May Bank Holiday: Day 2

We both slept really well, and woke to bright sunshine.  We had a pretty relaxed start to the day, and set off about 9.30.  Lots of people have said there seem to be very few boats about, but they must all be in Milton Keynes, because we passed loads.  At one point, the Jules Fuels boats were serving a customer, so there wasn’t much room to get by.

We continued past Campbell Park Marina, where the flats and townhouses on the other side are progressing.  There are shops and businesses open now.

We turned round at the winding hole before Bridge 83, and returned to the Campbell Park where there was plenty of space on the park side moorings.  The fuel boats arrived for the other direction and moored in front of us.  A very large fish which looked a lot like a koi carp drifted by.

We had lunch, then went for a walk across the park to the new development.  The electric trip boat, Electra, was back on its mooring.  We walked across the rusty bridge and walked a loop.

This afternoon, my Radio 2 colleague Niki came to see us, while her husband and daughter went for a walk.  We had a good natter about all sorts of things.  The towpath has been quite busy, with lots of people keen to have a good look in our windows!

8 miles, 0 locks.  (9 miles, 1 lock)

March week: Day 3

Today we have spent all day moving, and ended up where we started.  We set off at about 8.30, in bright sunshine.  First stop was at the water point by the Peartree Bridge pub, as we needed another load of washing done.  We were there a bit longer than expected, because on checking the machine to see whether the wash part of the cycle was done, it was showing an error code indicating it couldn’t lock the door.  We sorted that and got it going again.  The tap was extraordinarily slow, so the extra time there was probably a good thing.

We shared Fenny Stratford lock with a hire boat in search of a pump out, with MK marina having sent them on to Willowbridge, as their machine wasn’t working.  The crew was relieved to hear that Willowbridge was canalside, and they wouldn’t have to do a difficult turn in!  We carried on to the winding hole below Stoke Hammond Lock, where we turned around, and reversed onto a bit of piling to moor up.  We then walked up to the Soulbury Three Locks, which are currently closed for work.  There’s a big coffer dam and a pontoon bridge across the canal.

The actual work is to rebuild the wall just below the top lock, and there was a work boat beached across the drained pound, and lots of people laying bricks.

The pound below the middle lock also has a very bad wall, with the gabions having disintegrated.  I suspect that’s a job for another time though, otherwise the locks won’t be re-opening on Friday afternoon as scheduled.

We had lunch at the Three Locks pub.  They don’t really have a sensible lunch menu, so we selected items from the nibbles and starter menus.  Everything was very tasty, but a bit pricy.  We walked back and retraced our steps.  Somewhere along the canal was a scene which reminded me of the concrete sculpture of a sofa that’s on the Coventry Arm — except this isn’t a sculpture.

We’ve moored in the same spot as last night, just facing the other way.  Adrian has been making a chilli as we’ve travelled along.

13 miles, 2 locks.  (21 miles, 3 locks)

March week: Day 2

I needed to be up in good time this morning, as I’d been booked to have an on-air chat with Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, about the Country2Country Festival.  It was at 7.40, and I did it from the cratch where the signal was a bit stronger.

Once that was done we had breakfast, then about 9am Adrian started a wash load on work shirts.  Once the washing part of the cycle was over we set off, with Adrian working us through the lock.  Going anywhere round here takes ages because of all the moored boats, but it was a nice sunny day so crawling along on tickover for most of the way didn’t seem like much of a hardship.  With this being close to base, I hardly took any photos.  But I did spot that the works at Great Linford are now all but finished, with the huge holes in the ground now rather attractive lakes.

We had hoped to moor on the park moorings in Milton Keynes, but these are currently still winter moorings, so we tied up on the rings opposite.  As it was lunchtime we walked back to the Camphill Cafe by Bridge 81.  This is in a residential place for adults with learning disabilities, and the cafe offers them work experience.  They also grow their own produce, and have an artisan bakery.  We’ve tried to go here a few times before, but have never managed to be here on a day when it was open.  But it was today, and we can thoroughly recommend it.

We walked back on the opposite side of the canal, and on through Campbell Park with its many sculptures to Campbell Wharf.  A pub has been built by the marina since we were last this way, and is due to open next month.

We wandered back to the boat and have both been doing odd bits of work in the sunshine.  In fact it’s been so warm in the boat with the fire going and the sun shining that Adrian’s shirts have all dried, and we’ve had to open a window.

7 miles, 1 lock.  (8 miles, 1 lock)

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)

Bank Holiday Weekend: Day 1

I've been on a set of night shifts, but I got away in good time this morning and had an easy drive up the M1, arriving at the marina at 8.15. Just half an hour later i was pulling out of our berth and heading south. I didn't go far -- just to the service block at Cosgrove, because i wanted to empty the loo. I last did it in September, and it hasn't been used for a while so it was well composted down. While I did that, I also filled the water tank, which seemed to be fairly empty.

I'd seen a small boat arrive by road down by the trip boat and be put into the water. As I approached the lock it was just going in, and turned out to be the electro-fishing guys, who I guess are getting zander out of the canal. I did wonder why they'd used the lock when you'd have thought they could have carried the boat down there.

I turned the lock and went down, chatting as I did so to a boater who moors at Taverners, just across from our marina. Next stop was Wolverton, but there wasn't a space to be had on the rings by the flats. One of the boats there was Silver Melody, last year's Crick Show winner, which I did the boat test on. The owners were just going shopping, so I was able to have a quick conversation. I went through the bridge and moored on the piling beyond; the only downside was that the railway lone was literally just a few feet away.

I did some work writing up Monday's boat test, then went to Tesco to fill the fridge and the cupboards. Adrian was on his way on the train, after meetings in London this morning, and he arrived at about 2pm from Wolverton Station. We set off again to get away from the trains. My original target had been Bridge 75 at Stantonbury, but when we got there it was only quarter to three, so i decided to carry on a bit. Just after the bridge we passed the Exbury Egg moored up.

We carried on into Milton Keynes, where I reckon the number of widebeams is fast approaching the number of narrowboats. When we got to Campbell Park, much to my surprise the park side moorings were completely free, so we moored up there. I've already made the meat sauce for a lasagne, so we'll have that and then it'll be an early night, as i will soon have been up for 24 hours.

8 miles, 1 lock.

Pre-trip trip: Day 1

We came up to the boat last night -- having decided that we had a better chance of a decent journey on Friday evening than Saturday morning; we were right, as it took only just over two hours, and I'm sure would have been much longer this morning.

We can't start our big Autumn trip until later next week, but thought we'd spend these few days on board anyway. So this morning, after topping up the water tank, we set off -- in the opposite direction to the way we'll eventually be heading. Only a few minutes after we'd left the marina, there was a torrential downpour -- but it didn't last long; by the time we got to Cosgrove lock it had stopped. The sun shone for most of the journey towards Milton Keynes, where some of the parks seem to have new works of art. I'd don't recall seeing this chap before, and the other one is so new it's still fenced off.

There was another heavy shower just before Campbell Park, but we managed to moor up in the dry, between bridges 81B and 82. There was rain and thunder while we had lunch, and then it brightened up, so we decided to walk up through the park to central Milton Keynes, mostly to use our soon-to-expire vouchers for tea and cake at John Lewis. We made it almost all the way there in the dry -- and the walk back was also dry, although we could see lightening in the distance. We came back via the pyramid beacon, no the cricket ground.

There have been more downpours since we arrived back, as well as more thunder, so I reckon we've done well not to get wetter today. Tomorrow is meant to be better, although we don't have far to go.

8 miles,1 lock.

 

Spring cruise - Day 9

After yesterday's warm sunshine, today was decidedly chilly.  I resisted putting a coat on for as long as I could, but gave in during the long run into Milton Keynes.  We set off at just after 8.30, and this was the view of our neighbour as I untied our ropes.

It took less than half an hour to get to the top of the Soulbury Three Locks.  The top two just needed topping up before we could use them, and a boat was coming up in the bottom one.  No matter what the weather, this flight always seems like hard work for the steerer.  The short pounds between the locks seem to have odd currents and the wind is always swirling about unpredictably, making it tricky to steer the few yards from one lock to the next.

We stopped to top up the water tank at the bottom of the locks, remembering that the tap here has particularly good pressure.  While that was happening, I walked back up to the middle lock with the rubbish.

We were soon on our way again and through the lock at Stoke Hammond.  Then it's a longish run to Fenny Stratford.  We have a good record at this lock, more often than not meeting a boat.  But it wasn't to be today, we were alone and had to swing the bridge and work the lock -- all one foot of it.  When I opened the top gate, a group of swans swam in for a ride down.  One was too impatient, and decided to climb through the gap in one of the lower gates.  The other two waited until I opened a bottom gate, and swam out.

It's about four miles from Fenny to our planned stop, just before Bridge 82 in Milton Keynes.  The only event of note was meeting a boat at a blind bridge hole.  We moored up at about a quarter to one, and we're greeted by a clutch of ten ducklings.

After lunch we walked up through Campbell Park to the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, as Adrian needed to collect his replacement phone.  He must have made quite an impression the other day, as the manager remembered him and came over to get him out of the queue.

Campbell Park has a few new features since we last walked across it.  There's a light pyramid on top of the hill, and what used to be a fountain has been converted into an art work containing columns of different heights, marking significant dates.  I hadn't been expecting to need the camera in the shopping mall so had left it behind, otherwise there would be photos.

Finally, now we've lit the fire for the evening, the sun has put in an appearance and the temperature has gone up a bit.  Tomorrow, there's just the short run back to base.

9 miles, 5 locks.  (65 miles, 59 locks)

November weekend - Day 2

Adrian arrived about 7.15 last night.  I was alerted to his arrival by the noise of a suitcase being wheeled down the pontoon.

This morning, there was an unforecast shower just before we got up - which was a surprise because the sky looked completely clear.  We had porridge for breakfast, then got ready to set off.  We left the marina at about 9.15, and we're soon through Cosgrove lock.  It was chilly, but reasonably bright.

We passed three boats coming the other way: one was right near a moored boat, another by the Lionhearts Cruising Club, and the final one at Bridge 81.  There must be something about this bridge.  It's on a blind bend, and we seem to meet a boat there every time.  In this case, I'd slowed right down and was right on the bridge when I saw the bow of the other boat.  They did a lot of reversing and I steered round them.  The helmsman apologised because he was looking off to the side!

We went through Campbell Park and turned at the winding hole just beyond bridge 82, then came back through the bridge and moored up.

We had a £5 voucher for Vintage Inns, so made e short walk to The Barge, where we hada a very nice lunch.

This afternoon, we've stoked up the fire and watched a DVD of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  Dinner is in the oven, and I've also made a rhubarb crumble.

8.5 miles, 1 lock.

Milton Keynes

It was pretty dull and grey this morning, but at least it had stopped raining by the time we set off at 9.30am.  We decided to head south, and we were soon at Cosgrove Lock.

We didn't really have a destination in mind, so we carried on through the familiar sequence of Wolverton, New Bradwell, Great Linford and Milton Keynes.  The only boat we met was, of course, at a blind bridge hole.  The moorings as Giffard Park were full, and it was also busy at Campbell Park.  We carried on to Bridge 82, where we winded.  Just beyond was a decent bit of towpath, so having turned we reversed back past a boat and tied up.

After lunch, we went for a walk down to Willen Park.  There was drizzle blowing in the wind, so we went back to the boat and stoked the fire up.  There are trees in the way of the satellite here, so we've been watching episodes of Last Tango in Halifax, which Adrian had downloaded from iPlayer.

8.5 miles, 1 lock.

Winding hole mystery

It absolutely hammered it down with rain last night.  At one point, it was so loud on the roof that I couldn't hear the tv.  However, this morning was far sunnier than forecast.

A couple of boats went past early (while I was still in bed), and another couple, both Wyvern hire boats, went by while I had my breakfast.  It was 9.30 by the time I was ready to leave, and as I let go of the bow rope, another Wyvern boat came round the corner.  I was glad, because it's easier if there's another boat to share the lock with; of course they pulled in at the water point.  When I got to Cosgrove Lock, another boat was arriving to come up and as the lock was in their favour we worked them through first.  By the time that was done, a crew member from the hire boat arrived and asked if they could come in the lock with me.  I put Briar Rose in and we waited just a couple of minutes for the boat to arrive.  It was driven by a woman who was trying a lock entry for the first time, while the man of the party was planning to work his first lock.  She was delighted when I scored her helmsmanship as ten out of ten.  The hire boaters let me get back on board while they worked the lock.

I stopped at Wolverton to go to Tesco, then carried on in the sunshine.  The park side moorings at Great Linford were empty, so I decided to stop there for lunch and a walk.  The park is very well kept; there's a huge manor house, alms houses dating back 400 years, and a church.  There's also a collection of art workshops.

As it was so sunny, it seemed a shame not to boat on for a bit.  The problem was where I was going to turn around:  the next winding hole was just a couple of hundred yards further on; according to Pearson, the one after that is beyond Fenny Stratford Lock.  But the Nicholson guide shows a couple of winding holes in Milton Keynes.  CanalPlanAC agreed with Pearson, claiming there was nowhere to turn before Fenny Stratford.  I decided that I'd carry on through Milton Keynes, turn if there was a winding hole, but if I had to carry on to Fenny, then so be it.

The canal through Milton Keynes is rather attractive, especially on a sunny day.  It's not really what you'd expect (apart from going under the dual carriageways).

The first possible winding hole was just after Bridge 82, so I approached slowly in order to check it out.  It turned out to be a fully formed, full size turning point.  I'll add it to our map.  I retraced my steps just a short distance and moored opposite Campbell Park.  It was very warm, right up until a rain shower came over.  A couple of boats arrived and moored on the park side while it was raining.

8 miles, 1 lock.  (9 miles, 1 lock)

Autumn Cruise - Day 3

It rained during the night, but neither of us heard it.  We set off before 8.30, in blustery conditions, grey skies, and rain in the air.  The first of the remaining Stoke Bruerne locks was full, but the others were empty.  The pounds in between are quite wide, and Adrian had to fight to stop the wind taking Briar Rose over to the far side.  There was a boat coming up the bottom lock, which meant it was ready for us.

By the time we reached the foot of the flight, the sky had cleared and the sun was out -- but it was still extremely windy.  At times, steering and direction of travel had very little in common.  However, the Northamptonshire countryside is charming, and the Grand Union has some fine bridges.

One of the finest is at Cosgrove, where we stopped to fill up with water.

We had to fight to get away from the bank at Cosgrove, and there were waves on the water on the approch to Cosgrove lock (where we had our photo taken by a woman who thanked us for coming through at just the right time!)  Shortly after the lock comes the Iron Trunk aqueduct over the Ouse.

We stopped at Wolverton for lunch and to visit Tesco.  We struggled to moor up because of the strength of the wind -- a boater who came to help said he'd needed five people to get his boat in earlier in the day; they'd come from the surrounding flats to help him.  Since we were last here, the new flats have been completed, and the old railway building has been converted into houses and offices.

There's a modern aqueduct over a dual carriageway a little further on.  The winding hole just beyond is where we turned when we came this way on Debdale four years ago, so the rest of the Grand Union is virgin territory for us.  At Great Linford there's a pretty church and a lovely wharf house.

We stopped for a while at Giffard Park, tired of the wind.  But having had a look around we decided to carry on into Milton Keynes proper, and went another half an hour to Campbell Park.  We moored opposite the park, and walked up into the town centre.  It's quite a long walk, but the park is full of interest, with a cricket ground and a band stand, each with natural amphitheatre seating.  We achieved our main goal: buying a new kettle.  What's more, the famous concrete cows have been relocated to the shopping centre.

It's still windy, and will continue to be so tomorrow, if the forecast is to be believed.

14 miles, 6 locks.  (46 miles, 24 locks)