Buddy's first cruise

After 24 hours Buddy is completely at home on the boat and leaps on and off with no fuss or trepidation.  We just have to get him used to traffic and sudden loud noises. Last night we cruised from Ware to about 1/2 mile short of Hertford.  We kept him on his lead for a while but after 15 minutes he was quite happy to be free and look at the ducks and cows etc. We had to go through Ware lock which was Buddy’s first.  Here he is tied to a post - he has a special collar/muzzle on sometimes to stop him pulling; he was really bad when we first got him but is improving all the time. 

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It was getting quite dark when we got to Hertford lock so we decided to moor on the lock moorings overnight.  A bit naughty we know but we are happy to let anyone tie up alongside if they want to use the lock.  Also, as we are on a river the banks are very high and reedy and we are not really ready to use gangplanks with Buddy.

The weather looked promising this morning although these photos of Karen’s office for the day were taken before sunrise!

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Buddy loves meeting other dogs and is quite submissive.  Here he is on his morning walk meeting a black labrador.

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As we were on lock moorings I cruised up through Hertford lock, the last/first lock on the river Lea.  It took me about 30 minutes to get through as the bottom gates were badly leaking.  I was naughty again, I had to nudge the top gates open with the boat. 

Emptying the lock before we could go in:

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Nearly at the top:

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We have now moored for the day just below these pretty canal-side cottages in Hertford.  Hertford looks a pleasant place and plenty of opportunity for Friday evening drinks. It also has a Saturday market so no doubt we’ll take a wander round tomorrow before turning round (winding) and heading south to the river Stort.

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Anyway, I have jobs to do so can’t spend all day blogging…

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