First Boat to Latton Junction
in 100 years?

    We were just having a relaxing break during a work party at the Basin on Tuesday (8th April) when my eye caught a movement that sent me dashing for my camera.  Coming down the Mill Leat was a boat!  Possibly the first vessel to arrive at the junction by water for nearly a hundred years.  Dave and his mate were paddling their way to London via the rivers Churn and Thames.  Fortunately for us they had mistaken the mill leat for the actual river course.  Fortunately for them the leat rejoins the River Churn again further on.  Our intrepid voyagers were not deterred by the fallen tree or the low access bridge and were, after a brief chat, on their way again.
    During the day we erected a bit more fencing, tidied up the hut and planted a few more bulbs in the soil removed from the Basin.  As the Tesco advert says "Every Little Helps".  As the digger wasn't in action this day, John had a dig around the un-exposed side of the aqueduct.

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Dave and his mate approaching the junction.


The fallen Willow partially blocks the leat.
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But our travellers force their way passed.


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Jensen was curious about these new arrivals.


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Dave got a bit wet when he leapt out to have a look a the bridge.
 


Walkers at the information panel were as surprised as us to see the boaters
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Having determined that they could get under the bridge they set off again.
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It was a bit of a tight squeeze.
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But they made it.
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And were on their way their way to re-join the River Churn and on to the Thames.


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We wish them well and hope they enjoy the journey.
 
 


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A bit more fencing around the Basin, with a gate left for access.


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I can't resist taking more pictures of the aqueduct entrance
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Once the basin bed has been levelled we will grass it over. It will look nice and will be easy to remove when we need to make the basin water-tight.
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John found a curve on the other side of the aqueduct.
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When the digger is active again we will know more.
Just waiting for the grass.

 


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There is still lots to do.
If you would like to help please contact us.
Fund raising
Publicity
Negotiating
Research
Organising
As well as the the usual hands on work.