New Year’s Cruise: Day 6

It was a bright but chilly morning, and we set off at 9am.  Once again there was very little water in the pounds at the Three Locks, but at least we were taking a lock full down with us.  The top two locks had a bottom gate left open, which didn’t help.

Stoke Hammond Lock also had a bottom gate open and needed to be turned.

Fenny Stratford Lock was also empty.  As Adrian was swinging the bridge back over the lock, a cyclist who was waiting to cross commented that this lock was a lot of palaver for only a six inch drop.

We saw more boats on the move today than the past couple of days put together.  This was probably the most unusual.

We counted off the bridges through Milton Keynes, making slow progress because of all the moored boats.  There seems to be a new sculpture, a dragon fly made from an old shopping trolley.

We were aiming for the moorings at Stanton Low, by Bridge 75.  There were more boats here then when we passed on Thursday, but there was enough room on the end, and we have a view of the ruin from the towpath side.

Having moored up, I walked down to the tip by Bridge 74 with some old engine oil that I found in the engine hole the other day, and which we must have been carrying around for some considerable time. Cars were queueing to get in.  I came back via the little Asda where I bought some battery top up water, and walked across the parkland.  The batteries have had a much needed top up.

12 miles, 5 locks.  (41 miles, 11 locks)