Quick survey of the Hertford Union

Delayed from last week because of bad weather, today I cycled the Hertford Union again.

This time I was alone, and since the H&S course yesterday I was rather more conscious of the hazards of lone-working, so this time I made doubly sure of my PPE and also made sure that Darren Starling was informed of my movements before and after my stint.

That said, being alone didn't last long as before I set off I ran into J - the data collector I'd met on Tuesday and who shared the two courses at Milton Keynes with me. We chatted a little and then I set off. I also spent some time before I left, on the phone with R, who was about to move a "Conver" weed-boat similar to the one I'd crewed on a few months ago. After I couldn't be much help about where keys were or how to use the controls to raise and lower the debris collection ramp, I passed on the phone number of the operative who had been with me on that boat.

At White Post Lane there are a couple of places where there's an opportunity to add some more Share The Space signage - in particular at the access points to the towpath either side of White Post Lane bridge.

I took a few photos at the lower lock. The painting of the stonework here has deteriorated a lot, and will need re-doing very soon. I'm going to suggest this as another towpath task-force task to Sandile, for his schedule.

Worn away paintwork on the stones at the Lower Lock.

Just past the A12 bridge at the bottom of the ramp to Wick Lane there was a Vespa in the canal. I sent in a report, but as I climbed the locks I met up with Aidan (remember Aidan?) who was skippering the workboat 'The Lee' down the locks towards Lea Bridge. His workmate had already reported the Vespa and they looked at removing it, but had to move on.

Vespa in the cut.

At Old Ford Lock, someone had rescued a seagull with a broken wing, so the volunteer lock keepers were waiting for someone from an animal rescue charity to arrive. I took the opportunity to look in the stores/refuge there. Unfortunately, it seems someone had moved a vast amount of material from Bow Wharf there, and without a great deal of care had stacked it right in the middle of the lock keepers' refuge. It was blocking access to their equipment and there was an array of Health and Safety issues, I took photos that could have served as 'how many H&S hazards can you spot?' illustrations for the course I was on only yesterday and emailed an URGENT report with them.

I turned around and made my way back down the HU. At the locks I had to remonstrate with a widebeam boater, who had left the head gates and paddles open at both the Middle and Top Locks. I shouted at them a bit (just to be heard over their motor) and they stopped and put things right - although I had to instruct their crew on how to use a windlass and wind down a paddle(!)

People on boats who are new to doing such things are a regular problem. It's going to need some work.

2 hours.