BSS weekend: Day 2

As I looked out of the side hatch yesterday evening at about 7.30, I saw a barn owl flying along the opposite bank of the canal — quite remarkable really given the huge housing estate just the other side of the park.  I slept really well and had a leisurely start to the day.  To get some steps in, I decided to go and have a look at the ponds they restored recently at Great Linford, which you can see from the canal.  I walked along the towpath, then over the old railway bridge.  Signs say these were the pleasure gardens for the Manor House.

There are also some nice new interpretation boards.

On the way back I walked up the old railway line and eventually came out opposite the Asda at the far side of the park and housing estate, and returned back through that part of the park.  The lady from the boat in front was about, and we had a nice chat about their live-aboard life.  I set off about 11.30, heading for the winding hole.  The one before the bridge had a boat moored where my stern would have swung round, and a fisherman at the apex, so I decided to go through the bridge and use the one the other side.  As I was halfway through the bridge, I saw a boat coming the other way, but we were able to dance round each other, and I was round in no time.  In fact, going back through the bridge I caught him up almost immediately as he was barely moving; he waved me past, and I noticed he did the same for another boat a bit later.  The new houses by Bridge 76, which were not finished last September, now are — and most are occupied.  I rather like the shape of them, and the detached version has a double height section in the middle.

As I crossed the Grafton St Aqueduct, there was a rail replacement bus among the traffic, and as I got toward the Wolverton Rail Bridge I thought I could see why — there were lots of working trains sitting there.  I particularly liked the name of the one I could see.

Not all lines were closed though, because trains were still going through Wolverton Station.  At around this point, a lady on the towpath asked me how I keep my ‘tent’ so black — so any disappointment that the cratch cover still looked a bit green in places disappeared!  I had to confess that I’d scrubbed and re-waterproofed it only yesterday.  I moored up by the flats in Wolverton to make a dash to Tesco.  Earlier in the morning I’d tested the CO and smoke alarms, and found the smoke alarm wouldn’t make any noise.  While the CO alarm appeared to work the first time, I now can’t get that to change its display either.  Anyway, Tesco had no replacements and nor did any of the other shops in Wolverton, so it’ll be a trip to B&Q first thing tomorrow.  I had some lunch while I was there, then set off again.  The boat with the duck in the flower pot had gone, so either the duck wasn’t nesting, or they’ve taken it with them.  As I approached the aqueduct, I could see the familiar yellow umbrella of the ice cream man.

Would there be space to moor up today? I thought there might be because one of the boats I’d passed had been moored here yesterday — and sure enough there was a space.  In fact, there’s room for another behind.  Once secure, I walked back and got an ice cream.

Having seen all the caravans in the park below the embankment, I wondered if their shop might have alarms.  They don’t, but the shop has been completely re-done since I last called in, and now includes a smart cafe.  Back at the boat I washed the towpath side, put some polish on it, and did the first stage of dealing with the scratches below the gunwales.  It’s a busy towpath, and a few people stopped to chat.

5 miles, 0 locks.  (10 miles, 1 lock)