11th July 2011 - The beer's all gone!

Schoolboy error! No beer!! Will have to drink Stella and Strongbow, oh, and white wine!!! Hmm... and there's some spirits in the cupboard, In think I can last the day. Off at 0730 and quickly into my sort of lock.

Grove Lock:

Through Leighton Buzzard and a wonderfully timed arrival at Leighton lock, half a dozen Wyvern hire boats were in the process of locking up to return to base at 0900 and I got myself locked down without turning a windlass. I suspect they had all overnighted at The Globe.

The Globe:

I've been in here a number of times, including during a power cut. Always been excellent food. I notice there are many moorings around here too, I'll bear that in mind.

I cruise the couple of mile to the 'Three Locks' and for some reason do not keep the pub photo theme going. I set the lock and a couple sitting on the bridge ask if they can help. So I put my instructors hat on and get them closing gates and opening paddles and stuff, help is always welcome. As I drop down the first lock, another boat arrives at the top, so I move into the second and wait for them, the weather is good and there's no rush. They join me, the original help giving up after the top lock, and we lock down. We pass two boats coming up from the bottom and on I go. The countryside is still really nice around these parts. I drop through Stoke Hammond lock, notice someone has converted the pumphouse into a dwelling! and carry on to Fenny Stratford. A bit of confusion here, there's a widebeam locking through and two other narrowboats waiting. It turns out the narrowboats both want water, so it's me next. There's an old guy at the lock with a windlass, seems he's just helping out, so I take full advantage yet again! An odd lock this, it's only a 1 foot drop and theres's a swingbridge across the middle.

Fenny Stratford lock:

Then to that conglomerate which is Milton Keynes. whatever your opinion, they've done a good job along the side of the canal. A footpath for much of the non towpath side and lots of parks and green areas, some of them nearly tempt me to stop! So I do, to grab beer (well Stella(see above)) and rolls from the galley for a spot of lunch. Past the impressive looking Linford Wharf, I think I could live here!

Great Linford Wharf:

I get out into the country a bit (MK is only a mile or two away) and decide I've had enough for the day, it's been a bit hot.

I'm 31 miles from Braunston:

I'll regret writing this, but only two other boats have gone past since I stopped two hours ago. I water and dead head the petunias and plan my destination for tomorrow. Surprisingly peaceful here.

Today:   16 miles -    7 locks -  7.5 hours
So Far: 481 miles -379 locks - 241 hours