Easter Cruise - Day 3

Good Friday, and it was more like mid winter when we woke up. The canal was frozen, and thanks to frost on top, the ice looked like Tarmac.

As we we having breakfast, two boats came along, breaking the ice, which meant we didn't have to. And by the time we set off at 9.30 the sun was out.

Before long we were at Fenny Stratford Lock, which looked a lot better in the sunshine than it did yesterday.

Then starts the long run through Milton Keynes. I actually quite enjoy it; for one thing, there are dozens of bridges to tick off, and they're of all different ages and designs, from little foot bridges to dual carriage ways.

Just before Campbell Park, we pulled alongside Beverley and Ascot and bought a bag of coal. The cold means we're getting through it at quite a rate.

At Giffard Park, Adrian jumped off to get some milk from the shop there. We considered stopping for lunch, but decided to eat on the move; we felt that if we stopped we might not want to get going again. It was probably a wise move, because it clouded over and became much colder -- although since then the sun has come out again.

On the approach to Bridge 68, there was a great judder from the engine, and we knew we'd got something round the prop. A blast of reverse didn't clear it, so we resolved to sort it out when we'd stopped. We moored just past the aqueduct, and had a look down the weed hatch. A big plastic coal bag came out.

We planning to walk back to The Galleon later, for an early birthday dinner out, because I'm at work for the next three days.

11.5 miles, 1 lock. (24.5 miles, 3 locks)