Brentford to Bulls Bridge (Grand Union Canal)



Having arrived at Brentford early we decided to treat ourselves to an all the works breakfast. We were meeting up with Jim and Alison (Tom's brother and Sister in Law) for a family catch up  in the evening and Brentford was deemed to be good for them transport wise, so we decided to stay overnight. We had been to Brentford before but decided to go for a walk to Kew Bridge to stretch our legs and have a look around. When we crossed over Kew bridge we came upon a local fete and had a look around. We came to the tea tent and despite having had a blow out breakfast, we indulged ourselves and had some tea and a couple of homemade cakes. While we were deciding which cakes to have a new batch of chocolate brownies arrived and Christine's eyes lit up. The trouble was that they hadn't been priced so madam  president was called upon. After  quite a bit of deliberation and taking into account all the luxurious ingredients that must have gone into the making, a price of £1.50 per cake was decided upon, despite my recommendation of 50p!! The server then gave Christine the smallest cake on the plate but in true Essex style and volume she said "for one pound fifty I want the biggest one"  The server meekly gave her the cake she pointed at and mumbled something to the effect of  Christine being a woman after her own heart.

We then went back to the boat after calling into Morrisons on the way to get some fresh fruit and other provisions that we were running a bit short of.

We met up with J &A and went to an Italian restaurant on the quay and had a very pleasant evening, catching up on all the family news.( forgot Camera so no pics) 

Today we set off at about 0930hrs making for Bulls Bridge. We met up with a couple Danny and Glyn on their boat " Prestige"  and did the Hanwell flight of locks with them, which always makes life easier, as with two boats you don't have to tie up for and aft as is the case when going up in Locks as a lone boat.



The Fete on Kew Bridge Common





I offered to take Christine for a drive around London
but she wasn't having it



Needless to say I wasn't allowed to buy it

Danny and Glyn's boat Prestige
Glyn is chatting to a couple of Sunday walkers we met along the way
(Sorry Julia I didn't recognise you but I expect you think that is a bonus)



Christine an Glyn POWER CHATTING!!!




Danny totally un-wound 

No blog tomorrow as it is only a boring part of the Grand Union Canal with nothing of real interest. When we first did this stretch a few years back I noticed coconut shells with candles in them floating down the canal. I asked a local what they were meant to be and he explained that the Sikhs put them in the canal as their belief is that all water leads back to the River Ganges.
( I WAS TEMPTED BUT RESISTED)

Update to 3rd September