16-18 September up the River Lee

Saturday 16 September up the River Lee Navigation to the Lee Valley White Water Centre above Waltham Town Lock (13 miles, 8 locks)

Today was another cloudy day with sunny intervals and brief showers. We had been warned that the banks were lined with boats 12 miles up to the M25, and near London this was true. There were lots of floral displays at houses bordering the river, as well as areas with warehousing and industry. Most of the wide locks (spaced every mile or so) were paired, with the right hand one powered, going upstream. Alfie's (aka Pickett's) Lock was manual and the left hand side was powered at Ponders End Lock. High banks hid the miles of reservoirs which supply 10% of London's water. Unusually, we passed lots of boats moving, although nearly all were youngish couples on residential boats who may have been changing mooring on a Saturday. These boats usually have different paraphernalia on the roof to touring boats.

Once past the North Circular Road at Edmonton, moored boats reduced a lot. The remaining miles were pleasant enough, with more reservoirs hidden to the East, while redeveloping industrial sites and housing were to the West. Some lock gates were open when we arrived – whether due to idleness, bad balance or wind, we were not sure. We took our time and chatted to folk we passed or shared locks with.

Ascending Waltham Town Lock, we could hear loud music over the hedge, which turned out to be the Lee Valley White Water Centre, 200 yards away! Mooring by an entrance, we popped in to watch daughter Jo have a long practice session on the Legacy course, the easier of two courses built for the 2012 Olympics – and our Olympic team are here this weekend! A fry up and Match Of The Day finished the day.

Sunday 17 September at Lee Valley White Water Centre

Liana and Annie at the Lee Valley White Water Centre

We spent the day with Jo and Mark, watching Jo practise, then have two runs on the Legacy Slalom course. We all enjoyed the 2017 National Slalom competitions for men and women, including national champions and our Olympic paddlers.

Monday 18 September up the River Lee to Stanstead St Margarets (8 miles, 5 locks)

Today was cloudy, occasionally sunny, with slow, difficult manual locks, with gates usually left open by the last users, which seems to be normal here. The river is fairly wide and much moe rural now. Showers, some heavy, meant wet weather gear and umbrella at times.

2490 92 We passed various craft and followed a huge widebeam trip boat from Broxbourne to Dobbs Weir Lock. 2494 The Fish and Eel pub above this lock looked welcoming, with moorings: Maybe on the way back? Some locks have water points at the lockside, which means watering boats occupy the lock landing and use long hoses.

Feilde's Lock

2495 96

leaving Feilde's Lock at confluence of the River Lee (left) with the River Stort (right)

At Feilde's Lock, we used the Elsan and water point (littered with rubbish bags by boaters, sadly) below the lock, before passing the River Stort confluence and stopping in torrential rain at Stanstead St Margarets. 2498