08-29 Cosgrove on the Grand Union Canal

Friday 28th August: A sunny and dry day today although plenty of cloud about and looked like rain for a while this afternoon which meant we carried waterproofs with us when we went out.  Set off and headed north stopping briefly at New Bradwell to find the Co-op.  Went past the derelict Wolverton LNWR railway works where this mural is painted on the canal wall.

Moored up at the end of a line of boats below the lock at Cosgrove on 14 day moorings

and almost opposite two dutch barges.

Went for a walk this afternoon and completed a circuit on the Ouse Valley Way looking at the iron trough aqueduct

having crossed underneath through this rather low tunnel

and line of the original locks which crossed the Ouse.

Saturday 29th August:  Staying put today - we do not want to be around Stoke Bruerne are over the Bank holiday weekend.   We just chilled out and had a couple of dog walks first off to Cosgrove Park Stores for some milk passing this old sand wharf above the lock

and later down the Buckingham arm

past the sites of the first three bridges

although we did not quite make the A5 crossing as we came across a field of cattle and didn't feel like taking the dogs through.  Booked a table at The Barley Mow

for tonight and it is reached by passing underneath the canal through this tunnel.

08-27 Great Linford on the Grand Union

Thursday 27th August: Left Fenny Stratford about 10am and headed through Milton Keynes.  The weather was fine until just after we moored at Giffard Park to top up the water. A Wyvern hire boat was already using the tap and we had to wait.  At this point it started to rain again!  Once we had filled up we moved on just one more bridge to moor above bridge 77 at Great Linford near Lindford wharf and the old junction with the Newport Pagnell branch long since closed.  Had some more rain showers early afternoon and then risked it and took the dogs a walk down the old railway track path towards Newport Pagnell

and looked at the site of an old lock on the canal.

08-26 Fenny Stratford on the Grand Union

Tuesday 25th August: Got up early today (well Bridie did anyway!) to make most of the weather, as it is a damp but sunny start to the day with the threat of rain arriving at lunchtime.  We had set off by 8:30 and enjoyed a quiet cruise to the three locks at Soulbury.  We had just started to descend the first lock when a Wyvern hire boat arrived behind us so we topped up and reopened the top gates to let them join us.  An ex Ownerships owner from Oasis and Oasis Too who is shortly to join Oasis Too at Aston Marina!  A CART volunteer assisted with our passage down the three locks and Bridie went to deposit our rubbish in appropriate skip at the middle lock.

Once at the bottom of the flight

we watered up before proceeding to Stoke Hammond lock which we did on our own as two Wyvern boats went down the lock together in front of us. Whilst sunny and pleasant the wind started to pick up as we were approaching Fenny and grey clouds were accumulating so we decided to moor up just below the lock which has a swing bridge across it in front of The Red Lion public house.

The  Red Lion does not serve food so we walked into Fenny to The Bull and Butcher for an excellent couple of pints of Rev James (?) from Cardiff to wash down spicy chicken and chips (Bridie drank a gallon of Sauvignon - well that is what she asked for when the landlord gesticulated as to how large a drink she wanted!) By this time the rain had arrived and we did a quick burst of shopping and gave the dogs their lunch and took them for a short walk.

Wednesday 26th August: Weather forecast for today a bit mixed and that was what we got!  We set off to visit Bletchley Park

and it started to rain almost as soon as we crossed the swing bridge over the lock.  Made our way to Fenny Stratford station and caught 11:33 to Bletchley no distance at all but enough to have got much wetter if we had walked as Bletchley Park is very close to the station at Bletchley.  Started our visit in rain and given that a lot of the attraction is in visiting different preserved buildings

on the site we got wet again.  Spent a very interesting day but only saw a small percentage of what there is to see given time and number of people on site. A lot of emphasis on Alan Turing

and we did manage to watch a demonstration of the Turing Bombe rebuild

with a fairly detailed explanation of how the Enigma machine worked and how the Bombe was used on a daily basis to try to work out the German Enigma settings for the day.  Caught the 16:49 back to Fenny and I took the dogs for a walk by Caldecotte lake to minature railway

and Fyne and Square hotel - restaurant.

08-24 Old Lindslade on the Grand Union

Sunday 23rd August:  A rather grey start but still very muggy. By the time we walked to Pages Park with the dogs to catch the 10:40 train it was quite pleasant and not too warm.  We traveled to Stonehenge Works behind No 778,

over six level crossings

and numerous footpaths and were late arriving due to a faulty radio and being unable to get permission to pass into the station straight away.  We decided to go back on the next train at 12:15 to give us time to have a rather quick look round the site and at the quarry,

watch a little shunting

and the digger being manouvered

and have a coffee on the platform.

The next train arrived also a little late, pulled by "P C Allen"

and we grabbed a seat in the closed car and had the carriage to ourselves

after realising it might be a problem in the open carriages with the dogs.  Just after we arrived back at Pages Park it started to rain and we had a rather quick look at the engine shed

and shop before walking back to PO in rain that was steadily getting heavier.  Luckily we had just got back on board and the rain became a deluge.Once the rain eased off about 3pm I went for a Tesco shop having to rush to complete before 4pm then when back on board I prepared to set off while Bridie unpacked and stowed the stores.  We stopped at the services back near Tesco for water and then made our way past a line of moored boats and through Leighton Lock.  By the time we got to the loop in the canal at Old Linslade it was looking like rain again and we moored up for the night (or given the weather forecast it might be longer!)

Monday 24th August:  Had 4 Wyvern hire boats pass us returning to base just above the lock we came through last night, between 7 and 8:15 this morning and they were pushing a lot of water in front of them and moving us before they arrived. So got up reasonably early despite the weather.  The rain is set in for the day by the look of it and we are just being wimps and staying dry! Unlike all the hirers coming down now  from Wyvern Shipping. We can not understand why so many of them are sounding their horn as they pass us and as they enter the bend about six boat lengths beyond us.  In the end we rang Wyvern to ask but they deny all knowledge so I can only guess the rain is getting them down and they all think of trying out their horn at the same spot!?  Also asked why they mostly seem to sport a St Georges flag on the back

which I understand to be illegal - I thought only members of the RN and the Dunkirk Little Ships Assoc were allowed to do this and that for ships at sea (but not on the Grand Union?) the Red Ensign is the flag that would be more appropriate.  Also it is the same as code flag "M" which means "my vessel is stopped and making no way through the water" !  Seems like Wyvern Shipping (!) are taking a risk supplying the flags.

08-22 Leighton Buzzard on the Grand Union Canal

Friday 21st August: Another rather depressingly grey and cool day. Came down 2 locks with nb Dignity.  Both noted these rather nice hanging baskets and the mounts at Grove Lock.  Still struggling for depth of water but managed to moor just before the old LNWR railway bridge 115A by old wharves and a waterside park.  Spitting with rain as we moored up but came to nothing yet!

Took the dogs for a walk over to the waterpark and then went into LB for lunch and a wander round the shops ending with a quick shop in Tesco.

Saturday 22nd August: A warm sunny day temperatures rising in the afternoon and clouds building but storm never arrived! We walked into LB to visit the Saturday market and generally wander round returning to PO via Pages Park to find where the narrow gauge railway is. As the afternoon got progressively hotter we did not do much other than try to stay cool however I did managed to take the dogs to investigate the sand wharf Bridie spotted yesterday.

08-20 Near Leighton Buzzard on the Grand Union

Thursday 20th August:  Moved on down another 7 locks today (on our own again and we would have had to wait a long time for another boat going in the same direction).  We moored just before Church Lock, somewhat out in the channel, although we managed to get the bow in to get dogs on and off.  All the pounds in this stretch appear to be very short of water and every one is complaining.  Having said that we have hardly seen anyone on the move either and given that we usually think of August being a very busy month on the canals we have not queued for a lock yet.

When we moored we spent about half an hour rescuing a small cruiser "Merlin" that had lost a mooring pin (if it ever had one) I fished with magnet and found a rather bent old thing that I used to secure it.  Day started with some promise and sunshine but by the time we were moored up it was rather grey and depressing again (no chairs out on the towpath tonight).

08-19 Marsworth on the Grand Union

Wednesday 19th August:  Once Bridie had done a quick shop for milk and rolls in Whilstone Community Shop we set off up the 8 locks to the top of the arm.  Quite sunny for this part of the trip and we turn left onto the Grand Union after the staircase immediately stopping for water on the left.
Got rather splashed with wet cement dust down the side of the boat as they were cleaning windows and balconies on the new houses. Once topped up we moved on past a line of boats on the moorings that were empty last week. Had a fight to drop Bridie off at the next bridge hole to dispose of rubbish with a moored boat and fishing match in the way, as well as wind starting to prove to be a problem.  Went down the next two locks (38-37) and decided to moor just below as weather was deteriorating.  Rain arrived about 4pm and it was only 16 degrees inside the boat so we lit a fire to keep warm.  Note smoke from chimney!  Not sure what the air vent on hillside to left of picture is ?

08-18 Whilstone on Aylesbury Arm

Tuesday 18th August: We moved again today but only after I completed polishing the starboard side of the boat. It was dull and gloomy for most of the day with temperature around 13 in the morning lifting to 16 degrees by afternoon. Came across a gang of workmen on lock 10 injecting sealant into the lock walls to try and prevent water loss. Moored up just above lock 9 and went for  awalk in the afternoon with the dogs to Whilstone reservoir.  However Mabel trod on a wasp which stung her in her rear paw and we then had a three legged dog feeling rather sorry for herself and decided to retreat back to the boat o put some vinegar on it.

08-17 Broughton on the Aylesbury Arm

Sunday 16th August: Not a very good nights sleep, mainly due to ducks drilling down both sides of the boat (feeding on the weed attached to the hull) and also due to revelers returning to the Travel Lodge hotel and their voices making a lot of noise echoing across the basin.  Had a slow start to the day and waited for Waitrose

to open at 11am (never moored so close to a main entrance).  Ronnie Barker was waiting as well!  A generally sunny and warm day with cloudy spells. Once shopping complete and while Bridie was busy trying to stow the provisions I turned PO and moored on the water point to top up before setting off back up the arm.  Only went up three locks and past Circus Field basin before finding a suitable mooring above bridge 14 with no road noise, no railway and only limited Sunday walkers and cyclists.  Had lunch and chilled out on the towpath until some grey cloud took over and the temperature dropped about 6pm.

Monday 17th August:  Another sunny morning after a good nights sleep with only minor air traffic to mar the peace.  We stayed put and caught up with some boat cleaning and dog trimming today.  I washed  down the starboard side and then repainted the black band under the gunwales, finishing the tin and finding that the last tin I bought was not black but a very dark blue (I really must stop going out and buying stuff without my glasses on - last week I locked the pin on my credit card - not because I could not remember it but because I misread the card machine three times in a row because I hadn't got my glasses with me!).  I also polished about half the length of the starboard side.  The weather was not exactly summer as the cloud built up during the afternoon and it became decidedly cool.  Quite a surprise to see three hot air balloons passing by during the evening.

08-15 Aylesbury Wharf

Saturday 15th August: Weather improved today as promised although thankfully it wasn't too hot and took a while to dry out this morning. We got up early (about 6:30) and were entering the top lock of the staircase at 7:45.  We made very reasonable progress down the 16 locks and into Aylesbury with no problems - having read a letter in a recent magazine we were expecting problems with locks and lack of water but all was fine.  We only passed three boats going the other way and three boats followed us into the empty basin during the afternoon (empty apart from one small boat which looks as if it has been left for sale).  Spent the afternoon walking our feet off round Aylesbury town and finding how much it has changed since I was last here 40+ years ago!

08-14 Marsworth Junction on Grand Union canal

Wednesday 12th August: Rain eventually stopped overnight and it was dry this morning.  Made ready and set off up the arm about 10am and then descended the flight of seven, locks to Marsworth Junction on our own, passing just two boats going up.  Headed across the junction to the services where new apartments are in final stages of completion where the boatyard once was.  Filled up with water and emptied elsan then reversed across the junction to moor up for tonight.  Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow.  We walked the dogs to Marsworth reservoir and then down the Aylesbury arm to lock 9 and visited the Half Moon at Wilstone for a late lunch (or early dinner)!  The coroners court was held in here for the inquest into the death of the last witch ducking in England (she drowned)  see http://www.lemonrock.com/halfmoonwilstone

Thursday 13th August:  Heavy rain and thunder was forecast today but has not appeared yet (11am) but finally arrived just before 1am.  In point of fact the Met Office had it wrong again,  not only was it later starting than they said but it was never really heavy and the towpath is still reasonably dry but it has been miserable and grey all afternoon and we had another shower when we finally decided to take the dogs for a walk.   Bridie tackled her jigsaw again and I read another book and we generally tried to stay dry.   Doesn't feel much like summer today. Heavier rain arrived this evening and the towpath now has puddles forming which I suppose makes the Met Office weather warning about surface water about right!

Friday 14th August:  Another grey wet miserable day and we decide that we will stay put in the hope that tomorrow is a better day for descending the flight of locks to Aylesbury.  I walked down to Wilstone in rather drizzly rain again to find the local community village shop for some basics. Met up with Brian & Sue coming back up the branch at lock 5 having successfully visited Aylesbury.  

08-11 Little Tring at the present end of the Wendover Arm

Monday 10th August:  The rain promised for this morning appeared to be delayed in it's arrival.  The forecast was updated to promise its arrival about 12 rather than 9am.  So after a brief excursion down the first stretch of the Wendover Arm with the dogs we decided to move on with PO and explore hoping to moor up before the rain arrives.  In the event we navigated the last few metres to the winding hole in the rain light at first but getting heavier.  Managed to turn despite a wind pushing us the wrong way and got moored up and pram hood up before the rain got too heavy.   The start of the branch is a bit unexciting as the hedges on both sides deny any view however after bridge 2 by a rather large working flour mill it opened out and we could see the fields and rural nature of the canal.  The moorings at the end of the canal have a decent hard edge but no mooring rings and a lot of it is on a bend but we managed to find  a nice straight edge and may well take advantage of the 48 hour limit to explore more of the Wendover canal on foot. The rain lasted until about 3pm and we then set off for a walk with the dogs back along the towpath to the mill we had past this morning. Later in the evening I went off for a quick explore to find where we can join the towpath towards Wendover as it does not carry on at the terminus as we thought it would.   Encountered a police presence on the bridge looking for  a jogger (not just any jogger but one in black shorts) however we have not seen anyone on the towpath this afternoon so couldn't help.

Back in the 70's I worked in Aylesbury and lived in Chesham and crossed a bridge over this canal by RAF Halton twice a day.

Tuesday 11th August:  Rather grey start to the day and after a very peaceful night we had a lazy start to the day as other boats that arrived yesterday afternoon set off passing us to wind and returning past us again.  Prepared for a walking day with sandwiches & drinks in the rucksack and set off down the lane to pick up the towpath towards Wendover.  Mainly overcast and with light rain in the late afternoon it was probably better for walking than being too sunny.   We walked steadily the unnavigable length of the towpath all the way to Wendover. 
see http://www.bertuchi.co.uk/grandunioncanal07.php
Stopped for a sandwich and drink at the wide before Wendover and once there headed to High Street and had refreshments in the Swan Inn before retracing our steps back to PO.   The information board on the 48hr mooring says 8.9 km to Wendover so I guess with the hike into Wendover we must have done about 11 miles all told! We were certainly all fairly cream crackered by the time we got back to PO for a well erned cup of tea.

08-09 Bulbourne on the Grand Union Canal

Sunday 9th August: Another bright sunny summers day sometimes rather hot but mainly cooled by a gentle breeze.  We started slowly after a better nights sleep due in part to a lack of trains on the West Coast Main line (must be week end engineering possession) and less attention from ducks drilling down the side of the boat.  Waitrose opened at 10am and we went and did a small shop for milk, lemonade, tonic, ginger ale, mineral water etc (items too heavy to carry yesterday).
Said our goodbyes to Brian, Sue, Molly and Bob on  nb Moonrakers Dream, they were staying another night and going out for a Sunday lunch.  We headed up the locks soon catching up with nb Narrow Escape who had kindly waited for us at the top of the first pair we came to.  Continued on then in tandem up to the top of the flight at Cowroast where they carried on and we stopped to wait for the water tap.  Then we had a gentle potter along Tring summit pound through the cutting and leaving the railway behind at last until we arrived at Bulbourne and moored just past the old BW workshops and before the first lock going downhill again.  That is 56 locks completed since we left the Thames at Brentford.

08-08 Berkhamsted on the Grand Union Canal

Thursday 6th August: Miserable grey and drizzly start to the day but improved and by late afternoon was red hot! Set off at 10am and locked up first three locks with nb Fancy from Shepperton on the Thames.  They stopped to visit the boatyard at Winkwell and we proceeded through the swing bridge and past the Three Horseshoes (we visited this pub back in the 70's to arrange one of our first canal trips together). Shortly after we passed and then nb Moonrakers Dream caught up with us to go through the next few locks.

We both moored at Berkhamsted

below lock 53 by the small park which provided us with somewhere to sit away from pedestrians and cyclists.

Very close to Berkhamsted station we had a good view of the Penilono's hurtling through on the viaduct.

We were initially crowding out two other boats, both of which indicated they were moving on.  Once established and recuperated with lunch we set off to walk back to the Rising Sun two locks back together with the crew of nb Moonrakers Dream - Brian and Sue with Collie  called Molly and Jack Russel called Bob for a well earned pint or two.  Later in the evening Bridie and I enjoyed the fish a chips I went and purchased at the fish bar across in the station!

Friday 7th August:  Decided after a late start and poor sleep to stay put and explore Berkhamsted.We went for a wander round the town centre in the morning wandering round some of its more interesting shops and buying some goodies in a very nice bakery (including some lardy cake - haven't seen that on sale for years).  After lunch we walked the dogs round the Castle grounds

with a grandstand view of the railway

and included a brief look at the station on the way back to the boat and noted how far over the Pendilino's tilt on the approach to the station.

Spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out in the chairs with the four dogs enjoying some freedom and ball games in the park.   Bridie and I then went for a bit of a walk trying to find somewhere to eat ending up at The Crown in the High St after finding that Friday evening in Berkhamsted is pretty busy and most places were heaving.  The Crown was cheap and food unexciting but ok BUT as usual we had to endure a very loud conversation at the table behind us with two females who had to use the F word rather frequently and thought every one in the pub was interested in their holiday plans and exploits.

Saturday 8th August: Hot and sunny most of the day with a little light cloud.  Bridie walked into town to explore the market with Sue while Brian and I relaxed with the dogs in the park.   After Bridie came back from town with a few goodies we both did a shop at Waitrose to replenish various dwindling stocks of food and also bought a Curry for tonight's meal After lunch  I spent some time cleaning down the roof again after we had started to collect tree rubbish and sticky sap to  collect the dirt.  The narrow boat pair Kangeroo and Australia passed through this afternoon

and Bridie managed to get a rather nice film of them exiting lock 53 as a pair whilst only opening one gate! (unfortunately too big to add here)