Cassiobury Park, Watford

This is one of our favourite moorings, walks in the park, people, boat and wild life to watch ...

 On their way to the next performance

 Just balls of down!

This has been the weekend for the Grand Union Challenge - 100k run, jog or walk from the start of the GU Canal in London to it’s end in Birmingham.  Cassiobury Park is the halfway point.

Nowhere near 100k for us though yesterday, just a gentle walk around the park and wildlife centre ...

Yesterday it was a hot one and the park paddling pools were busy, lots of noise and splashing, lots of fun.

I’ve been inspired by Irene’s wild life photography and although my camera is small but has all the bells and whistles I’ve never got the hang of ISO and Aperture, Exposure, Macro etc, but thought I’d have a go when I saw this tiny moth on the inside of the bathroom porthole (I’m not a person who goes hunting for bugs though) the picture was taken on IA (intelligent auto!) Rather pleased with it!

And we’re off …..

Happy, Happy, Happy!
We spent 10 days at Apsley during which time I attended my last hand therapy session at Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

Before leaving we had a final top-up of fuel from Jules Fuels, this is them coming back up from Nash Mills the following day to start their trading cycle once more and I know that they would have it no other way! 

After reversing to use the services we moved down 4 locks to our usual mooring just before Kings Langley where we stayed for 7 days 

Kings Langley’s All Saints Church has a modern hall on the back but was unfortunately locked up so we didn’t have a chance to look around.  The High Street is very pretty with lots of independent shops and cafes … a good way to spend a very pleasant hour or so.

Whilst moored there George travelled by bus back into Hemel to keep his appointment the dentist and had his stitches removed.  He doesn’t have to return there now until September …

 …. so …. we’re free …… yippee!

 So an early start this morning leaving our mooring at 7 o'clock

 passing the resident heron waiting for his breakfast to come along




and some lovely gardens which back onto the canal

you may just be able to see the Mallard with what is probably her second clutch of ducklings in this garden

 I love this stretch of the Grand Union Canal around Abbots Langley and Hunton Bridge

 although a few of the bridges are at rather awkward angles to the canal

 and the pretty Grove Bridge looks good in the sunshine

 Grove Mill

 Mrs Mandarin with her chicks

3 ½ miles and 8 locks later at 11am we’re moored at Cassiobury, a place we love; our son is coming to visit and life is good.

Congratulations to ...

… to number one grandson Adam

… who now has a 2:1 MA in Film and Television from Glasgow University.

We are very proud of him and love him dearly.

Girlfriend Emma has also received a 2:1 but I’m not sure in which subject - congratulations Emma!

Knashers and peepers ….

From the stern deck just after 8pm - lovely!

You may remember that George broke a tooth (crown) back in March and on our return from Scotland started treatment in Hemel Hempstead.  The dentist, on removing the post, found that there was a serious infection which had accumulated in the space around the crown's ‘post’ over the 20-odd years it had been in place (it was actually a good thing that the tooth was knocked out when it was because it could have caused very serious damage to his jaw and his health). 

So, on Wednesday it was time for the dentist to put an implant into his upper jaw (he’d previously had x-rays to confirm that there was sufficient depth in the bone between his teeth and his nose to take the implanted post).  Under local anaesthetic his upper gum was cut to approximately ½” either side of the site and the dentist removed all the fibrous tissue that was the infection and this was when it was confirmed how serious the infection could have become.  The dentist then implanted a post (artificial root) into the upper jaw and topped it with a cap which will be removed eventually for the post (abutment in the picture below) to allow the ‘tooth’ to be fitted in 10 weeks time.  

George’s mouth is sore, the stitches are catching on the inside of this mouth above his lips and the area is rather swollen.  He has antibiotics to take and must wear the previously provided denture when eating to keep the area as clean as possible and because it’s a front tooth he can’t ‘bite’ as it’s too painful and he has to be very careful not to knock the area as it could dislodge the implant.  So at the moment he’s eating food that doesn’t have much substance to it at all!  He’s hungry and not a happy bunny!

On a lighter note ….

View from the bow yesterday morning.

Yesterday we went to the opthalmologist with Molly and good news!  The drops she’s been having for the past three months have restored some sight to her right eye, kept the eye pressure in the normal range and have prevented any further damage with regard to the glaucoma and displaced lens.  We will still need to return for regular checkups especially to measure the pressure in both eyes, but hey, brilliant news!

Would have liked to sit outside the Paper Mill for a meal but as George is having trouble eating it wouldn’t be much fun for him, may be next time.

We shall stay here in Apsley until my next physio appointment next week, it’s a lovely mooring especially in the sunshine but I understand that rain, hail, thunder and lightening is on its way today!  George says ‘bring it on!"