(30) Cowley - Willowtree Marina (4th June)



Location: - N51*31.269 W000*22.830 Mls - 7.5 Total Mls - 269.9  Locks - 1 Total Locks - 162  Bridges - 0 Total Bridges - 18 Left at 9:15 arrived at 12:30. Set off for Willowtree Marina (Derek had rung and booked mooring for night)  Met a man in first lock which seemed to take ages to fill, he had chat with Derek he moored at Harefield where NewtonMere moored ( boat shared with yesterday) he had come from Paddington Basin so gave Derek bits of gen. We went in lock and another boat came along to share it with us, they were a realy farty pair, she was sour faced and dashing about and he was very cautious, so we wanted to get through as quick as possible, opened gates and turned to see him climbing on top of boat pushing it off side with pole ???  what that was about is anybodies guess.   Long stretch now to the supermarket and Willowtree, we didnt pass many boats as we thought we would as its Saturday but passed more weird and wonderful crafts, floating sheds and the ultimate (a caravan on a float ???  ) I had a bit of a drive and managed not to bump into anything but let Derek moor up at the supermarket, the turning to Willowtree was through Bulls Bridge, opposite the supermarket.  Did shop and reversed and turned into the bridge, passed more strange crafts, one a sailing  boat with massive mast and more sheds.  There were kids in canoes on the water just before what seemed to be a very small bridge into Willowtree, we got through it ok and moored in front of the Quayside Bistro , a young man was waiting for us and filled us in on procedures at the marina.  We did some washing of towels and things that didnt need ironing and gave the boat a spruce up on the inside, the outside needs a wash but we had audience sat in front of Bistro so leave it till Paddington Basin.  Had tea at pub and we have tele so could watch all my favourite  things.  We have booked mooring for Limehouse on monday evening.