Another unseasonably sunny day saw us complete our journey to Milton Keynes where we are meeting Mandy, Tony and the kids on Saturday. The weather forecast is for more of the same so a picnic at Willen Lake sounds like a good idea.
I probably commented on our journey northwards that the canal skirts round the edge of Milton Keynes and is surprisingly rural for much of the journey. We moored near Woolstone as that is the closest point to Willen Lake, about 20 yards from our mooring is one of the possible points where the Bedford and Milton Keynes Canal will join the Grand Union, if it ever gets built! Last I heard construction was to start in 2011 and so far nothing has happened, there are still issues with some parts of the route. It is hoped it will be complete by 2031 but I won't hold my breathe!
We will now have a couple of days moored up and continue our journey on Sunday, but probably only as far as Fenny Stratford so I can stock up a bit at Asda.
Today's journey 9.9 miles and 1 lock
So far this year we have travelled 418.2 miles, 379 locks, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1148.9 miles, 1026 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
It's a hard life, but somebody's got to do it
You wake up in the morning, sun streaming though the windows, beautiful green countryside, ducks swimming past, a kestrel hunting in the field opposite, trees along the towpath laden with apples, sloes, rosehips and haws. After a leisurely breakfast you set off with the sunlight sparkling on the water at a sedate three miles per hour (or thereabouts). Hard life isn't it!
We cruised down to Blisworth tunnel in the company of two historic boats and one hire boat from Leighton Buzzard, then followed through at a reasonable pace to Stoke Bruerne, where we paired up with the hire boat to work our way down through the seven Stoke Bruerne Locks. The sunshine had brought the gongoozlers out and the cameras were clicking on the way down through the locks.
Nothing much else to say about the day, just another lazy day in the sunshine. We moored about 4 miles north of the northern edge of Milton Keynes.
Today's journey 8.3 miles, 7 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 408.3 miles, 378 locks, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1139 miles, 1025 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
We cruised down to Blisworth tunnel in the company of two historic boats and one hire boat from Leighton Buzzard, then followed through at a reasonable pace to Stoke Bruerne, where we paired up with the hire boat to work our way down through the seven Stoke Bruerne Locks. The sunshine had brought the gongoozlers out and the cameras were clicking on the way down through the locks.
Nothing much else to say about the day, just another lazy day in the sunshine. We moored about 4 miles north of the northern edge of Milton Keynes.
Today's journey 8.3 miles, 7 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 408.3 miles, 378 locks, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1139 miles, 1025 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Ever southwards
The wonderful Indian summer continues, where was this weather in July? I'm not complaining, I can enjoy it as much now as I would have then.
After months of not seeing a 'coal' boat we have seen two in the past four days, The Grand Union seems much better served than most canals. We bought a gas cylinder and a bag of coal before we moved off this morning. The coal seems redundant with temperatures in the mid twenties but as it is nearly October I thought we should start building up our stock. I don't suppose it will be that long before I want a fire that will stay in overnight.
Today was a beautiful day for cruising and we enjoyed a short cruise down to Gayton, stopping about a mile short of the junction with the Virgin trains for company. We enjoyed an afternoon sitting out on the towpath just chilling.
Today's journey 6 miles
This year we have travelled 400 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1130.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels
After months of not seeing a 'coal' boat we have seen two in the past four days, The Grand Union seems much better served than most canals. We bought a gas cylinder and a bag of coal before we moved off this morning. The coal seems redundant with temperatures in the mid twenties but as it is nearly October I thought we should start building up our stock. I don't suppose it will be that long before I want a fire that will stay in overnight.
Today was a beautiful day for cruising and we enjoyed a short cruise down to Gayton, stopping about a mile short of the junction with the Virgin trains for company. We enjoyed an afternoon sitting out on the towpath just chilling.
Today's journey 6 miles
This year we have travelled 400 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1130.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels
Monday, 26 September 2011
Back in familiar territory
Today almost had that "end of holiday" feel to it. After eighteen months of travelling canals that were mostly new territory we reached Brauston and were back on the Grand Union South where we have travelled before, not only on or outgoing journey last year but also on holiday when we were moored at Nottingham, when we brought Destiny down to Watford and when we first acquired Morgana.
The glorious weather continues and we journied up through Braunston Locks, through the tunnel and then continued down through the locks Buckby Locks. We had company for all of the locks, just as well because BW are asking you to wait up to an hour before you go through alone due to water shortages. The levels don't seem to be low but we do as we are told! We moored eventually at Weedon after a tiring day's cruising.
Today's journey 13.1 miles, 13 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 394 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1124.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels
The glorious weather continues and we journied up through Braunston Locks, through the tunnel and then continued down through the locks Buckby Locks. We had company for all of the locks, just as well because BW are asking you to wait up to an hour before you go through alone due to water shortages. The levels don't seem to be low but we do as we are told! We moored eventually at Weedon after a tiring day's cruising.
Today's journey 13.1 miles, 13 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 394 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1124.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels
Friday, 23 September 2011
Enjoying the sunshine
We started out this morning in sunshine!
Up through Calcutt locks, pausing between 1 and 2 to fuel up, at a fairly reasonable price, then onwards to Napton Junction. We had decided to stop before we reach Braunston Junction. We will probably have a couple of days off as it is time for washing and boat cleaning and this is a nice spot. This afternoon we did a bit of reorganising and tidying but the washing can wait until tomorrow.
Ray has been catching up with family by phone, a great rarity!
The weather forecast is good for the next few days so we should get some good cruising in. It looks as if it will be the last week of October before we reach Watford.
Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks
This year we have travelled 380.9 miles, 358 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1111.6 miles, 1005 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Up through Calcutt locks, pausing between 1 and 2 to fuel up, at a fairly reasonable price, then onwards to Napton Junction. We had decided to stop before we reach Braunston Junction. We will probably have a couple of days off as it is time for washing and boat cleaning and this is a nice spot. This afternoon we did a bit of reorganising and tidying but the washing can wait until tomorrow.
Ray has been catching up with family by phone, a great rarity!
The weather forecast is good for the next few days so we should get some good cruising in. It looks as if it will be the last week of October before we reach Watford.
Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks
This year we have travelled 380.9 miles, 358 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1111.6 miles, 1005 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Thursday, 22 September 2011
1000 locks
We have now done over 1000 locks since Ray retired, that's a lot of winding of paddle gear and pushing of lock gates!
We moved on to reach Calcutt locks today, as we were leaving our moorings we saw a boat approaching from behind. We would wait for them after the second lock as we were hoping to get diesel from the boatyard there. Unfortunately they no longer sell diesel so we will have to get some from Calcutt's tomorrow morning, While we were at the second lock the boat behind caught up with us, in fact there were two boats, one of which was Phoenix, who we had moored next to in Warwick.
They went past us while we investigated the diesel situation, then we followed them up the Stockton flight. We all thought that there was another boat coming but even though we took the flight slowly to allow them to catch up so we could share the locks we were half way up before they reached the bottom. I guess they must have stopped at the boatyard or for water.
Phoenix and their travelling companion stopped for lunch at the top of Stockton but we carried on to Calcutt where they passed us mid-afternoon. We won't see them again this year as they are heading south on the Oxford Canal while we head for Braunston and then south on the Grand Union.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 377.8 miles, 355 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1108.5 miles, 1002 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
We moved on to reach Calcutt locks today, as we were leaving our moorings we saw a boat approaching from behind. We would wait for them after the second lock as we were hoping to get diesel from the boatyard there. Unfortunately they no longer sell diesel so we will have to get some from Calcutt's tomorrow morning, While we were at the second lock the boat behind caught up with us, in fact there were two boats, one of which was Phoenix, who we had moored next to in Warwick.
They went past us while we investigated the diesel situation, then we followed them up the Stockton flight. We all thought that there was another boat coming but even though we took the flight slowly to allow them to catch up so we could share the locks we were half way up before they reached the bottom. I guess they must have stopped at the boatyard or for water.
Phoenix and their travelling companion stopped for lunch at the top of Stockton but we carried on to Calcutt where they passed us mid-afternoon. We won't see them again this year as they are heading south on the Oxford Canal while we head for Braunston and then south on the Grand Union.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 377.8 miles, 355 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1108.5 miles, 1002 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Radford Semele to Long Itchington, almost
After sitting out some wild, wet and windy weather yesterday we woke up this morning to sunshine and so it was time to move on. We need to reach a boatyard in the next couple of days as our diesel is running a bit low.
We travelled through the first three locks of the day, now climbing upwards again, then we stopped to take on water at Fosse Wharf. We seemed to be travelling against the flow of traffic, plenty of boats heading towards Warwick but nothing heading our way. not a bad thing as it meant either the locks were in our favour or there was a boat coming down through the lock so less work for me as they could leave the gate open as they left. We met our first wide-beam, on the move, for over a year.
The rain and wind had brought a lot of leaves and twigs down, and there was a lot of small debris in the canal so, inevitably, our weed filter got blocked. Ray now has clearing it down to a fine art! We completed our journey for the day up through the Bascote and just about half a mile beyond. So not quite at Long Itchington but within easy reach for tomorrow and hopefully getting diesel there.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 373.9 miles, 345 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1104.6 miles, 992 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
We travelled through the first three locks of the day, now climbing upwards again, then we stopped to take on water at Fosse Wharf. We seemed to be travelling against the flow of traffic, plenty of boats heading towards Warwick but nothing heading our way. not a bad thing as it meant either the locks were in our favour or there was a boat coming down through the lock so less work for me as they could leave the gate open as they left. We met our first wide-beam, on the move, for over a year.
The rain and wind had brought a lot of leaves and twigs down, and there was a lot of small debris in the canal so, inevitably, our weed filter got blocked. Ray now has clearing it down to a fine art! We completed our journey for the day up through the Bascote and just about half a mile beyond. So not quite at Long Itchington but within easy reach for tomorrow and hopefully getting diesel there.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 373.9 miles, 345 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1104.6 miles, 992 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
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