May Cruise -- Day 5

We heard them before we saw them.  We were still in the process of getting up, when we were aware of the sound of anglers stomping down the towpath, towing all their equipment behind them.  When we opened the curtains, there was a fishing match setting up, with one fisherman a few feet in front of the bow and another a few feet off the stern.

We had a cooked breakfast as it was Sunday, then I walked down to Stoke Hammond lock while Adrian brought the boat.

It was quite sunny, and at times felt warm.  But there was also a cold breeze.  When we got to Fenny Stratford lock, two boats were coming up so the bridge was already swung out of the way.  On leaving the lock we saw a family of geese with their goslings.

 

After Simpson, we passed through a huge fishing match, which went on for the best part of a mile.  As we went traversed the long lock-free pound through Milton Keynes, counting off the bridges, we saw two wide beams on the move.  Adrian also started cooking our Sunday roast, and when it was ready at about 1.30, we moored up opposite The Galleron at Wolverton to eat it.

We had just a couple of miles left, and they were done in the rain.  We had to turn Cosgrove lock, the final one of the trip.

It was a bit miserable as we turned back into the marina, but at least it wasn't windy enough to make it difficult to get into our berth.

Adrian then headed home; I'm staying for another couple of days, because the rearranged boat test is due on Wednesday.  Tomorrow and Tuesday I'm at work, so I'll drive to London -- and it's an early start in the morning.

15 miles, 3 locks.  (57 miles, 36 locks)