Boxmoor top lock

Left Apsley this morning I set the lock while Paul cast off, after what seemed like ages he appeared in the lock, why had he been so long because he had trodden in a pile of dog poo and not knowing had walked it onto the boat and down the steps into the bedroom. Luckily we have a strip of plastic matting in the bedroom to protect the carpet from muddy paws, this time it protected the carpet from s****y boots. Paul was not a happy bunny at least we were able to wash the back of the boat off while filling up with water. We were going to stop at Hemel for dog food but as there were no moorings we have ended up above Boxmoor Top Lock. The train line is very close here but we don't mind that. At the moment there is only us and another boat and that was here when we went down towards London in November. We may stay here a couple of days then onto Berkhampsted for me to go to Kent, there is no rush now to get any where. Buckby locks are shut until 13th March so we can spend as long as we like getting there. May pop into Cowroast on the way to see how much they charge for bottom blacking.
Paul was asked to look at the electrics on a boat at Hemel, we double moored but on inspection the job is more of a refit than a tidy up so we will have to ring the owner and give him the bad news.