21st Rickmansworth Canal Festival

Saturday May 17th, 2014

With food and drinks packed, the girls strapped in to the battlewagon and cameras charged, we left the house at 10:00 and headed down the Ebury Way towards Rickmansworth.

[caption id="attachment_1389" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is blossom lying on top of the still flooded Croxley Common Moor.[/caption]

We reached Lock 80, also known as Lot mead, at around 10:45 and dropped down on to the Grand Union Canal towpath, which we followed to Lock 81, at Batchworth Lock, where we met my mum and uncle Martin.

On the south bank of the Grand Union Canal, in front of the Little Union Canal model canal system, believed to be the only one of its kind in the country, a Side of Phoenix Morris Dancers were entertaining the crowds.

[caption id="attachment_1390" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A Side of Phoenix Morris Dancers entertain the crowds.[/caption]

We then made a donation to the festival organisers and followed the towpath, under Bridge 173, to where narrowboats of varying size and colour were berthed, sometimes three-or-four deep. Each of them had polished their brass and metal fixings, while the paint jobs had been touched-up, making them positively vibrant in the morning sun.

[caption id="attachment_1385" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The narrowboats, some of which had travelled hundreds of miles, berthed on the Grand Union Canal/[/caption]

With Erin walking along the towpath, while Keilyn stayed safe in the battlewagon, my mum and Martin kept themselves busy looking at the various wares that were for sale, speaking to the boat owners, taking photos and just generally immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the waterways. Meanwhile, kids played about in their canoes/kayaks.

[caption id="attachment_1392" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kids mess about in canoes/kayaks.[/caption]

With lunch time approaching we headed in to the Aquadrome, so that we could find a spot to feed the girls, while my mum spoke to the owner of the Raymond. We found a spot by a Green Goddess Fire Engine, where Erin tucked in to her lunch, under the watchful eye of Keilyn, who was still tired from her day at nursery.

[caption id="attachment_1386" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erin tucks in to her cheese and crackers.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1387" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Keilyn keeps an eye on Erin's lunch.[/caption]

All the time, Erin kept an eye-out for nannie.

[caption id="attachment_1388" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erin keeps an eye-out for nannie.[/caption]

Eventually, my mum caught up with us before we all set off to explore the craft stalls and the environment fair. While my mum and Martin took in the stalls we continued at a faster pace, in order to get Keilyn to sleep, which worked... Eventually

Wit Keilyn finally asleep,  we headed towards the beer tent ,where we found my mum and Martin, and stopped for a well deserved drink; Coke for Emma and a pint of Greene King's Abbot Ale for me. Erin was busy, playing with bubbles, that we had been given while touring the environment fair, when she spotted the big helium balloons, so I purchased her a Peppa Pig one. I then spotted Jason, his mum and his son Charlie who decided to join our little group. So, another round was purchased and eagerly consumed. While we waited for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Spitfire to make its appearance, we talked and listened to the various bands, that took to the main stage.

[caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Spitfire prepares to 'attack' the crowds.[/caption]

At exactly 14:16 the Spitfire, flown by Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, the only aircrew member permanently serving on the Flight, buzzed the cheering crowds, in a two-minute display of attack runs and banking manoeuvres.

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Spitfire flies directly overhead.[/caption]

With this highlight out-of-the-way, we headed towards the funfair, so that Erin and Charlie could go on some rides. Their first ride was on the Tea Cups, which was quickly followed by a ride on the Roller Coaster.

[caption id="attachment_1391" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erin and Charlie take to the Roller Coaster.[/caption]

With time ticking by, we decided it was a good time to head home, so that we could get the girls back and calmed down, before Emma went to work. We arrived home just after 17:00 and busily got the girls changed and fed, before Emma got herself ready. The fresh air must have really taken its toll, on the girls, as they were both asleep by 19:30.

After uploading some photos, to Google+, and some videos, to You Tube, I made a bite to eat, before turning in for the night myself.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire - Video

Erin and Charlie on the Tea Cups and the Roller Coaster - Video

Yet again the Rickmansworth Canal Festival was a brilliant success, made even more special by our family and friends who enjoyed the day with us.

Roll on May 16th, 2015.

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust

The Ebury Way

Watford is 21miles (33km) from the centre of London, with the M1 and M25 close by. Watford Junction Station offers fast trains and London Overground trains that can get you to London Euston in 18 minutes and 47 minutes, respectively. The Metropolitan Line can get you to Aldgate in 64 minutes. Both of these stations are within walking distance of my house, and with the Croxley Rail Link due to open in the next few years, there will be a new station within 5 minutes walk of my house.

 

You would think that living in West Watford, I would be surrounded by urban blight, and to some extent I am. But, I am also surrounded by some wonderful countryside and open green spaces. Very close to my house I have access to the Ebury Way which is a pedestrian route that follows the route of the old Watford & Rickmansworth Railway. The Watford & Rickmansworth Railway was a three mile branch line, that opened in 1862. In 1927 the line was electrified but, with more passengers using the Metropolitan Line, the line closed in 1951. Now the 4 mile (6km) route can be walked or cycled from Oxhey Park, Watford to Rickmansworth.

 

If you begin your walk from Oxhey Park, you follow the River Colne to Riverside Park, where you join National Cycle Route 61. As you head along the Ebury Way, you will see the Lairage Land Nature Reserve, on your right-hand side. The Lairage Land comprises a group of meadows, rough grassland, plantation woodland and scrub, the river Colne, and its margins, and reedbed. There are many types of plant, bird and wildlife species to be found here, including; Yellow water lily, Musk thistle, Green woodpecker, Great-spotted woodpecker, Grey wagtail, Reed warbler, Linnet, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Cuckoos can also be heard each spring. Gatekeeper, Smaller Skipper & Red Admiral butterflies, among others. Dragonflies and both species of Pipistrelle and Noctule, can also be seen here. Moving along, you soon cross the River Colne via an old railway bridge. On your left-hand side you will see the Electricity Transmission Station and the fields of Oxhey Hall and Oxhey Cottage. Roughlyy 300 metres from the bridge, along the edge of the river Colne, you can just make out a Type 27 variant WWII Pillbox. On the opposite side of the Colne is Brightwells Farm. Continuing your journey, the path begins to rise up slightly as you come to the entrance to Brightwells Farm. The path then drops down again and you pass Brightwells Farm fields to your left and Holywell Fields to your right. A littlle further along and you can see Old Merchant Taylor's School and, in the distance, you can just see Moor Park Mansion. You will then pass under Tolpits Lane, and pass the National Lottery HQ, Watford's Royal Mail sorting office and other industrial units. To your right you will see Croxley Common Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.Croxley Common Moor Nature Reserve is 100 acres of historic grassland, that cover the River Gade's flood plain. Many rare plants and animals have been recorded on this site, including; Water Voles, Red Kites, Red Backed Shrike, Burnet Moth, Purging Flax, Large Thyme, Heath & Lady's Bedstraw, among others. As you reach the end of Croxley Common Moor, you pass under a bridge that carries the Metropolitan and Chiltern Line trains to and from London. From here the Ebury Way is a tree-lined route surrounded by natiral beauty. On your right is the continuation of the River Gade flood plain and to your left are the first of the fishing lakes, known as The Alders. You then come to a bridge that crosses the Grand Union Canal. To your right is Lock 81 and Lot Mead Lock House. From this bridge you have three choices; Continue along the Ebury Way. Follow the Grand Union Canal Towpath to Rickmansworth and beyond, or follow the Grand Union Canal Towpath to Watford and beyond. Following the Ebury Way you will see The Alders Fishing Lakes to your left and Croxley Hall Farm and Fishing Lakes, to your right. Behind Croxley Hall Farm is Croxley Great Barn. Croxley Great Barn is one of the largest of its type, in Hertfordshire. It was built sometime between 1396 and 1401 and measures 101ft by 40ft (31m by 12m). You then continue along until you cross another railway bridge, which crosses the Narrow-boat Permanent Mooring area, which is the end of the Ebury Way.

 

If you then follow the footpath alongside the Permanent Mooring area, you will come to Batchworth Lock Centre and the Cafe @ Lock 81, where refreshments can be purchased. From here you can follow the Grand Union Canal Towpath towards Watford or head South along the Grand Union Canal Towpath, which will lead you into Rickmansworth Aquadrome and onto Stocker's Lake, Stocker's Lock and the World Famous Stocker's Farm. Stocker's Farm has been used in many film and TVshows, including; The Adventures of Black Beauty, Withnail & I, Ashes to Ashes, Children of Men, Midsomer Murders & Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, to name but a few.

 

If you do take the Ebury Way, I would love to hear what you think of it.