Braunston to Marsworth

Ebony's test results still had not been received at 9am on Saturday 18 May, 5 days later, so at 9.30 I set off to travel south down the Grand Union.  Quarter of a mile on at Braunston locks I joined another single hander on 30' nb Gadgit's Coral.  He suggested we breast the two boats, I drive and he worked the locks.  The first time I had driven 2 boats but we fair sped up the hill.  Steve (Gadgit) is a fast mover - has even done the Channel to France in his 30'er!  In Braunston tunnel I was struck by a boat coming towards me - no front light but a hand-held large one at the back - so no wonder I didn't see his front until he hit me - nb Isambard Kingdom Brunel - I was not impressed - especially as his lad laughed as we passed.

After a quick lunch I went on to Buckby Top Lock where I was joined by a couple on nb White Heather who were pleased share locks.  Halfway down we passed my old friends Tom and Christine on nb Lottie who I hadn't seen for 5 years - when we were travelling on the Great Ouse.  I moored at the bottom of the locks opp Whilton Marina and they walked down for a cuppa and catch up - it was great to see them.  Photos were taken of the reunion!

Next day I visited the local Garden Centre, then Farm Shop and after that walked round to have a wonderful 2-course Sunday Lunch at the Marina's Lock Cafe - run by a lovely boating friend Sandy from nb Stanley.  After lunch I set off to moor at Weedon - on the embankment high above the small town and nearly as high as the church roof!

On Monday morning I rang the vet - she feels Ebony probably shouldn't go back on her Cushings' tablets and with her spleen tumour probably affecting her levels, she should be left as she is.  So I don't need to get the 2 buses back to Daventry (my last chance from Weedon without going via Northampton) and I can continue my journey.

I travelled to Gayton Junction where I lunched and then walked Ebony round to the marina - unfortunately friends Roger and Pip I had met last June at Hopwas were not aboard their boat nb Windsong so I returned to my boat and carried on.  After the long 3,057 yd and double crooked Blisworth Tunnel (very glad to get out of there - only met one boat) I got the last good mooring at Stoke Bruerne and moored next to nb Dreams from Devizes.

Next day I approached Stoke Bruerne lock which was being prepared by 2 volunteer lockkeepers and I was joined by a hire boat from Gayton Marina - steered by a regular boater for his excited Uncles and Aunts and friends on their first trip.  Soon we were joined by a 3rd volunteer (only 1 other boat in the flight) and fairly sped down these locks.  All stopped for water - opp my winter fuel boat nb Towchester on its home mooring.  I continued on to go through Cosgrove village and at the lock met another boat leaving - a friend, Sylvia on nb Artlenburg (now featured in BMW adverts!).  I moored below opposite nb Regency which used to belong to Bob and Carol - sadly the boat doesn't look as good as when they owned it.  Sylvia and I shared lunch, nattered most of the afternoon and arranged to eat out at the local hotel.  Very strange - despite having no vacancies the bar/restaurant were empty - everyone was at the Jane McDonald concert in Milton Keynes.  I do seem to be doing a lot of socialising this week!

Wednesday 22 May  Have been having the occasional late evening fire but at 6am when Ebony got me up (as usual) I lit it again - perishing cold!  1 mile of cruising brought me to the outskirts of MK - but another 3 miles on is a lovely rural area where I often moor - now it is overlooked by a row of houses on the hill - and the cows are gone too!  The next MK section is mostly park-lined with smart housing estates.  Then I reached Campbell Park - a huge recreational area, with moorings beside large pond - very attractive.  Stayed there for 2 days.  It takes 25 minutes to walk up to the MK Centre shopping area, 5 minutes to bus down to the moorings.  Next day I cycled up - 15 minutes, but 12 down!  By breaking my shopping trips into 2 I saved my poor knees on the solid floors and Ebony was only left for 2 x 2+ hour stints.  Meanwhile we enjoyed lovely strolls around the park.  Very cold tho - fires needed all day now!

On Friday I travelled the 4 lockless miles to Fenny Stratford - an uninteresting, dying area but only 2 miles from Bletchley Park - famous for the Enigma code breaking during WW2.

It is now Saturday 25 May and a Bank Holiday weekend - so I set off through Fenny S lock - helped by one of my kind neighbours and then on to Stoke Hammond lock - very quiet.  A mile or so later I got to Soulbury 3 locks flight - very close to each other - but Joy oh Joy - the IWA were having a fundraising lock wind and I was surrounded by volunteers who sped me up the locks - for a fee - no problem there!  I continued on and moored 2 miles on at Old Linslade.  A lovely mooring where the canal opens into a lake with a bridge and church ahead of me, rolling hills beside.  Probably best I don't moor in the town this BH weekend!  After lunch I emptied my roof troughs of daffodils, tulips and still flowering pansies (now in a separate pot) and planted with petunia, lobelia and bacopa for the summer - plus tomatoes.  Have also various seeds growing ready to plant out later - marigold (to protect tomatoes from greenfly), swiss chard, spinach, dwarf french beans, lettuce, etc

Sunday I continued on to moor right outside Tesco in Leighton Buzzard.  Left Ebony aboard and walked up to the High Street - found a Milletts so now have a new waterproof map case - and then returned for a top up in Tesco's.  Made lunch, worked 2 locks (one with Canadians on nb Bobby Dazzler which they move at weekends) and then moored below Slapton lock - and next to nb Barrel of Ale last seen in Milton Keynes.

Monday 27 BH - was getting ready to go when I was passed by nb Calisto? Pearl and accompanied them through 8 locks - Jenny was on a keep fit mission and managed to get paddles up before I could get the boat tied and run to the lock to help!  They turned round and I continued through 2 more locks to moor by Tring reservoirs 1 up from the bottom of Marsworth locks - and here I will stay for 2 nights - it is due to blow rain all day on Tuesday!  The rest of the week is not too good either :-(

Tuesday - had a walk up the next 6 locks to the narrow partly restored Wendover Arm - built to bring the water from the reservoirs and feed the summit level - for the locks each way - north and south.

Starting Cruise 2013

Had a great, if cold and snow covered, winter in Braunston with plenty of visits, plus Christmas and New Year,  away with family and friends.  After Easter and 2 birthdays in Lancashire, then a wedding and time with grandchildren in Sussex/Kent, I eventually set off from my winter mooring.  My elderly (15 1/2) dog Ebony has quite a few health problems - she already had colitis, weak back legs (after tearing cruciate ligaments 6/7 years ago), Cushings Syndrome and in January had been diagnosed with a tumour on her spleen.  I decided to have a chilling time on the Ashby - just 3 short cruise days away - and see how I felt about travelling this summer with/without a poorly dog.

Had a lovely time there - enjoying short cruises between moorings and exploring the villages near to the canal - Eb can't walk too far.  Met up with friends and family in Shackerstone - in very windy weather.  At the end, just beyond Snarestone, I spent a couple of days, washing and polishing 1 side of boat and walking a short way up the unrestored section.  I got to Ilott Wharf - just a big flattened bend with no signs of buildings etc.  After a rest for Ebony we walked, very slowly, back to the boat. 

That afternoon I cruised back to Snarestone and in the morning took the bus to Measham.  Very interesting - walked to find where the canal went under the High Street, then to the south found 3 bungalows and a school playing field on old route, and where it then enters countryside.  Cut across to find the dismantled railway which is how the future canal will enter the town and passed old engine sheds (Harvey Boatbuilders installed - just waiting for the canal to arrive!).  The old station is a very interesting small local museum plus a marvellous collection of Measham ware.

On way back stopped overnight to explore Market Bosworth again and then to have 48 hours at Sutton Cheney (entrance to Bosworth Battlefield).  Here I was able to polish boat and have a walk along well worn paths to the very interesting battlefield visitor centre.  Of course it is now known that the battle took place a short distance away!

At good moorings nr Stoke Golding I walked up the hill to Dadlington - a lovely village and a superb pub (Dog and Hedgehog) - I sat in lovely sunshine to enjoy a glass of wine and a huge bowl of mussels.  Ebony enjoyed a good rest too!  Then explored their nearby tiny church (where battlefield burials are thought to be) which happened to have a Flower Festival - what a treat!  Next day I walked up to Stoke Golding - such a difference.  A mostly uninteresting village where the small shop has finally closed - 8 years ago they had hardly any stock, mostly tins.  The PO next door is still running.

Found that very windy weather was on its way so the next day I put in some travelling hours covering 20 miles and a long day, with a few stops for the dog!   Eventually moored at Easenhall.  Next day I went to Rugby and stayed there for 3 days in very strong winds.  Managed to spend plenty of money in Tesco's, Homebase etc!

Now back in Braunston - on Monday Ebony had a Cushings test at the vets - to see if she should go back on tablets and am now watching boats travelling to Crick Show while awaiting the results.  The vet did say she was surprised that Eb was still going, despite losing more weight and back legs weaker.  But have decided that I will carry on - she may defy all and live for a few months yet - I will have vet's phone numbers along my route, to be prepared.

So once I get Eb's results I will set off slowly down the Grand Union - to the Thames, River Wey and on to Oxford.