The plan for today was just a short hop, but we’ve ended up coming further. It was also much cooler today which has been nice. Our country mooring was so in the undergrowth that the side of the boat had pollen all over it when we left. We got under way at about 9.30. The farm at the first bridge has had a Ford Anglia parked outside the whole time we had our base down here (and we moved to Thrupp Wharf in April 2012) — and it’s gone from beautiful to very sad looking.
We passed Thrupp Wharf, but didn’t manage to see if anyone has taken over our berth. There seemed to be lots of different boats in there, so it was a job to spot where we were.
At Cosgrove, a boat which had been moored on the towpath by the bridge for a couple of years is still there. The bridge still looks nice though.
At the lock, there’s a work boat moored on the landing, so Adrian jumped off at the narrows.
Once in the lock we spotted a boat coming along behind, so waited for it. It was a woman heading for a mooring at Milton Keynes Marina. Our planned stop had been on the moorings below the lock, before Wolverton Aqueduct. We tried in three different places but couldn’t get the whole bot near the bank at any of them; there always seemed to be something half way along that we pivoted against, and we concluded that this was probably the reason the spots were free! Having wasted quite a lot of time trying all these places we decided we’d carry on instead, so we headed across the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, through Wolverton (which has provided us with plenty of moorings for the station and Tesco over the years, past the railway mural, and over the Grafton Street Aqueduct.
By crossing the Ouse at the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, we’d also crossed from Northamptonshire into Buckinghamshire which must surely mean that we’re out of the midlands and into the south. The extraordinary house at New Bradwell is having yet more building work done. We’re convinced it will never be finished.
Our new target was before Bridge 75 at Stanton Low. It’s one of those places that can be either completely full or completely empty. Today there were just two boats here, so we picked a fairly straight bit of piling and had no difficulty getting to the side.
One reason for stopping here was because it’s so good for Macc, with parks both sides of the canal. After lunch, we headed over the bridge to the huge open space between the canal and the housing estate. We all walked the first bit, then Adrian went to Asda to get some fresh salad stuff while Macc and I turned down one of the grassy paths so he could go off the lead. It’s ideal for him, with very few people around, mown paths, and grass that’s a bit too long for him to stray into. If anything, it’s better for him than the country park by the aqueduct.
Later on we’ll take him for a run around on the field on the towpath side of the canal. He really will be spoilt for choice.
6 miles, 1 lock. (31 miles, 22 locks)