Once we passed under the M25 the navigation did get more pleasant.
We enjoyed a night moored in the pretty little village of Stanstead Abbot. there’s a useful marina and small chandlery although they were out of stock of mooring pins, which we urgently need . The Co-op was well stocked though.
And the next night we were in Ware. A small town full of history, and rivalry with Hertford for being a significant staging post on the roads north. However Wares prosperity grew up quenching the thirst of Londoners, both with fresh water and beer. An artificial waterway was created in the early 17th century to channel water from the natural spring at Ware into London. Its still in use today carrying around 8% of londons drinking water, thats around 220million litres per day. Ware also played a significant role in the brewing industry supplying malt the London Brewers, and then brewing in the town itself. Several malt houses can still be seen from the river, but what marks Ware out is the Gazebos of Ware. In the 18th and 19th centuries the inkeepers and property owners needed a quiet place to retreat from the hectic highstreet and it became fashionable to build these overhanging summerhouses onto the river. Known as the Gazebos, they are are quaintly unique to this area.
We continued our journey though some lovely rolling countryside
Until we could go no further
We struggled to get moored in Hertford, (the canal is quite narrow and overgrown here) which is a pity, because it looked an interesting place, albeit one that had become a significant commuter town for those wanting to get into London for work.
