New Year’s Cruise: Day 4

I had a pleasant surprise on the way home from work last night — the timetable suggested the train would take almost an hour to get to Milton Keynes, but in fact it was just 35 minutes; it was then due to wait there for 25 minutes.  It meant I was back at the boat before the train had departed again.

I had parked in Cosgrove, so needed to move the car back to the marina this morning.  While I was doing that, I made a quick visit to Tesco for a few forgotten items.  The walk back along the towpath between the marina and the boat was very muddy.

We set off about 10.15.  It was chilly and breezy.  We went down Cosgrove Lock, and headed for Milton Keynes.  There is a sunken flat on the aqueduct moorings and a CRT work boat was approaching to presumably try to raise it.  There were also a few other boats on the move, including one we met at the awkward Bridge 75.  Another was a wide workboat, which has a sign on the side saying it was going to help with the restoration of the Buckingham Arm.  It was pushed, slightly out of control, by a very small tug.

The moorings at Campbell Park were full, so we continued just round the corner and moored immediately before Bridge 82.  It was well before 2pm, but it’s a bit breezy and cold.  Adrian started making a chilli as we came along, and that’s now bubbling away on the stove.

8 miles, 1 lock.  (19 miles, 1 lock)