batchworth Lock is having new bottom gates fitted but hopefully this work will be completed by Friday evening. The new gates are the open ones nearest camera and weigh in at 3 ton each and made of oak. They were last re-newed 30 years ago although they have had some maintenance during that time. 
The Dinette in day mode room for 4 people to dine. The seat nearest the camera has 2 drawers fitted but unlike the other seat has no back rest. The idea of this is that people can sit facing into the saloon. Below the other seat is a lift up lid giving access to a large storage area ideal for bedding plus much more.
The table has been lifted out the leg folded under it and the table then rests on 2 supports between the 2 seats to create a double bed, ideal for visitors.
This is the Moorings at Brentford. Guaging Locks to the left. Residential moorings on the right. On the left is the BW office and the facilities building. The building contains washing machines, tumble dryers, toilets, showers, elsan & rubbish disposal. All in prestine condition and available to boaters using the BW key. There are also 2 electric hook ups outside the office. I am moored up on the left breasted up.
After passing through the Guaging Locks and passing under Brentford High St you are at Thames Lock. On going through this lock you are soon out on the Thames that can be seen in the distance under the bridge.
The Guaging locks today. Gone the days of cargoes being moved from Thames Barge to Narrowboat. Now just Narrowboats coming and going via Old Father Thames to perhaps the Kennet & Avon or maybe the South Oxford Canals. 
A boat being Guaged. Took a pic of this exhibit in the Toll Office that has been preserved and is only open now and again mainly for schools but the lovely lady in the BW office opened up for me. 
Speakers corner started in 1872 Home to the Hyde Park Natters. They can say almost what they want with the exceptions of Blasphemy, Obcenity or anything likely to lead to a breach of peace. The latter covers a wide spectrum.
This cheeky fella came running along the railings every time someone walked by. I saw someone hand feeding it peanuts so i suppose he now associates people with food.
Horseriding is very popular in the park. Just to the right is the busy Park Lane and left 350 acres of park. Get into the middle of the park and you wouldn`t think you were so near the hustle and bustle of london traffic.
just the place to walk your Ferrett 
All along Bayswater Road that runs alongside the park from Marble Arch artists hang their art on the railings to form an outdoor sales gallery. Some i thought very good but some.....well i suppose it was modern art. Still we can`t all like the same thing can we. 
Looking back to the Basin entrance from our mooring.
Looking towards the end of the basin from our mooring.
A view of the basin from the end of navigation, Praed St and Edgeware Road are just 300 yds behind me as i take this pic. 
One of several fancy bridges crossing the basin. 
Marble Arch stands at the jct. of Edgeware Road & Oxford Street. It was at one time an entrance to the Hyde park but road layout alterations have now left it as an island, London traffic hurrying past on all sides.
Serpentine lake fits nicely into the 350acres of Hyde Park and provides pleasure to visitors with row boat hire, lakeside restaurants and an abundance of wildlife. 
The solar powered trip boat that will take visitors around serpentine lake in Hyde Park. On the roof of the glass cabin are are 27 curved glass solar panels creating an output of over 2kw. The power is stored below decks in batteries from which the electric motor powers the propellers. 
Caraboat?
The Nestle` factory 
Autumn changes the view and at such a slow pace more time to enjoy it. 
From the Aquaduct, check out that traffic behind me. 
Stopped on the Aquaduct over the North Circular Road in Nth West London 
The new Wharf at Willesden 
Here we are moored in Paddington Basin, just 5mins walk to the station and 15mins to Marble Arch and Oxford St. 
