29th and 30th of November 2015. To Wilton Marina via Weedon.

On Sunday we had a rendezvous with friend Carole at a pub in Weedon so set off in god time and in wind and drizzle. This is a bit of canal we are very familiar with, having spent all last winter moored near here. It runs between the M1 and East coast mainline. This farmer keeps bullocks in this strip of field between the railway and the canal and we have often seen them. Today we watched as the farmer arrived with food supplements in his Landover, something the cows obviously knew very well!

We stopped at Rugby Boats, Stowe Hill, for diesel, coal (which were much cheaper than at Gayton) and then for water. It was quite a challenge to get off the bank after the water stop as the wind was blowing across and pinning us down. However, we got free and went on, mooring by the pub in Weedon so that Carole could find us. It's always nice to catch up, even if the early dusk meant it wasn't for long.

Harold at Weedon.

That night Robin took Scooby our for a last pee and he fell in the canal (Scooby that is). He was sniffing around after voles and misjudged it. Robin managed to haul him out, even though he wasn't wearing his harness. It took a while to sort out our sopping dog and we were late to bed!

We set off late in the morning, heading for Wilton marina at the bottom of the Buckby lock flight, which is currently closed for maintenance and preventing us from going any further North. It was windy again today and Harold crabbed his way up the canal sideways. We saw lots of birds; finches and tits of all kinds and a buzzard. There was also a squirrel wobbling way out over the canal eating the berries on a hawthorn tree and we saw ducks eating crab-apples that had fallen in the water. The canal looks very brown and nondescript on first glance but there's always a surprising amount to see.

The canal doesn't look much at this time of year but there's lots going on!

We will visit the marina chandlery this afternoon and also see if the lock repairs are on schedule for re-opening on December 21st. If the marina has a space we may leave the boat here over Christmas so we can head north as soon as we return after the break. However, tomorrow we will to turn around again, we have ordered new batteries from Stowe Hill boatyard south of Weedon and we need to get back there so they can be fitted on Wednesday. After that we wait for a good day to head to Northampton.

Now its much colder, we keep the stove burning all day as well as in the evening. Whenever we stop or after his walks, Scooby is right in front of it catching the rays.

Saturday November 28th 2015. Gayton to Nether Heyford.

On Monday left Blisworth, passing this boat in which an elderly lady was living, reminding us of the Lady in the Van.

We made it to Gayton Marina, just a short way up the Northampton Arm, and left the boat to go home for a few days.

 

We returned on Friday evening to a safe but chilly boat. The fire soon warmed him up and we slept well, appreciating our good bed and mattress (much more comfortable than the one we now have at home).  

On Saturday morning we set off in a cold wind. It not being good weather to make the 13 locks up to Northampton (there's nowhere to stop, so they've all got to be done in one go), we decided to head back to the Grand Union and northwards to top up with fuel, coal and water and see if the Buckby flight is still closed. When the weather improves we will head back and make the Northampton dash.

While we were at home we bought 2 new stools and Robin varnished them. They are not quite as high or as smart as the ones that were stolen but at least he had somewhere to sit today.

 

 

Scooby, seemingly glad to be back afloat, came outside for his usual nosing over the side but kept shivering in the cold. In the end we put his coat on under his harness to keep him warm. Ah!

 

 

 

By mid afternoon the wind and rain had really set in and even our gallant captain had had enough, so we moored in a rural spot and pottered for the rest of the day. Robin painted Harold's name on the stools which will (hopefully) deter burglars in future.

 

20th - 22nd November 2015. Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth.

Friday was sunny but blowy and with definitely a bit more of a chill in the air. The first part of day was a few rural and pretty miles. Between the brown hedgerows, the fields seemed to glow green in the sunshine. Even the canal looked blue today!

Eventually we saw Stoke Bruerne above us as we approached the first of the 7 locks to take us up into the village.



Stoke Bruerne above us; 7 locks will take us up there.

As promised,we had our curry at the Spice of Bruerne on Friday night. Mixed reviews; Robin liked the chef's special but the onion bharji and the naan were burnt and the service a bit lax.

The Spice of Bruerne, just next to the top lock.

Saturday was freezing cold and with an icy wind and we decided to stay put despite the lack of G or phone service. The village is very pretty and there were quite a few people about even in the cold. We had bacon butties for (a late) breakfast at the museum café and settled in for some pottering on the boat.  Robin had a successful day in the kitchen, making bread and a cake. The canal was choppy again (it's all relative of course!).

Choppy waters even at Stoke Bruerne.

This was the coldest day we've had on the boat so far. The fire kept the living areas warm and cosy. However, because it's at the other end, the bedroom was a bit chilly with central heating time limited to preserve the batteries. Jo needed an extra jumper in bed and is seriously considering bedsocks. On Sunday morning the water in Scooby's bowl on the back deck had half an inch of ice on the top. It was a cold night.
It was still cold but without the wind so we set off in search of G and phone signal, heading through the Blisworth tunnel and into the village of Blisworth itself. Lots of boats on the move today; a weekend day and not quite so bitter as yesterday. Connections were still not great, but at least there was something, so we pulled over and moored in Blisworth. We have about a mile to go tomorrow to Gayton marina where we will leave the boat to go home next week.

Approaching Blisworth village where there is an old wharf and other canal buildings, it was once a real hub of canal industry, just as Stoke Bruerne was.

 

19th November 2015. Our stools go missing and we go to Cosgrove lock.

We spent Wednesday in Milton Keyes, shopping and going to the cinema. We went to our first matinee performance - and were about the youngest people there! It was cheaper though and we enjoyed the film; The Lady in the Van.

On Thursday morning the wind had dropped so we awoke to quiet for a change. We also found that the two painted stools we sit on at the back to steer had been stolen. So much for our zealous guard dog, he was obviously fast asleep in front of the fire. Either that or it wasn't joggers, cyclists or dogs who took them so he didn't care! The widebeam which had been moored opposite had gone, which may or may not have been a coincidence.


Our poor helmsman now has nowhere to sit!

We set off in rain (so of course more loads of laundry were put on) and Robin made a loaf. Very beautiful it was too.

 

Jo lit the fire to get the washing dry, which posed more challenges for the helmsman as the smoke poured out of the chimney as it got going.

 

Smoke drifts back to obscure the helm's view.

We meandered 6.5 miles through Milton Keynes and out the other side, stopping only to buy milk at a local neighbourhood centre. The MK boundary is marked by the Great Ouse Aqueduct.

 

Looking back at the Great Ouse Aqueduct.

The view from the Great Ouse Aqueduct - look no fences!

We moored just before Cosgrove lock and took Scooby for a bike ride. Some of the towpath was made up and good for Scooby racing but some was not, and a bit slippery! The newish moon was showing in a clearing sky as we moored and we definitely detected a red tinge as we cycled. Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day. We continue North and if we make it as far as  Stoke Bruerne tomorrow we'll have curry for dinner in the restaurant there.

A tiny moon shows itself as we moor. 

A gaggle of geese and a hint of red sky.



16th and 17th November 2015. Gusty winds and choppy waters but we make it to Milton Keynes.

The winds dropped a bit on Monday morning and we set off, stopping at Leighton Buzzard Tesco's for provisions on the way. You can bring your trolley right to the boat, so very convenient for heavy stuff like dog food and wine! The rain blew through quickly, leaving a washed out blue sky by the time we reached Leighton lock.

Evidence that Jo can operate locks and even cross lock gates (so long as the drop is not too deep)!

We spotted a romantic tree and a man (a busy boater we suspect) picking sloes with a special  hook for holding the branches down.

 

 

The leaves are nearly all off the trees now - just a few remain clinging, like those on these oak trees along the towpath.  

 

 

Gradually the skies darkened again and we moored just passed the Soulbury three locks, which we went through with the elderly crew of Just Perfick III. We have met them several times over the last couple of weeks as we are both heading for Gayton Junction. As it was pretty isolated, Robin took Scooby for a 4 mile bike ride along the towpath and he slept soundly on the bed for the rest of the evening (Scooby that is). A nice mooring but no 4G and poor phone service.

 

 



On Tuesday, we set off in rain which continued on and off for the day. Of course, this made it essential to do laundry, and 2 loads were washed and hung about. We stopped at Fenny Stratford for water and to empty the loo and then continued on to Milton Keynes. We found a mooring near the park and town centre where we moored last time, by which time we were glad to stop as the wind was blowing a gale and the canal was positively choppy! 

 

We'll stay here for a couple of days and plan to live it up by going to the cinema. Something more cheerful than Macbeth this time, though.

 

14th and 15th November 2015. Pinned down in Leighton Buzzard.

After an easy mile and a half we arrived safely in Leighton Buzzard on midday Saturday. The Leighton Buzzard Dirt Half Challenge was well underway when we arrived, with hundreds of muddy runners jogging down the towpath by the visitor moorings. Scooby (who's not keen on joggers) guarded the boat vigorously (and loudly) until the last stragglers had passed. Robin fixed the tap and Jo explored LB and got her haircut as planned and all was well. However, it grew increasingly windy and we had a restless night feeling and hearing the buffets against the boat. Fortunately Robin had taken our aerial down as the one on the next door boat was a sorry state in the morning.

Our neighbours collapsed aerial.

The wind kept up on Sunday and as the it's not much fun on a narrow boat in the wind, and possible to get blown into embarrassing corners, we decided to stay put. We'll tidy up the boat and have a lazy Sunday. Hopefully it will die down tomorrow and we'll be able to move on. We may have thoroughly exhausted the delights of Leighton Buzzard by then!

13th November 2015. To dinner at Grove Lock.

We woke to heavy rain on the roof and gusty winds so we took our time over breakfast and getting going. It gradually eased over the morning so that in fact most of our travels today were in sharp autumn sunshine.

We went 5.5 miles and went through 8 locks. Its a lovely stretch of canal and on this clear day, the ridge of the Ivanhoe Beacon made an impressive backdrop to our journey. Lots of birds about today, and the fallen leaves have opened up views through the trees and hedgerows. There was a lot to see, hear and enjoy while we were going along and while waiting for locks to fill and empty. A lovely day.

We only met two boats the whole day, and one of these was two breasted up workboats in a very narrow bridge, causing us to back up smartish!

 

We moored at Grove Lock about 3.30pm, just as the wind was getting up again, looking forward to dinner at the pub. The short journey to Leighton Buzzard tomorrow to stock up on provisions, buy a new tap to replace the leaky one in the kitchen sink and get a haircut.

 

 

 

12th November 2015. In which we visit Tring and get through the Marsworth locks.

We spent two days in our mooring and visited Tring on our bikes, visiting the natural history museum (photos of us sitting on the model of a giant tortoise are proof). The museum was interesting but rather too full of dead animals to be comfortable. Jo explored the town centre which is pretty with an assortment of old buildings and foraged some Christmas presents. Robin found the tackle shop and bought maggots with which he fished for a good long while, although catching only a small perch. He also cleaned the boat on the towpath side, with plans to do the other side tomorrow when we will be moored on the other side!

 
We set off today in sunshine and made our way back to the main Grand Union, turning north and into the Marsworth flight of locks.

Blue skies this morning

The 7 locks of the flight were all against us so going was slow, but enjoyable in the sunshine. We stopped for water, rubbish and loo emptying next to the new houses with their new occupant we met on the way down. No issues this time though, and we did turn off our engine. The sun gradually gave way to clouds, scudding along in an increasing breeze (always a challenge in a long boat).

The sky grows more interesting as the wind gets up.

We went on through locks 37 and 38, mooring in a quiet spot with just enough daylight to walk Scooby. Tomorrow we have booked dinner at the Grove Lock pub (about 5 miles and 7 locks away) and on Saturday afternoon Jo has booked a haircut in Leighton Buzzard, so we have a schedule to keep us focussed!      

Although the locks are taking us down again now, we are definitely still in the Chilterns.

9th November 2015. To Bridge number 3 on the Wendover Arm.

From discussions over breakfast a decision to visit Tring Natural History Museum emerged. As far as we could ascertain, the nearest place to moor was a bridge almost at the end of the Wendover Arm. From there it looks like a short cycle ride to the museum.  Destination decided upon, we set off through the deep cutting which marks the very top of the summit. The cutting is a good mile long and the canal goes between high banks of trees and shrubs. We saw lots of squirrels bustling around and of course a ubiquitous heron. Harold cut a trail through the carpet of leaves covering the canal.

Harold cuts a trail though the leaves.

The depth of the cutting can be seen in the height of this little bridge.

Spot the Heron!

Next was Bulbourne and the start of the Marsworth locks. However, we turned left into the Wendover Arm before the first lock. The last time we went this way, the rain came down in sheets as we turned. This time, the wind got up and turned very cold. Perhaps the Wendover Arm has it's own micro-climate. The channel is narrow and shallow and with the wind against us we crept along. Fortunately we didn't meet anyone coming the other way. We skirted the edge of Tring at the Mill which looms over the canal and made our way to bridge number three. Discretion being the better part of valour, we decided not to try turning round in the wind but just to moor up. Scooby will get a good run round the reservoirs and we'll visit the town and museum tomorrow.

The mills at Tring.

Views across to the reservoirs.

8th November 2015. Berhamstead to Tring Summit.

After a leisurely afternoon with friend Carole on Thursday, we ended up staying three days in Berhamstead. A canal volunteer tipped us off that the restored art deco cinema, The Rex, was worth a visit. We looked it up and booked tickets to see the film of Macbeth on Saturday night. We spent the days pottering about, pleased to be safely moored among civilisation as the rain came down. The cinema was beautiful and luxurious, rather in contrast to the film. It was a very nice experience. Jo also discovered an vintage fair on Saturday and Robin an Aladdins cave of a hardware shop, so everyone was happy. We also made good use of the very handy craft shop and stocked up at Waitrose, both of which are very near the canal.
Harold got covered in leaves, poor soul, and we had to give him a good sweep before we left.

There were fireworks all over Berkhamstead all weekend. Fortunately Scooby doesn't seem to mind them at all. Just joggers, cyclists, other dogs, people.....

We set off today in a grey morning, filling up with water and ditching the rubbish before we left. In 2.5 miles we went up the remaining 7 locks to get us past Cowroast lock (and an Elson point) and to the summit of this bit of canal. It will be downhill for a while now. There are good visitor moorings here and it feels quite exposed, just as a 'summit' should.

Coming into moor at Tring Summit.

Trying Summit.

We finally had to give in and did some washing today so the boat is hung about with wet clothes, along with the general muddiness. The joys of winter boating.  

5th November 2015.

An early start (for us) to get to Berkhamstead by lunchtime to meet friend Carole. 2 miles, 6 locks and a fair bit of drizzle/mud later we had clearly arrived.

 

We caught some of the sights of Berko we missed going the other way and moored in the same spot by Waitrose as last time, very convenient for our rendezvous.