Macc’s very exciting afternoon yesterday meant his sleep pattern was all out. He crashed out when we got back from the pub at about 6pm, woke up briefly for a walk and his dinner about 8, went back to sleep until his late-night wee about 10 — but then got Adrian up to go out again at 4.30am! But then he went back to sleep and we all got a lie in until 8, which is unheard of these days. Consequently it was probably about 9.30 when we set off, Flutterby having already moved off to the water point. We only went about a mile before mooring up again; we didn’t fit in the first space we tried, so we went through the narrows and banged some stakes in.
The reason we’d stopped was for a visit to Pets at Home, which is just a short walk along a footpath. We got Macc some more food, and a comb to strip out his fur to stop him shedding. A few other bits and pieces also got put into the basket. The retail park also has an Aldi, and M&S Foodhall, and a B&M, so it’s quite useful. Once back at the boat we headed round the corner to Grove Lock, which has a pub of the same name alongside. I was dismayed to see that some of their hanging basket brackets have been replaced, but some of their old narrowboat ones still remained.
Adrian walked on to Church Lock, which perhaps unsurprisingly has a church alongside — although it’s now a house.
There’s a couple of miles before the next lock, and it’s a lovely stretch of canal. Every now and then you get glimpses of the Chilterns up ahead.
We had passed a few boats so Slapton Lock was empty. We came up and moved onto the water point to fill the tank as we’d done washing this morning. Then we came through the bridge and moored up on the piling. Were opposite Hill Farm, where there have glamping pods (which for some inexplicable reason they refer to as wigwams). The website suggests they’re fully booked, so we’re expecting visitors to start arriving this afternoon.
This afternoon I took Macc for a walk along the towpath, and just a bit further on there’s a view of the Whipsnade Lion.
In other news, there’s an extra episode of The Water Road out today, which is my interview with the new chief exec of the Canal and River Trust, Campbell Robb, recorded at the Crick Show. If you haven’t heard him talking about his plans for the Trust, it’s well worth a listen. You can hear it here.
4 miles, 3 locks. (51 miles, 31 locks)