Farewell Bourne End Moorings

Friday 31st March 2017

And we’re off!

11055 on the hour counter, 13:50 on the sundial and 15 degrees (ish) on the thermometer. We left our Bourne End mooring for the last time heading for pastures new.

The blossom, particularly Magnolia and Camelia is superb this year. Boating past back gardens means we have had a lovely display, set off by swathes of Daffodils and Primroses.

We have cruised through Berko many times – since the 1970s ! ! ! – today we arrived. The aim was to dine on Fish and Chips from the chippie at the train station. We chose to walk the long way round in order to see a little of this historic town. History is written in it’s buildings. Our first stop was a diversion, away from the town centre. Go under the railway bridge and you come to Berkhampstead Castle, hailing from 1066 & all that. It has a very early canal connection, the moats was big enough to house many narrowboats and the Black Prince was a visitor. Or is that hunger talking? If you need a nice walk or have crew with too much energy – go visit! You could even take a football with you.

Then into the town and back via the station to pick up excellent Fish and Chips. Add a tin of mushy peas and a pickled onion and dinner for two is served. Once eaten, back down the towpath to the Rising Sun to wash it all down – especially as they have a beer festival all weekend. They are one of those rare pubs that give a 50p discount on production of a valid CAMRA membership card – excellent. The beer selection was good, the cider selection extensive, there was free nibbles and the clientelle many and lively. We left quite quickly as they turned the Muzac level up too loud people had to shout to converse, – not conducive to an enjoyable evening. The more shouting and the louder the music became until it reached an un-pleasant level. Shame, as there were a couple more beers we’d like to have tried.

As we left the pub there was a very bold Heron sat on the lockgates right outside who appeared to be happy to pose for photos.

Brenda