Overnight at Denham and Whipsnade

This Friday we had arranged to have Rachael, Dan and granddaughter Brooke come to visit. They unfortunately dont drive so I did the 200 mile round trip to Ramsgate to collect them and all the equipment that goes with a baby.

Dan wasnt able to come back with us friday night due to commitments but was going to get the train to Victoria on Saturday. This threw our cruise plans into a little muddle as we had planned to head down to Tesco at Bulls Bridge to do our big shop then turn round and spend the night at Denham before running back to base Sunday afternoon.

It was quarter to 1 by the time we picked Dan up from Victoria and by the time we had prepared Lady Elgar for the off it was 2pm.

We chugged the 5 and a bit miles to Bulls Bridge without incident except collecting 2 fence panels and a five bar gate on our bow.

By the time we had finished shopping at Tesco it was now turned 5 o'clock and the prospect of getting to Denham in daylight was gone.

Rachael and Dan were keen to do some locks so we decided to carry on with our plans and set off for Denham. Laura was able to give the lock working instruction at Cowley lock in gathering gloom but by the time we reached Uxbridge lock we were reduced to tunnel lamp and the big 'Seek an Search' spotlamp.

There is something lovely about cruising at night when your tunnel light illuminates your route, and swings slowly with the turn of the boat like a battleships search light.

Denham Deep lock was navigated with extra care due to the darkness and then we had a clear run towards Harefield Marina where we would turn. We spotted a likely BBQ spot on our way past the country park away from any other boats and by 10pm had secured alongside and shut the engine down. Within a short time the BBQ was fired up and Dan had commenced trying to drown pieces of luncheon meat on a hook while pretending to try and catch fish.

It was a late night but we were all tucked up in our berths by 2am not to reappear again till 10 the next morning.

Sunday again was lovely, weatherwise, and following breakfast we fired up the Perkins and headed back for base.

Dan took to steering with ease and it wasnt long before I was happy to leave him alone at the tiller

All this excitement was obviously too much for Brooke who was able to sleep whenever and whever she wished...lucky girl

Rachael made sure Dan was kept in check by the use of the personal radio and made sure he was well and truly informed when it was his turn to keep Brooke amused.

There is always something interesting to see on the Uxbridge/Cowley level due to the collection of boats in that area. One of my favourites is this old wooden motor boat which appears to be in restoration. I particularly like the outside cooking facilities in the hold, you can just see the kettle sitting on the cooker.

Passing this large classroom widebeam was a challenge for Dan but we passed without incident and eventually arrived safe at Iver following a very pleasant 2 days indeed.

To top off Dans trip, he managed to land a fish off the moorings. It was lovely to have them stay and spend time with Brooke who at now 8mth old is already very much an individual.

Monday morning saw us all up at half 6 in the morning so that we could get Laura to Whipsnade Zoo. I had bought her a 'Be a Keeper for a day' experience for her birthday and the day had finally arrived. We dropped her off at the main gates for 8.40am and off she went to look after various animals at the Zoo.

She mucked out the rhino's and then fed them. Lions also came in for a feeding as did Giraffes and Elephants. She had to fly the Harris Hawk prior to the scheduled Bird show in the park but, the Hawk apparently got spooked by something and couldnt be recovered from the tree it had taken refuge in. By the time Rachael Dan Brooke and self arrived to watch the bird show, the keeper was still trying to entice the Hawk from the tree and failing, and, because it is a bird of prey, they had to cancel the bird show due to the obvious dangers to the display birds from the hawk.

We enjoyed our walk through the Zoo but Lauras day was by all accounts, fantastic...shes now looking for a job there