Broxbourne

We had planned to travel some distance up the River Stort, possible to the limit of navigation, but reviewing our future plans away from the boat we decided that turning around on the Thursday was a good idea. On reflection it was the best decision we could have made, but it did mean that we failed to experience perhaps the most delightful of the sections of the Lee and Stort Navigations. We travelled upstream as far as Little Harlow experiencing some lovely meadows and delightful mills on route.

Hunsdon Mead Nature Reserve

Near Hunsdon Mill

Parndon Mill

At Harlow we passed a great climbing and adventure facility close by the lock. Many school groups were making use of the facilities and enjoying the good weather.

We eventually turned above Burnt Mill by the Moorhen Inn close to Harlow railway station and headed back downriver. 

Fish & Eels in Hoddeson

Our return downriver was enjoyable despite the feeling that we were on our way home because the weather was warm and sunny. At Roydon Lock we found the lock-side house great for provisions - gas, kindling, diesel and an ice cream. We could have even taken on water but we did that at Harlow.

Roydon Lock

We turned back onto the River Lee and headed south to Broxbourne where we had a good mooring right outside The Crown. On a warm summers evening we could resist trying it out, so after a walk into town for shopping we went in for an evening meal. The service was shambolic. They missed our starters completely and ending up giving us free desserts. Even the beer took time to arrive and they were not busy. It didn't, however, spoil a great days boating. 

Roydon

We've not posted for some time, for good reason, and this is my first attempt at catching up. The reason for the delay was initially quite simple, we ran out of data on our mobile internet account but then we had some boating difficulties which things more difficult - but more of that in later posts.

Delightful cottages at Enfield - Government Row

We left Enfield and travelled north on Wednesday June 9th. Warm and sunny it was ideal weather for boating. However, we did manage to leave behind our keys in the electric paddle mechanism at Enfield Lock. Because the next lock was not far away, and we realised quite quickly, it meant only a short walk back to retrieve them.

Scenes from the River Lee Navigation

We eventually made Fielde's Weir Lock in the afternoon and turned off the Lee onto the River Stort. It was immediately a different navigation with narrower locks (13 ft) and much more winding. 

First River Stort Lock

Lockside Cottage near Roydon Mill Lock with the symbol of Sir George Duckett

We made Roydon by late afternoon and moored up just after the very low bridges (about 6ft air draft) where the road and railway cross the canal. 

Creeping under the first low bridge at Roydon (the next is lower)

Just after the bridge is the home mooring of the former GJCC inspection launch Kingfisher that was for many years kept at Kingfisher Marina - our home mooring. 

Kingfisher on her new home moorings at Roydon

That night we went for a walk around Roydon's large marina. It is based around the mill - the River Stort is charactersised by mills

Roydon Mill

Moored up by the meadows at Roydon