December 2009

Lock 57, Bottom Side Lock, Berkhamsted.

Kingfisher on Lock 14, Aylesbury Arm

Lock 48, Dudswell Bottom Lock.

Graffton Regis in Northamptonshire

Early morning sunrise at Wilstone Reservoir, Tring

Early morning sunrise at Wilstone Reservoir, Tring

November 2009

Lock 74, Lady Capels, Watford, Herts.

From Bridge 57, Graffton Regis, Northamptonshire.

Stoke Hammond , Milton Keynes.

Bridge 98A, Water Eaton, Milton Keynes.

October 2009

The Aylesbury Arm at Lock 16.

Bulbourne Works near Tring

Above is a very still day at Tring reservoirs, overlooking Startops reservoir and the Grand Union Canal

This is the M25 viaduct and Abbotts Langley

Just outside Watford in Herts. This is Grove Mill.

Tringford Reservoir.

September 2009

Marsworth Flight of locks on the Grand Union Canal

Stoke Bruerne Locks

The Dry Dock at Bulbourne, at the top of the Marsworth Flight

Tring Summit that is the Cutting

Norton Junction at Buckby

Lock 48 at Dudswell near Berkhamsted

Brugges December 2008

Below are a few photos from our trip to Brugges 2008 over the new year holiday.

The above is an ice sculpture exhibition that seems to be run every year in Brugges Railway Station forecourt. It’s a must to see.

Canal Views

The picture to the left is at Boxmoor in Hemel Hempstead. Its looking towards Berkhamsted at Lock 63 on the Grand Union Canal, known as Fishery Lock. This picture was taken in December 2008

Here is the reservoir at Western Turville near Wendover, Autumn colours just beginning to show.

This is at Leighton Buzzard from the old silica sand loading wharfs.

Early morning mist with a low sun.

Bruges, December 2006

The first weekend in December we are included in a group of friends who go on a pre-Christmas trip. One of our favourites destinations is Bruges. It’s usually very cold and has such a “Christmassy” atmosphere.
The picture above shows the hotel of preference, although not smart, it is very European. The staff are fun and the food is great. There is an open fire in most restaurants. The Hotel Central is in the main Square, opposite the Huge brick built cathedral. A large ice rink surrounded by food and mulled wine stalls makes for entertainment.


The illuminations are quite a sight, all white lights, some outlining the roof shapes. Horse and carriage rides are a must, they continue day and night, blankets and commentary are provided.


One of the couples that usually accompany us on these weekends is Tony and Sue. This year they deserted us for a trip to Australia and New Zealand, I can’t imagine why, but we missed them so much, especially Tony as he is usually our “Dad”.


Although we have visited Bruges many times we went on our first boat trip around the canals. It’s certainly a different view from down there.

Jerry and Patricia exiting the hotel in the early morning sun, but you can’t see how cold it is.



Gillian sits in the carriage while the horse is fed and watered half way round the route. At this point there many restaurants. It is also close to the brewery and Christmas shop. At the rear of the Christmas shop there is a time machine, here we lose the girls for hours, but the local bars benefit from the boys, as they must take on refreshments while waiting the girls’ return.

Autumn on the Grand Union Canal in Berkhamsted

All the below photographs are taken in the Berkhamsted area.

The above view is taken from Lock 51 (Gas 1) looking North. All the below pictures were taken in the morning when the sun was low.


This is looking North form Lock 52 (Gas 2)


Here is the Grand Union Canal at Bridge 144 (Bullbeggers Lane) believe it or not, Berkhamsted sewer works is very close to this spot. If the wind is in the wrong direction………….!



This view is facing South from Lock 52, (Gas 2) looking towards the Waitrose car park. You have to remember this is in the very centre of Berkhamsted.

North Berwick (October 2006)

We had been invited for a long weekend to North Berwick. Gillian and Jerry, Gillian’s sister Valerie and husband Jim, Susan and Jim and ourselves stayed in a holiday house on the harbour, with views out to sea on both sides of the house. The photo above is the night about town. Not seen is Gillian, Valerie or myself.


This is the view looking east from the house. Bass rock in the distance. The first few days was very windy, sand everywhere. With the good company and more than a few alcoholic drinks we certainly had a great weekend.


This scene, if I remember correctly, was just before the Trivial Pursuit game. Nobody seemed to care about the game, but I think Jimmy Lee was declared the winner.


This is the view looking out of the west window, over the small harbour and out towards Edinburgh.



Here is Jim, Jim and Jerry golfing. What cannot be seen is how windy it was, or how wet we got on the round. We had to try out the new clubhouse for food and drinks, it passed with flying colours.


Here is a view from the golf course looking back to North Berwick and the harbour house. Missing is Sue and Jim, this was our last day there and Jim and Sue was visiting her mother.


Gillian took Patricia and I on a walk to see local views. This is the view of Bass Rock, a popular bird sanctuary.


Finally, this is the house, the white house in the middle. Such a great weekend, we seem to have had so many recently. It really makes working worth while.