Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard, Grand Union Canal – Friday 31 May 2013

Another good day; it rained early in the morning but had stopped by 07:00 when I was ready to leave.  I had just pulled out when this weird low thing appeared coming my way.  It turned out to be John Wonfor on the Macmillan “Tour de Canale” 2013 on what looked like a couple of planks across two surf boards and powered by an outboard engine – you can get more details at:

macmillan.tributefunds.com/carolwonfor

Then it was onward – the sun tried hard to shine and about 9:00 it was out and has been for the rest of the day.  I saw no other boats moving around Milton Keynes until I got to Fenny Stratford (a lock with a 1foot 1 inch rise)and then no more until I got to the “Soulbury Three” flight (no prizes for guessing how many locks).  There were boats moored on both sides with enough width for two to pass – unless one is a wide-beam, coming the other way was “Moose Drool” so I went to the bank and allowed him past.  The next bit of interest was at the Wyvern Shipping Company – today is new hirer day with loads of people being shown how to operate the boats, and they are moored three abreast!

Cosgrove

Cosgrove, Grand Union Canal – Thursday 30 May 2013

Today has been a good day; it rained early in the morning but had stopped by 08:00 when I was ready to go.  Although not sunny and decidedly not May temperatures rain held off.  I have travelled 19 miles, 1 tunnel and 8 locks.  The tunnel was the Blisworth one with 5 boats passing me, one of them ruined my ‘night vision’ because it’s tunnel light was a massive searchlight aimed down the centre of the tunnel, and lighting up about 100 metres – obviously they could see but boats approaching them were blinded.  My measurement was not guess work; I based it on when I could see my shadow on the wall!!  At Stoke Bruerne top lock I saw Braidbar no 112 ‘Sir James’ and then went down the flight with ‘Hampton’ which is an old Fellowes, Morton & Clayton butty that was given hydraulic propulsion power by a previous owner.  The holiday season seems to have started although a bit late – there have been dozens of boats going the other way.  At one stage I was held up by a ‘Day Boat’ that was pootling along with all the crew looking at the wildlife – I had to keep going out of gear as I couldn’t go as slowly as they were, once I even had to go in reverse.  The steerer knew I was behind but it took him over an hour to ask if I wanted to pass.  When I’d gone past another boat also passed him.

There have been lots of waves from other boaters who recognised me (or ‘Ice Breaker’) from Crick, ‘Tempus Fugit’ and ‘Underneath the Archers’ just two.

What a surprise - the rain has started again.

Whilton Marina

Whilton Marina, Grand Union Canal – Wednesday 29 May 2013

I haven’t been deliberately ignoring you – lousy email signal (that’s my excuse and you’ll have to accept it).  However a catch up for you:

My last post was on Monday 13^th May when Jess had just arrived.  Once she was fully settled I started cleaning the towpath side of the boat (starboard) as I knew that the towpath would be on the port side at Crick.  I also repainted the black below the gunwales so that she looks reasonable to those passing.  I try to give Jess three hour-long walks a day when other dogs are not around as she jumps at them and is very, very yappy.  Of course all other boaters obey the signs that say “Keep your dog on a lead at all times”, don’t they?

On the Friday I moved to Crick a journey of 5 miles and the Watford Locks – a flight of 7 with 3 of them as a staircase (locks empty into the one below rather than into a ‘pound’).  There was a C&RT staff member who operated the locks for me.  At Crick they hadn’t put out the signs for where boats were to go so I moored near where the footbridge is usually built.

On Saturday I had to go back in to London for a lunch for the unit Past & Present Association (I’m the Chairman) so Jess was left on the boat – after a long walk and with a second one after I got back.  Virgin trains both ways and each journey only 50 minutes non-stop!!

Sunday the Marina staff came round to mark boat spaces and I discovered that the Braidbar boats (Sanity Again, Cala, Farne and Ice Breaker) were not on the list provided by Waterways World!  I made a quick call to Susan and she rang the WW office on the Monday to sort it out.  Fortuitously we were slotted in where I had moored.

During the week I spent time cleaning and tidying the inside of Ice Breaker, ready for those potential buyers (of Braidbar boats) who wanted to view a different layout.  The weather was wet and windy so we did not put the stand together until the Saturday morning.  The show has set a 14 year record – it’s been that long since they had dry weather on all three days!!  On the Monday Jules came back and collected Jess – who initially was indifferent, but then lots and lots of licks and barks.  From Jess of course.

Tuesday after the show the weather changed and it has been raining since.  I decided not to go and spent the hung around to give the commercials etc time to get away (thinking that the locks would be clear).  Some Hope!  Although the Watford Flight were ok the Buckby Flight had boats going down – there were eight in front of me and another twelve behind.  I paired up with Nick another single hander.  At Whilton he went on while I stopped for fuel and a pump-out

Norton Junction

Norton Junction, Leicester Arm (Grand Union Canal) – Monday 13 May 2013

On Saturday Jess arrived and has settled in quickly, for those who haven’t met her Jess is a brown Patterdale Terrier.  She does seem to like being on the boat but I keep her on the lead when out walking – I don’t want to explain that I’ve lost her, but there are loads and loads of interesting smells that she would prefer to be following up.  The weather was changeable first sunshine then about lunchtime some light rain then later hailstones.  I didn’t start any work while Jess was settling in.

Norton Junction

Norton Junction, Leicester Arm (Grand Union Canal) – Friday 10 May 2013

Big oops – just noticed that in my cut & paste of headings yesterday I didn’t change the date, but as no-one reads this rubbish it don’t matter!!

As there are only 7 locks today, and they are all close together, I started at 09:00 and was joined by “nb Cockney Rebel”.  This made the journey easier than I thought as the work was shared.  They have been cruising for 40 years and he used to be a lock-keeper in this area so time passed quickly with stories about deaths in the canals, ghosts in Braunston Tunnel and the various seats along this stretch.  We were at the top lock by 11:00, they moored to get a cup of tea and do domestic chores and I headed just onto the Leicester Arm and have moored about 100 meters along.  I will stay here as it will be easier for Jules to find me tomorrow when Jess visits.

It was windy on the way up but nowhere as bad as yesterday.  The day started cloudy with the threat of rain but the sun has now come out.  The Motorway and Railway are away over to the East so quietness has descended again.