Tuesday 23rd June 2009

A very sunny start to the day and after filling up with water etc, we followed "JoanieM" out of the Limehouse Basin down the Limehouse cut to join the River Lee.

Taking on water at Limehouse

Basin before we set off up the Lee

"Joanie'M "our travelling companions boat

A view of Lottie's place of work from Bow Locks

We waved goodbye to Lee on the DLR and to Lottie on the 26th floor of the Barclays building.

No not a nice lawn! This was the weed on theLimehouse Cut

The Limehouse cut and the beginning of the River Lee was a bit of a shock as it was like ploughing through pea green soupIt was slow progress as we were picking up weed and plastic bags on our prop.

Another view of Bow Locks

usementWe passed by Bow Locks which connect the River Lee to the Thames, much to Tom's am.

We also passed by Three Mills at Bow which date from the 18th century.

Three Mills note the Oast House

style ventilation towers

We also saw the new Olympic Stadium being built in preparation for the 2012 games.

Evidently the canals are being used to transport some of the building materials. Although there was lots of activity on land, there was nothing happening on the river when we passed.

Two views of the Olympic Stadium

Jeanette and Chris the Lock Girls

Jeanette and I opted to do the locks today, as we had read that most of them are electrified. We hadn't bargained for how hard some of them were to operate, and struggled to follow the instructions on some of them. It is so much easier if there are two boats going through to share the work and we managed to have lots of fun, while the men were clearing the weed hatch and chatting at each lock.

Peter waiting to lock

As we progressed up the River, the water became much clearer and the scenery was much more picturesque. We stopped for lunch briefly and then continued on our way until we reached Waltham Abbey. By this time it was 1800hrs and we found a nice towpath mooring. Pete and Jeanette decided to carry on as they have arranged to meet a relative further up the river.

Some of the prettier views on the River Lee

It was the hottest day we have had on our trip so far this year. It was great to see so many people out enjoying themselves and in good spirits.