myText = new Array("We've joined the Grand Union Canal at Norton Junction.\nOur first encounter is the 2,042 yd. long Braunston Tunnel. Not only has this got an 'S' bend but we've encountered two boats coming the other way.", "This is Braunston Turn.\nBraunston is THE canal boating activity centre. The picture shows the junction of the Grand Union Canal, lower left and right and the Oxford Canal, upper right.", "All of the original narrow locks between Napton Junction and to near Birmingham were replaced with wide ones in the 1930's. Here can be seen the original narrow lock on the left and the broad lock on the right.", "We have some fond memories of our first canal boat trip. One of these is visiting Leamington Spa. We've stopped at the same place.", "This part of the Grand Union Canal was constructed by the Grand Junction Canal Co. The aim was to shorten the existing route from Birmingham to London. One of geographic features to cross was the Avon Valley. To do this it was necessary to construct 46 locks. We've now completed the 23 down and here we are on the aqueduct that crosses over the River Avon.", "The 23 eastern locks, the ones we've come down, are spread out over 8 miles. The 23 western ones, here are the first two, take up a mere 2½ miles.", "The remaining 21, the Hatton Flight, known to the canal boater as the 21 steps to heaven, take up just 1½ miles. This is Hatton Bottom Lock.", "At first they are a little spread out...", "... and there is the occasional bend...", "... and then six come altogether. This is the classic view of the Hatton Flight.", "These are the final four.", "Relief at last at Hatton Top Lock. We've climbed nearly 161 feet and it has taken 3 hours.", "It's the following morning and it's raining.", "These are Knowle Locks. Although not quite as impressive as Hatton the five here make quite a sight.", "Approaching Birmingham.", "The environs gradually change to ever more industrial. As an illustration we have chosen the modern, a 'Waste to Energy' plant.", "Bordesley Junction.\nStraight ahead is the Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. The Grand Union Canal continues under the bridge on the right. This is where we are going.", "This Birmingham landmark, the Saltley Gas Works, was made famous during the 1970s miners strike when they were secondary picketed. At the time I was working in nearby Nechells.", "The Grand Union Canal ends at Salford Junction right underneath Junction 6 on the M6, otherwise known as Spaghetti Junction. The canal is in the foreground, the road above the concrete pillars is the M6 and if you look carefully at the bottom between the pillars you can see the river.", "More of the M6. Next time you travel this bit of motorway you might like to think about what's keeping you above the ground.", "This is a view of Salford Junction. The signpost can just about be seen to the right of the second pillar. Straight ahead is the Tame Valley Canal, the bend on the left between the two pillars is the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal route towards Birmingham City Centre while to the right continuing where the fence is is the start of the route towards Fazeley. This is where we are headed.", "Now it's 2003 and this is Braunston Turn having arrived from the Oxford Canal.", "Our overnight mooring at the eastern portal of Braunston Tunnel.", "Passing Norton Junction.", "The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne at the southern end of Blisworth Tunnel. There are a set of pictures of this tunnel under 'Along the cut, Tunnels' or select 'Blisworth Tunnel' from the 2003 drop down box", "James taking a break in Cosgrove.", "The Buckingham Arm, not at present navigable, starts here just above Cosgrove lock", "Fenny Stratford is where the planned new canal link from Milton Keynes to Bedford will join the Grand Union Canal.", "Southbury Locks, there are three, from the top. We have now started the long climb up to the summit of the Chiltern Hills at Tring. 'Two Jays' is on the left hand side in the middle lock.", "At the start of the Aylesbury Arm. This is the top lock of a two lock staircase. In the foreground can be seen the winding mechanism for the middle gate paddles. A very unusual place to find this.", "The Aylesbury Arm goes through some very remote countryside. Some stretches are very overgrown. The bull rushes get in the water. They caused us several problems on the way - jamming lock gates and getting round the propeller.", "Our mooring in Aylesbury.", "After Roger and Pam left we moved 'Two Jays' through one lock and moored at the Tesco's visitor moorings. Tesco's can be seen through the trees on the right.", "The following morning we did the shopping!", "Then it was back to the main line at Marsworth Junction, a climb through 15 locks in 6 miles.", "To resume the climb up to Tring Summit, the last 7 locks.", "All these locks plus the others going down again need lots of water. Here is one of the Tring receivers that supply this. Each boat that traverses the summit uses 200,000 gallons of water!", "On the summit level going through Tring cutting.", "Cowroast Lock, the first one going down again. 'Two Jays' is filling up at the water point. There are 58 locks to the Thames at Limehouse.", "As well as water from the reservoirs some is saved by back pumping as here at Northchurch Lock.", "We are descending the locks in Hemel Hempstead. The building is the home of Kodak", "Another landmark, perhaps you may think a bit unusual, is B&Q's. It is significant because it was here that last year we were planning to have 'Two Jays' craned in.", "It was quite a shock to see the Ovaltine factory in Kings Langley derelict. It brought back memories for James of when he went on a works visit from Harrow Tech in 1966 as part of his accountancy course", "The canal skirts around the west of Watford through Cassiobury Park and its associated woodland. These are Cassiobury Park Locks.", "Moored in Cassiobury Park just below Iron Bridge Lock. The lock can just be seen through the bridge arch.", "Bank Holiday activity at the miniature railway station in Cassiobury Park.", "Going down the Colne Valley at Widewater Lock.", "Denham Deep Lock at 11' 1\" is one of the deepest in the country.", "The canal side scene at Cowley Lock. There will be no more locks until we get to Camden, 27 miles away.", "This is the Slough Arm at Cowley Paachey Junction.", "We collected this on our bow somewhere in the West Drayton/Hayes area. We were alerted to its presence by a group of fishermen.", "Bulls Bridge Junction.\nStraight ahead through the bridge is west and central London, where we are going. To the right is down the Hanwell flight to Brentford.", "Arrived at Greenford.\nWe have completed 30 miles and 11 locks in 9½ hours. The gentleman standing next to Janice is John Fowler. He joined us for the day at Cassiobury Park to enable us to get here in one day.", "Crossing the North Circular Road aqueduct.", "The aqueduct at canal level.", "Passing by Kensal Green Cemetery.", "Along beside the Harrow Road, yes it is a no. 18 bus.", "The Halfpenny Steps, now replaced by a modern bridge, in North Kensington.", "Entering the Grand Union Canal from the Oxford Canal at Napton Junction.", "Descending Stockton Locks. You may recall from last year's photos that there are 23 locks down to the Avon Valley in Warwick.", "Moored at Long Itchington. 'Two Jays' is the second boat on the left. Long Itchington Bottom Lock is in the background.", "Crossing the River Avon.", "Budbrooke Junction.\nWe've been down Saltisford Arm.\nUnder the bridge is the Grand Union Canal going east and south towards London. To the left is the Grand Union Canal going west and north towards Birmingham.", "Waiting at Hatton Bottom Lock for another boat to join us. The one at the front on the left stopped for a short lunch break and then did join us.", "Hatton Bottom Lock all set up to start the 21 lock, 146' 6\" climb.\nIf you wish to share this journey with us there are pictures taken, one for each lock, under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Hatton Locks' from the '2003' drop down box.", "A pause on the way up. Another of those classic views.", "Hatton Top Lock and the end of the climb. It is nearly 3½ hours later. We've had several passersby assist at various times but seen only one other boat, a group of girl guides. They were only going down the top 4 locks before going back again.", "Waiting at Shrewley Tunnel for a boat to come out. The tunnel is wide enough for two boats to pass but only 433 yards long. So it's considerate to wait.", "Kingswood Junction. The Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham is straight ahead. Under the bridge is the Lapworth Link leading to the Stratford-on-Avon Canal.", "Joining the Grand Union Canal at Braunston Turn we meet a canoe.", "Braunston is a canal mecca. This boat has diesel for sale.", "There are many 'gongoozlers (those who watch canal boats from the canal bank) as we pass along.", "Braunston Marina is home to several boat businesses.", "There follows the six Braunston Locks, a rise of 35' 6\". This season's first wide locks.", "There then follows Braunston Tunnel. To see pictures of this see under 'Along the cut, Tunnels' or select 'Braunston Tunnel' from the '2004' drop down box.", "At Norton we are turning left to join the Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal, see signpost pointer. The canal seen curving to the right is the main line route to the south.", "Back at Braunston Top Lock. This time going down.", "Another view of the canal activity at Braunston showing some of the many boats", "Once more at Braunston Turn. We're not heading for either bridge. These lead on to the Grand Union Canal. We're going to bear round to the right on to the Oxford Canal.", "'Two Jays' can be seen moored on the canal with part of Braunston Marina in the background.", "Whilst moored at Braunston the air ambulance was called to attend to a lady on another boat. It landed and, here, took off from the field directly opposite to us.", "Entering Braunston Bottom Lock.", "Almost at the end of Braunston Tunnel.", "We met David and nb Jennoria at Napton Junction. The two boats wait for one of the Buckby Locks to be filled.", "These signs are pinned to trees beside the towpath between Whilton and Weedon.", "The Northampton Arm leaves the main line at Gayton Junction. To see these pictures select 'Northampton Arm'.", "This year is the 200th anniversary of the opening of Blisworth Tunnel and as we pass preparations are well in hand for the celebration weekend on 17-19 June. The IWA boat, Jubilee, has arrived. The board on its roof reads, 'The Inland Waterways Association, Campaigning for Waterways, They're still here because of us'. BW have set up reserved moorings for visiting boats indicated by towpath notices.", "The Buckingham Arm connection is in Cosgrove. It was built in the 1790's with Buckingham finally being reached in 1801. It was closed in stages and finally being officially abandoned in 1964. Today only a very short stretch is still in water used for private moorings. The continuation is clearly visible for quite a distance. The towpath, though a bit overgrown in places, remains a footpath.", "Leighton Lock had been closed up to the day before we arrive for emergency repair work. We discover that overnight one of the boats being used has been sunk, cordoned off on the left. All that can be seen is part of the pump that is on the top of their sunken boat. ?inset is another of the pumps that has been rescued by a crane.", "We begin the final ascent to cross the Chiltern Hills at Marsworth Bottom Lock.", "Just beyond Marsworth Top Lock at the summit level is Bulbourne Junction where the Wendover Arm starts.", "The workshops at Bulbourne now no longer used by BW are the home of an ironworks company.", "Most of the approx. 4 mile long Tring Summit is a wooded cutting. The cutting itself is 2½ miles long and 30' deep.", "The descent to the River Thames begins at Cowroast Lock. The name is from 'Cow Rest' from the time when there were cattle pens in the area used by drovers on their way to London.", "One of the more unusual canalside sights is this totem pole in Bewrkhamstead.", "Winkwell Swing Bridge was originally made of wood and was operated by turning a large wheel. It was mechanised in the mid 1980's.", "The Ovaltine Factory in Kings Langley is looking even sadder than the last time.", "This picturesque scene is at Iron Bridge Lock on the edge of Cassiobury Park.", "This busy scene is at Batchworth Lock, the one on the right. On the left is Chess Lock constructed in 1805 to make the River Chess navigable.", "We stop to shop at Tesco's in Rickmansworth. It was built on Frogmoor Wharf. This was the site of the boatyard of W H Walker & Brothers Ltd. founded in 1905.", "We have descended Denham Deep Lock. With a fall of 11' 1\" it is the deepest on the canal.", "Today there is very little commercial traffic on the canals. One that does exist is transporting gravel from Denham where there is a 300 meter long conveyor belt from the workings to the water's edge, see photo top left, to a processing plant at West Drayton. Here the boats are unloaded using a grab, see photo top right. Two boats are used in this operation. We meet them both at Uxbridge Lock. The photo, bottom left, is the 43 tonne one, its going down fully laden. The photo, bottom right, is the 70 tonne one, it is coming up, but not empty as it is carrying water as ballast. All the parts of the operation are carried out by the one man crew taking 7¼ hours to complete and between them the boats move the equivalent of 15 lorry loads.", "The Slough Arm meets the main line at Cowley Peachy Junction. The meeting point is on the right between the boat and the bridge.", "One of the more unusual sights travelling through the London suburbs are a number of murals. The top three are all under bridges including Uxbridge Road, top and Western Avenue, third. The bottom mural is on a wall in North Kensington.", "The moored boats at Little Venice from under the bridge where the navigation become the Regents Canal.", "The Northampton Arm leaves the main line at Gayton Junction.", "It is approx. 5 miles long with 17 locks.", "Lock 1 is at the top of the Rothersthorpe flight of 13 locks. There are pictures of these under 'Along the Cut, Locks' or select 'Rotherthorpe LOcks' from the '2005' drop down box.", "The flight is accompanied by the A43.", "The M1 crosses the canal between locks 12 and 13. The location is junction 15A. There are good views of the locks from the A43 slip roads.", "There are several draw (lift) bridges to negotiate.", "As the canal approaches Northampton the River Nene appears.", "Four more locks complete the journey. At lock 17, the last one, with the Carlsberg Brewery in the background, there are welcome signs.", "Below the lock is the River Nene.", "Having completed our cruise of the Fenland waterways we are back at Lock 17 ...", "... and then back up the Rothersthorpe Flight to ...", "... the top lock and ...", "... Gayton Junction.", "The Arm's junction with the Main Line is at Bulbourne.", "When first planned it was as a feeder for the summit level of the main canal, however, it was soon realised for little extra expense a navigable channel could be constructed. Unfortunately, despite several attempts at a solution, it suffered from horrendous leakage and at one time was drawing water from the main line. It was finally closed in 1904. It is gradually being restored with today navigation is possible for 1½ miles to a full size winding hole opened in 2005", "After leaving the junction the route is tree lined.", "Water being fed from Tringford Reservoir.", "Gamnel Bridge.", "Heygates Mill", "The old winding hole when it would have been necessary to reverse in this direction to get beyond here.", "Tringford Pumping Station.", "Little Tring Stop Lock. This replaced the stop planks that had been installed to cut off the leaking part of the channel). This was the previous end of navigation.", "The section between the stop lock and the new winding hole.", "The winding hole and present end of navigation.", "The arm leaves the main line at Cowley Peachy Junction. The post indicates that the basin (the terminus in Slough) is 5 miles distant.", "Very close to the junction is a large marina.", "The arm was built in 1882 making it one of the three most modern canals. Being modern it is almost straight with cuttings, embankments and here one of several aqueducts. Its original purpose was to transport bricks from Slough, Langley and Iver to London. When the brick fields were exhausted sand and gravel became the main cargo to London and rubbish was sent back from London to in fill the old gravel pits. The trade ceased in the 1950's, lost to road transport.", "Despite its urban location the scene at Wexham Road Bridge could be a typical rural location.", "But this scene is deceptive as right next to the bridge is the large ICI Paints Division plant.", "Between Iver and Langley Highline Yachting have extensive on-line moorings.", "There are further mileposts along the route.", "This is the rather desolate basin at the end. In the background is Stoke Road. Inset our mooring viewed from behind.", "Leaving Bordesley Junction. Straight on, behind us, is the Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal whilst through the bridge on the right is the route to Salford.", "The canal climbs the 5 Camp Hill Locks.", "Beyond the top lock in Tysley we encounter a fishing competition.", "We descend Knowle Locks. These are the first wide locks we have encountered since leaving Worcester.", "Passing Kingswood Junction where there is a connection to the Stratford on Avon Canal.", "The towpath is also in a tunnel at the northern end of Shrewley Tunnel.", "The view from Hatton Top Lock with inset from left to right the lock keepers cottage, the former stables now Hatton Cafe and The White House, it's from here that British Waterways manage their water supply all over the country.", "The original narrow locks were replaced by the present wide ones in the early 1930's.", "The classic view looking down at part of the flight though today it's too misty to see the spires of Warwick.", "It's taken 3½ hours to clear the bottom lock with inset the lock keeper's cottage.", "Descending the 2 Cape Locks to reach the bottom of the valley and then ...", ".. cross the River Avon.", "The picturesque cutting that forms the entry into Leamington Spa is somewhat ruined by what's lurking in the water!. There are pictures of what to see in Leamington Spa under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'Leamington Spa' from the '2005' drop down box.", "Radford Bottom Locks marks the start of the climb back out of the Avon valley.", "The top 2 locks at Bascote are a staircase. There is a boat already in the top lock. We enter the bottom lock with our companion boat. When the water levels are equal we play a game of pass the boat. On completion the gates can be closed and the water levels can be changed.", "Climbing first Stockton Locks and ...", ".. then Calcutt Locks.", "Passing through Napton Junction. The route from Birmingham is under the bridge, straight on is the Southern Oxford Canal.", "Approaching Braunston and its prominent church.", "The busy scene below Braunston Bottom Lock.", "Starting the climb from the bottom lock.", "Looking up one of the ventilation shafts inside Braunston Tunnel.", "At Napton Junction the Leicester Section leaves on the left.", "Passing the double bridges that leave to the west as we travel go south.", "The stop house at Braunston.", "As usual Braunston is very busy and we have to breast up in order to visit Wharf House Narrowboats. We discover this boat won second prize at this year's Crick Boat Show.", "At Braunston Bottom Lock BW are painting the gates and balance beams.", "As we rise in one of the locks Janice takes the opportunity to set up the tunnel light.", "The eastern portal of Braunston Tunnel lit by the evening sun", "Passing Norton Junction. The Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal is on the right.", "This strange looking seat is at lock 8 on the Buckby Flight. It was designed by Helen Rod'e in the 1995 Ben Salisbury School Challenge.", "Exiting Wilton Bottom Lock. We shared the locks with the crew of a Gayton based Alvechurch boat. They were having a 5 day hire and had been as far as Napton Junction. It was their first time on the canals and they had apparently thoroughly enjoyed the experience.", "Travelling south there is a sharp bend just before bridge 47. This is the sight that greeted me as we came round the bend. A quick reverse avoided our coming together. The two boats were tied together.", "Janice disposing of our rubbish at the services at Gayton Junction.", "Almost at the end of Blisworth Tunnel.", "Beside the museum at Stoke Bruerne.", "We descend Stoke Bruerne Locks with a family from Iceland in their 'Weedon' hire boat.", "In the pound between locks 16 and 17 the canal seems to be filled with boats. This is because 3 boats have just shared lock 17 as we emerge from lock 16.", "The wall below bridge 54 has been decorated with mosaics created by local residents, school children and visitors to Stoke Bruerne. The detail of one of these is shown top right.", "We knew before we got there that the visitor moorings at Wolverton were closed. However, we had asked BW about access to the station and were assured there would not be a problem. The closure stops at the camera position where there are stairs to the road and from there to the station. We moored through the bridge on some piling.", "This railway foot tunnel in Wolverton is known locally as a 'cattle creep'. there are pictures of a walk around Wolverton including a visit to this tunnel under 'Along the cut', 'Places' or select 'Wolverton Walk' from the '2006' drop down box.", "Passing through the outskirts of Milton Keynes there are two signs, this is the one on bridge 82A, that mark the length where the proposed Milton Keynes to Bedford link will start.", "Entering Soulbury Bottom Lock.", "The Aylesbury Arm leaves the main line at Marsworth Junction. Being the highest part of the canal this is also the location of several reservoirs. As time permits there will be pictures of these.", "Climbing Marsworth locks we meet the Royal Bank of Scotland doing a timed descent as part of a team building exercise. There are pictures of these under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Marsworth Locks' from the 2006 drop down box.", "At the top of the flight is Bulbourne Junction where the Wendover Arm leaves the main line.", "The summit is traversed through the 3 mile long Tring Cutting.", "Exiting Cowroast Lock to start the long decent to Brentford.", "We are watched at the last of the 3 Northchurch Locks.", "Winkwell Swing Bridge.", "Going through Hemel Hempstead we are joined by another boat that is heading for Apsley Marina so when we get there the lift bridge is raised to allow the boat to enter.", "Passing the site of the Ovaltine factory in Kings Langley. When we came this way in 2003, see inset top left, the factory, though derelict, was still standing.", "The ever picturesque scene at Cassiobury Park Locks.", "Stopped below Batchworth Lock for the services.", "Descending Denham Deep Lock.", "At Denham a gravel barge is being loaded.", "We encounter the second gravel barge in West Drayton but not at the works. The helmsman has stopped to chat to another boater leaving his tug and barge across the canal blocking our way.", "Moored beside Tesco's at Bulls Bridge Junction. The Paddington Arm leaves the Main Line under the bridge.", "A green corridor through Southall's back door.", "Passing Adelaide Dock where we once investigated having 'Two Jays' craned in. It's no longer a boatyard but seemingly a BW boat store.", "The high wall of St. Bernard's Hospital founded in 1831 is beside Hanwell Locks. There are pictures of the flight under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Hanwell Locks' from the '2006' drop down box.", "Below Hanwell Bottom Lock the River Brent flows in.", "In Osterley we meet a team, one man on the bank other man in boat, measuring the river width.", "This office block on the A4 also has a river frontage,", "BW's office in Brentford Harbour.", "We share Brentford Gauging Lock with a hire boat from Oxfordshire Narrowboats. Both locks are electrically operated with a BW key. There is a tollhouse. Tolls were calculated by measuring (or gauging) a boat's height above the water line. It's 93 miles to Braunston and has taken us 16 days. According to the information panel it formerly took boats just 4 days to get to Birmingham, a further 44 miles.", "Exiting Thames Lock. The river is ahead and beyond that the wall of Kew Gardens.", "Approaching Thames Lock at Brentford.", "Ascending Brentford Gauging Lock.", "Passing Bulls Bridge Junction with, under the bridge, the Paddington Arm.", "Shackles Dock in Hayes.", "Cowley Locks marks the start of the ascent to Tring, the Chiltern Summit.", "Getting diesel at Uxbridge Boat Centre means tying up three boats out and the one nearest the bank had no engine room floor!", "Ascending Cassio Bridge Lock ...", "... through Winkwell Swing Bridge ...", "... around Hemel Hempstead ...", "... then Cowroast Lock, the last of the climb ...", "... and just after this to rescue a boat come adrift ...", "... and into Tring Cutting, the Chiltern Hills summit level.", "The descent starts just beyond Bulbourne Junction at Marsworth Top Lock.", "When we find a space on the visitor moorings beside Marsworth Reservoir we discover that the IWA narrowboat 'Jubilee', doing a country-wide publicity cruise to celebrate the organisation's 60th year, is due here on the following day.", "And here is Jubilee. Arriving on Friday but seemingly sailing past. She's turned round below the next lock and now can moor with her mid hatch bankside. This is a safety measure. Saturday is the main event and posters are put up around the area. The IWA and BW have got publicity stands in place.", "Views of one corner of Sartop's End Reservoir. One of four feeding water into the canal at the Tring Summit. The left hand picture was taken on 23rd June. By when the one on the right was taken on 9th August the water level has dropped remarkably.", "Another consequence of the lack of rain is the presence of blue green algae on both the canal and the reservoirs. Even though it forms naturally it is toxic and can cause a serious health hazard under certain conditions.", "Fenny Compton Lock is a lock that should not be. It was added in 1802 to solve the problem of maintaining the water levels in the long pound between Stoke Hammond and Cosgrove.", "Great Linford Manor moorings, a lovely spot on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.", "Having moored for the night in Cosgrove once again quite amazingly the IWA crew, this time the Milton Keynes Branch, moor Jubilee next to us. The crew tell us that there's no special event planned but on the following evening when the Buckingham Canal Society turn up to take over they tell us they have planned a celebration trip to Stoke Bruerne and back followed by a publicity event to publicise the Buckingham Canal restoration.", "As we approach Stoke Bruerne bottom lock a boat is just going in. We join with them to ascend the flight ...", "... to the special canal side scene at the top lock.", "This time through Blisworth Tunnel we meet no boats and the journey takes just 35 minutes.", "We start the Whilton/Buckby Flight with two other boats and go to the top together.", "At Norton Junction we turn right on to the Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal.", "Having shared the route from Braunston Turn the Grand Union Canal turns north at Napton Junction where we join from the Oxford Canal.", "One of the features of this part of the canal is the distinctive paddle gear of the wide locks constructed in the 1930s replacing the narrow ones. Going north Calcutt Top Lock is the first of these.", "More marina capacity being created at and around Norton Junction.", "Descending Stockton Locks with a Valley Cruises hire boat. The couple on board have hired this for 10 weeks.", "At the bottom of the Avon Valley the canal crosses both the river and the Leamington to Birmingham railway line.", "The climb back up starts at the bottom of the two Cape Locks.", "Hatton Bottom Lock", "We are doing the locks on our own. However, one of the crew from the two boats behind who turned up while we were waiting in the bottom lock comes up to help us for the first few locks.", "The halfway point with 10 locks done and 11 locks left.", "Leaving the top lock. It's taken 3¼ hours.", "Daylight at the end of the 433 yd. Shrewley Tunnel.", "Kingswood Junction where under the bridge on the left is Lapworth Link leading to the Stratford on Avon Canal.", "Ascending Knowle Locks between locks 48 & 49. There are pictures of the whole ascent under 'Along the Cut/Locks' or use select 'Knowle Locks' from the '2007' drop down box.", "The winding hole at Henwood where we turn round.", "At Henwood Bridge.", "We share the descent of Knowle Locks. The crew are a man, his 3 children and their 3 friends. They are very efficient in setting up and operating the locks. A great relief as most have to be filled.", "Passing through Shrewley Tunnel,", "There's work in progress on the Hatton Flight at Lock 40.", "A new towpath is being constructed here and in other places the towpath is being re-surfaced.", "We are sharing the descent with nb Sirius.", "We turn back in Leamington Spa using the winding hole past bridge 38.", "Heading back to Leamington Spa town centre.", "There are two aqueducts between Leamington Spa and Warwick. Travelling west the first one is over the railway line and ...", "... the second is over the River Avon.", "As we approach Budbrooke Junction we thought we'd met up with a boat to share Hatton Locks with. Then it started to turn so we thought it wanted to come through the bridge. But it was neither of these but was a pair of hotel boats, motor and butty, tied together turning right around to head back along Saltisford Arm.", "We ascend the Hatton Locks on our own. There are a few boats descending so we only have to empty one of the 21 locks.", "Heading out of Shrewley Tunnel.", "Kingswood Junction where the Stratford on Avon Canal has a connection.", "Kingswood Junction where our day that started on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal continues.", "Sun beams at the entrance to Shrewley Tunnel.", "At Hatton Top Lock we have met up with the crew who have hired the Canal Cruising Company narrowboat 'The Great Escape'. This is the boat that was behind us in Brandwood Tunnel and also followed us down some of Lapworth Locks. Our friend John has also come to help us.", "It's a glorious day and for once the spires of Warwick can be seen from the flight.", "It has taken only 2¼ hours to get to the bottom lock. A record for us.", "We stopped after completing Hatton Locks for lunch with John. After this we left John to go back up to the top where he had parked his car and we continued on our own through Cape Locks.", "We continue through Warwick and Leamington Spa and then start the climb back out of the Avon Valley at Radford Bottom Lock. We have to stop here to clear the propeller. As we are about to leave another boat arrives at the bottom.", "So we wait for them at the next lock and do this and the next 9 including ...", "... the Bascote staircase together. It's 6:16 when we finally stop for the day near Long Itchington.", "The following day there are 13 more locks to negotiate on this canal. This time we are on our own. Passing Stockton Top Lock cottage there are now only 3 locks to go.", "At Napton Junction we are going to turn right to head along the southern part of the Oxford Canal.", "Approaching Thames Lock.", "At 6.6 metres today's tide was high but we still easily fit through Brentford High Street bridge.", "We share Brentford Gauging Lock with nb Pilgrim. We have accompanied them all the way from Teddington Lock. Unfortunately when we try to use one of the locks we find that the top paddles won't open. so we have to reverse out and use the other lock.", "Sunday morning, 6th April we wake up to a covering of snow.", "Undeterred we set off to find even more at the first lock.", "However, we are not alone.", "Stopped at Bulls Bridge for lunch, water and Tesco's.", "The following day Derek and Thelma came to see us and we had lunch together in the Coy and Carp, a canalside pub/restaurant in Harefield. Very good.", "At Red Lion Lock, to the south of Apsley we meet a group of teenagers limbering up. They have walked from Milton Keynes and are returning by canoe. We meet them again with their canoes at Fishery Lock about 2 miles on.", "The locks in and around Berkhampsted have these anti-vandal locks fitted. Quite a surprise!", "Cowroast Lock and we have climbed to the top of the Chilterns.", "Marsworth Top Lock is the start of the descent.", "When we get to Wolverton we are astounded at the transformation taking places beside the station. See inset for the same scene just 2 years previously. It\'s a £50 million development by \'Places for People\' of 300 apartments, duplexes and town houses.", "Our first sight of the river Ouse is from the Ouse Aqueduct near Cosgrove.", "The picturesque sight at Stoke Bruerne Top Lock.", "A boat enters as we approach the end of Blisworth Tunnel.", "Moored opposite Blisworth Marina.", "Looking back at Gayton Junction where, in the left, is the Northampton Arm.", "Passing Weedon Wharf.", "We are sharing Buckby Locks which is especially helpful as most of the bottom gates are particularly difficult to close.", "Norton Junction where the Leicester Section leaves.", "We pass 5 boats inside Braunston Tunnel before getting to the end.", "The visitor moorings have been suspended at Braunston for the annual Historic Boat Rally. Nevertheless we have moored, with the warden's permission as we have a letter to collect from the Post Office. However, at about 6:30 pm, the Canal Trust arrive with this motor and butty and demand our space. It's all sorted when we are able to breast up with another boat.", "At Braunston Junction we head east to ...", "... Napton Junction.", "Approaching Gayton Junction where the arm leaves the main line, on the left", "Having past Gayton Marina, one of Alvechurch Boat\'s bases, the canal is a peaceful scene of little activity", "This soon changes with the start of the Rothersthorpe Flight of 13 locks.", "Descending the locks.", "There are bridge works in progress on the access road to the south bound M1. The towpath here is closed so I have taken a ride to access the following lock.", "We encounter a large pallet below the bottom lock. Janice exits carefully to nudge it aside.", "By now a lad has come cycling up the towpath and has volunteered to assist us through the remaining locks. Having helped close the gates of lock 13 he is here rescuing the pallet from the water.", "Further down the arm the canal runs alongside the, as yet unnavigable, River Nene. The A43 here crosses both waterways.", "Our assistant has indeed come all the way to the last lock, no. 17.", "Below the lock is the River Nene.", "Entering Northampton Lock means we are leaving the River Nene.", "One of the Northampton landmarks is the Express Lifts test tower.", "Starting out on the Rothersthorpe Flight at 11:15.", "Two hours and 13 locks later we are at the top.", "The arm ends at Gayton Junction.", "We are just leaving Kingswood Junction where, under the bridge, is the Stratford on Avon Canal.", "Entering Shrewley Tunnel.", "We are rewarded for waiting at Hatton Top Lock for 35 mines. when nb Jubilee comes along so we can share the work. This picture was taken at 10:38.", "Looking up the flight from lock 36.", "We've completed all 21 locks. The time is 13:11.", "At the bottom of the Avon Valley there are two aqueducts, first the one over the river ...", "... followed by the railway.", "At the Bascote Staircase Locks we are going up on our own but two boats are coming down. We exchange places when the water level is equal in both of the locks.", "It is raining quite hard as we set off at the first of the 10 Stockton Locks.", "We are sharing Calcutt Bottom Lock with an Alvechurch boat.", "At Napton Junction we are going to turn right on to the southern Oxford Canal.", "Below Camp Hill Bottom Lock is Bordesley Junction. We have come from straight on from the Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. The Grand Union continues under the bridge on the right.", "At the suggestion of a BW lengthsman we met on the Ashted Locks we turn in to the basin at Camp Hill Top Lock for an overnight mooring.", "Descending Knowle Locks.", "Just past Black Boy Cruising Club nb Kingfisher has come adrift and been blown across the canal. I am on my way to assist in a rescue.", "Kingswood Junction. Through the bridge is the access to the Stratford on Avon Canal.", "It's quite busy at the 433 yd Shrewley Tunnel. Inside the tunnel there are two boats behind us and one approaches as we exit.", "We have joined nb Grebe, a Willow Wren hire boat cruising the Warwickshire Ring, as we start the descent of the 21 Hatton Locks.", "Descending the locks with the classic view of locks 37 to 42 in the background.", "After 2½ hours at the bottom lock we have descended 146\' 6\".", "The following day we share Cape Locks with nb. Estrella", "A beautiful August morning at Radford Bottom Lock.", "Moving between the 2 locks of the Bascote Staircase. We are accompanied by a Kate Boats hire boat.", "Once through the lock we discover that the next pound is very low. We are told this is due to one of the paddles on the Bascote Locks being left open the previous evening.", "Rising in Stockton Top Lock. The 9 locks have taken us 50 mins.", "At Calcutt Top Lock we have been joined by a boat that has just left Calcutt Boats. A staff member is showing a crew member how to work the paddle. The other person is from a boat waiting to go down. He looks none too pleased at being delayed. Meanwhile I point out that none of the other paddle gears the crew will meet on their way to Banbury will be like this one!", "At Napton Junction where the canal meets the Oxford Canal we are turning left. The two canals share the next 5 miles.", "A view of the church at Braunston.", "At Braunston Turn the two canals part company. The Grand Union continues to the right where nb Swallow is going. We are going to the left to join the northern Oxford Canal.", "We have just joined the canal at Norton Junction from the Leicester Section. The junction signpost can be seen on the left.", "The crew of nb Dancing Bunny have waited for us to join them at Buckby Top Lock.", "A shopping stop in Weedon. The mooring is on the offside on a high embankment. The steps leading down can be seen on the right and, inset left top, the view of the steps from the bottom.", "We have just completed the 3057 yd. Blisworth Tunnel. It was extremely wet in places. We didn't meet another boat. We have stopped for a tea/coffee break.", "Waiting for Stoke Bruerne Top Lock to fill. A Lithuanian family are very interested in what is going on.", "At Lock 17 we have caught up with nb Augusta. They were behind us in the tunnel and went on ahead to the locks where they joined another boat. However, this boat has now joined up with one that was ahead of them and the crew from Augusta waited for us to catch up.", "Just above Cosgrove Lock is the start of the arm that once went to Buckingham. It was opened in 1801 and finally abandoned in 1964. The Buckinghamshire Canal Society founded in January 1992 with the aim of achieving full restoration.", "The Iron Trunk Aqueduct carries the canal over the River Ouse. As time permits there will be more pictures of this under 'Along the cut, Aqueducts'.", "We have the swing bridge at Fenny Stratford Lock done for us.", "Stoke Hammond Lock marks the start of the final climb to the Chiltern Summit.", "nb Lafter, owned by the Royal Navy, joins us at Soulbury Bottom Lock.", "Disappointingly for us they turn round after the second lock having got to the halfway point of their weeks holiday from Napton.", "Cruising between the Ivenhoe Locks with the Chiltern Hills in the back ground.", "One of our favourite mooring places is beside Marsworth Reservoir.", "The top lock at Marsworth marks the summit level, It's also the junction with the Wendover Arm.", "At the summit level is Tring Cutting.", "The descent starts at Cowroast Lock.", "Nb Solomon joined us today at Apsley Bottom Lock (Lock 67) and we travel with them through 8 locks to moor up together by The Grove Bridge. During this time they try to access the Two Jays website on an iPhone but have a problem. Here we are discussing this while one of the locks empties. The problem appears to be an iPhone issue.", "We are about to exit Batchworth Lock but have a problem. We want to stop at the services while the 32 boats who are moored there want to go in to the lock. Iy yuakes a little bit of manoeuvring to achieve this.", "We are involved in a boat rescue at Coppermill Lock. Primrose III has come up the lock and attempted to turn around in front of the weir. They are dragged by the current on to the lock side wall. We first tried to pull them off upstream but this does not work. We succeed by pulling them backwards in to the lock.", "Descending Denham Deep Lock. With a drop of 11' 1\" it is one of the deepest on the system.", "The Slough Arm at Cowley Peachey Junction.", "Bulls Bridge Junction where we leave the main line to enter the Paddington Arm, through the bridge on the left.", "The Paddington Arm at Bulls Bridge.", "For some miles the surroundings are quite green.", "In Greenford we have met up and had lunch with Adrian, Rachel and Elissa and Derek and Thelma.", "A shopping stop at Sainsburys in Alperton.", "The North Circular Road Aqueduct, road level view.", "The Castle PH in Acton.", "In North Kensington multi occupancy housing is the canalscape.", "Little Venice marks the end of the Arm.", "Joining the Arm at Little Venice.", "There are quite a number of wall based art works to admire. This one is near Harrow Road Bridge.", "Another one under a bridge in Westbourne Park.", "Crossing the North Circular Road aqueduct, the canal level view.", "It's the day of the Championship Play-Off Final and a group of Cardiff City fans have gathered at The Pleasure Boat pub in Alperton. For some reason we are greeted with cheers and chanting.", "The Black Prince moorings which we used for our meeting with the Littles are now suspended due to towpath renewal works.", "More artwork this time under the A40, Western Avenue and ...", "... also the Uxbridge Road.", "Bulls Bridge Junction where the Arm joins the main line.", "Setting off from Bulls Bridge Junction.", "An industrial site in Hayes has been replaced by a housing corporation development.", "Heading towards ~West Drayton industry and offices are hidden behind the trees.", "The unloading facility of the gravel works in West Drayton have been refurbished. There's no activity today as it is Saturday.", "Another industrial site development this one in Yiewsley.", "Cowley Peachey Junction where the Slough Arm leaves.", "It's Monday morning and the gravel barges are on the move. We meet our first one below Cowley Lock and ...", "... there's another one waiting above the lock.", "Unsurprisingly then that when we get to the gravel loading conveyor it's clear.", "We stop in Harefield Marina for diesel.", "In Batchworth a school party is having a day out on the canal. There are several different activities including a boat trip. This group is assisting at the lock.", "Due to a paddle left open overnight the pound between the 2 Apsley Locks is low.", "Nb Glenfield is joining us at Winkwell Lock. We spend the best part of the day together ...", "... going through 11 locks together to Gas 1 Lock.", "After a day of heavy rain on the following morning Bushes Lock and several more are overflowing both the bottom and top gates.", "At the summit at Cowroast Lock. We have been sharing with nb Ten Bob Note.", "At Bulbourne Junction where, under the bridge on the left is the start of the Wendover Arm.", "Descending Marsworth Locks. We are on our own, however, it's been busy in the opposite direction.", "Moored once again beside Marsworth Reservoir. It's pleasant enough to sit on the very convenient seat.", "Approaching Marsworth Junction where the Aylesbury Arm leaves on the left.", "Negotiating the swing bridge in Great Seabrook in company with nb Great Britain an ex Canal Carrying Company hire boat.", "Passing the Wyvern Shipping Company hire boat base in Linslade.", "We get some help at Leighton Lock.", "In Old Linslade a fisherman has just made a catch as we pass by.", "Descending Soulbury Three Locks.", "A sign on a bridge in Milton Keynes.", "Another of our favourite moorings places on the Grand Union Canal. This one is in Great Linford, Milton Keynes.", "This unusual sign guards the Kingfisher marina moorings in Yardley Gobion.", "We are ascending Stoke Bruerne Locks, this is Lock 17, in the company of nb Kittywake, a Gayton Marina Alvechurch hire boat.", "It's the Friday of the Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend and there are boats moored in every available space, sometimes 2 or 3 abreast, all the way from the top lock to here, the southern portal of Blisworth Tunnel.", "Inside Blisworth Tunnel. It takes us 39 minutes to complete and we meet 2 boats. This is us passing the second boat. The lights are, from left to right, 2 lights on the boat about to pass us, the end of the tunnel, our tunnel light shining on the tunnel wall.", "Gayton Junction where, on the right, the Northampton Branch leaves to join the River Nene in Northampton.", "Ascending Buckby Locks we meet lots of boats. Here we wait behind nb Silver Lining for two to boats exit lock 8.", "We had our boat Boat Safety Examination 'done' on the visitors moorings at Norton Junction.", "Passing Norton Junction where the Leicester Section leaves to head north to the River Trent.", "It takes us 29 minutes to pass through the 2.04 yd long Braunston Tunnel passing 4 boats.", "As a result of our Boat Safety inspection there are 2 jobs that need doing which we get done in Braunston.", "At Braunston Junction we bear left through the junction bridge. The northern part of the Oxford Canal goes off to the right.", "At Napton Junction we turn right going underneath this bridge continuing along the Grand Union Canal. Straight ahead is the continuation of the Oxford Canal to the south.", "Entering Calcutt Top Lock the start of the descent to Warwick. Note the 1930's paddle gear.", "Descending Stockton Locks.", "Approaching Bascote Top Lock.", "At Welsh Road Lock someone has left a supply of free rhubarb. We helped ourselves to 4 sticks.", "Radford Bottom Lock marks the bottom of the descent in to the Avon Valley, 23 locks in 9 miles.", "Approaching Cape Bottom Lock means we are about to start the climb out of the Avon Valley. We are about to share these 2 locks with nb Hawk Owl a Gayton Marina based Alvechurch hire boat. The crew have reached the halfway point of their weeks holiday.", "It's 8:30 in the morning and nb allesverloren are joinging us in Hatton Bottom Lock having arranged this on the previous evening.", "The view of part of the flight taken from lock 35.", "We meet a few boats coming down. Things get quite complicated in the short pound between locks 41 and 42. We meet no-one else after this and reach the top just after 12 noon.", "Shrewley Tunnel is only 433 yds long.", "After we have moored up Janice is out cleaning the windows in very bright sunlight.", "Turning in to the Arm from the main line at Cowley Peachey Junction.", "Being relatively modern it has long straight sections. For most of the way it is pleasantly tree-lined.", "There are several aqueducts. This one crosses the River Colne.", "We go as far as just beyond bridge 9 partly due to the amount of weed we encounter and partly due to being told that the going to the end is very shallow.", "While turning we collect this on our propeller.", "A view of the weed. The worst bit is by the High Line moorings.", "Packet Boat Marina is on the Arm just before Cowley Peachey Junction.", "Turning in to the Arm at Bulbourne Junction", "Most of the way is tree lines with many bends.", "Gammel Bridge.", "The original winding point before the navigation was extended in 2004.", "Tringford Pumping Station.", "Towards the end the view, on the top of the Chiltern Hills, are more open though the bends continue.", "Our overnight mooring is at the absolute end of the navigable canal. In front of our bow ...", "... the dry canal bed.", "Behind us is the winding point.", "On our way back we meet a boat. It's quite a squeeze in the narrow channel.", "Back at Bulbourne Junction.", "Just after entering the Arm at Marsworth Junction Two Jays waits for Lock 1 to fill.", "All the locks on the Arm are narrow ones. Locks 1 & 2 are a staircase. Two Jays is in the top lock (Lock 1) which is being emptied filling the bottom lock (Lock 2).", "The scene here, below lock 4, Black Jack's Lock, is typical with longish straight sections through tree lined countryside.", "The scene at lock 8 is just the same. Nine of the 16 locks are in the first of the 6 miles.", "Lock 15 is in Aylesbury but the urban surroundings are hidden behind lines of trees.", "Turning in the winding hole which is almost at the end. The boats belong to the Aylesbury Canal Society members.", "The Canal Society has a 'Welcome Boat' and they do make you very welcome.", "Moored at the very end. The building is an HM Inspector of Taxes office. Immediately beyond this is the Aylesbury Inner Ring Road.", "Rising in lock 16 and so starting the climb back to Marsworth.", "Today we meet quite a few boats on the move including nb Cornmill. We shared locks with them between Harefield and Rickmansworth.", "Leaving lock 1 to join the main line at Marsworth Junction.") myPix = new Array("_01","_02","_03","_04","_05","_06","_07","_08","_09","_10","_11","_12","_13","_14","_15","_16","_17","_18","_19","_20","_21","_22","_23","_24","_25","_26","_27","_28","_29","_30","_31","_32","_33","_34","_35","_36","_37","_38","_39","_40","_41","_42","_43","_44","_45","_46","_47","_48","_49","_50","_51","_52","_53","_54","_55","_56","_57","_58","_59","_60","_61","_62","_63","_64","_65","_87","_88","_89","_90","_66","_67","_68","_69","_70","_71","_72","_73","_74","_75","_76","_77","_78","_79","_80","_81","_107","_82","_101","_119","_102","_106","_103","_104","_105","_120","_121","_122","_123","_124","_125","_126","_127","_128","_129","_130","_83","_84","_85","_86","_91","_92","_93","_94","_95","_96","_98","_99","_100","_108","_109","_110","_111","_112","_113","_114","_115","_116","_117","_118","_131","_132","_133","_134","_135","_136","_137","_138","_139","_140","_141","_142","_143","_144","_145","_146","_147","_148","_149","_150","_151","_152","_153","_154","_155","_156","_157","_158","_159","_160","_161","_162","_163","_164","_165","_166","_167","_168","_169","_170","_171","_172","_173","_174","_175","_176","_177","_178","_179","_180","_181","_182","_183","_184","_185","_186","_187","_188","_189","_190","_191","_192","_193","_194","_195","_196","_197","_198","_199","_200","_201","_202","_203","_204","_205","_206","_207","_208","_209","_210","_211","_212","_213","_214","_215","_216","_217","_218","_219","_220","_221","_222","_223","_224","_225","_226","_227","_228","_229","_230","_231","_232","_233","_234","_235","_236","_237","_238","_239","_240","_241","_242","_243","_244","_245","_246","_247","_248","_249","_250","_251","_252","_253","_254","_255","_256","_257","_258","_259","_260","_261","_262","_263","_264","_265","_266","_267","_268","_269","_270","_271","_272","_273","_274","_275","_276","_277","_278","_279","_280","_281","_282","_283","_284","_285","_286","_302","_303","_304","_305","_306","_307","_308","_309","_287","_288","_289","_290","_291","_292","_293","_294","_295","_296","_297","_298","_299","_300","_301","_309","_310","_311","_312","_313","_314","_315","_316","_317","_318","_319","_320","_321","_322","_323","_324","_325","_326","_327","_328","_329","_330","_331","_332","_333","_334","_335","_336","_337","_338","_339","_340","_341","_342","_343","_344","_345","_346","_347","_348","_349","_350","_351","_352","_353","_354","_355","_356","_357","_358","_359","_360","_361","_362","_363","_364","_365","_366","_367","_368","_369","_370","_371","_372","_373","_374","_375","_376","_377","_378","_379","_380","_381","_382","_383","_391","_392","_393","_394","_395","_396","_397","_398","_399","_400","_401","_413","_414","_415","_427","_428","_429","_430","_431","_432","_433","_434","_435","_436","_437","_438","_439","_440","_441","_442","_443","_444","_445","_446","_447","_448","_449","_450","_451","_452","_453","_454","_455","_456","_384","_385","_386","_387","_388","_389","_390","_402","_403","_404","_405","_406","_407","_408","_409","_410","_411","_412","_416","_417","_418","_419","_420","_421","_423","_422","_424","_425","_426")