Black Jack

It's an idyllic setting on the Grand Union Canal, yet little more than 13 miles from central London.
This is next door to the intriguingly named Black Jack's Lock, one of 166 on the canal which runs for 137 miles from Birmingham to the Thames, and is the country's longest canal.
It is a regular passage way for canal boats, which like all on the waterway are restricted in size. On this section they can be no more than 72 ft in length, in 7 ft width and have maximum headroom of 7 ft 8 inches with a maximum draft of 4ft 3 inches to be able to navigate the many locks and bridges.
Black Jack's Lock and bridge sit on an arm of the canal which runs to the Thames.
On a wet bank holiday the traffic on the canal was minimal, but normally you would expect a steady passage of boats.
To those who live on the canal it is a special way of life. To those who take to the water for recreation it is a charmed interlude which mere landlubbers envy.