Aylesbury to Milton Keynes

Sun 29th April  Aylesbury to Marsworth

The planning for the first week has been dictated largely by the weather forecast. We had originally considered leaving on Monday, but heavy rain is forecast all day. Wednesday is also forecast wet. We need to be in the Leighton Buzzard area by Wednesday evening so that Hazel can get back to Aylesbury by bus for an appointment.  So that leaves Sunday and Tuesday as boating days.

We planned to move the boat nearer to the facilities first thing on Sunday morning so that we could load our coal bags onto the roof (not easy when the boat is moored stern on) and be ready for a quick departure straight after church. However, this morning we found our domestic batteries were flat. We discovered that someone had turned off our power supply during the working party yesterday. Our immersion heater had been on to give us hot water for showers. When the outside mains power source was switched off, the current came instead from our domestic batteries.  So we switched on the mains once more and left the batteries charging while we took part in the church service.

During our final service the leaders prayed with us and sent us on our way.  Over coffee afterwards there were many farewells, and we shall miss the people here as we travel this summer.

We moved the boat so we could load the coal as planned.  We had invited John and Ruzenka to join us for as long as they wanted, and they could walk back. We set off just before 1pm and Nigel kindly opened the lift bridge for us as we reversed out of the basin.

The last view of the canal basin

The first lock, Broughton Lock no 14

Our guests travelled with us as far as Red House Lock, and then walked back. 

John helping at Red House Lock

John, Hazel, Ruzenka

We stayed dry although it was cold and breezy. There was a lot of water coming over the lock gates at most of the locks. We met our first boat of the season, the day boat from Aylesbury Canal Society, Catalina.

Water over the lock gates

Catalina

We were excited to see our first swallows of the season, although it was impossible to take good photos as they don’t stay put.

Swallow

Approaching lock 5

The staircase pair of locks at the top of the arm

After the working party yesterday we already had aching limbs, and the final few locks were a challenge, but we made it to the top at Marsworth Junction, and we found a mooring on rings after bridge 130.  We put the hood up and waited for the forecast rain to start.

14 locks, 5 miles, 1 lift bridge

Mon 30th April  Marsworth

We had a good lie in to recover from an energetic day yesterday. We had been expecting heavy rain but we had none.  We did have some strong winds, and we stayed where we were on the rings at Marsworth.

Moored at Marsworth waiting for rain which didn’t come

Very few boats went past, but there was a strange rig consisting of what looked like a short but wide ex trip boat, towing a lifeboat.

The lifeboat being towed

Hugo met a black and white cat but there were no fights, just a stalemate stand-off.

No boating today.

Tue 1st May  Marsworth to Grove Lock

Morning sunshine and reflections

We had a lovely sunny day today, departing from Marsworth just before 10am.  Hugo was quickly up on deck to see where we were going.

Hugo keeps a lookout

We saw our first Orange Tip butterflies, as well as Brimstones, and we saw buzzards, kites, a cormorant, some more swallows, a heron very close, and some mallards with ducklings.

First wide lock of the season

The first locks were the two Marsworth Locks, followed by Seabrook Swing Bridge and the three Seabrook Locks. We met two boats travelling together, and then a widebeam with a couple who are having a “gap year” living aboard.  They were travelling very slowly so we were pleased we were going the other way!

53 miles to Braunston, where we will leave the Grand Union

A lot of the blossom is past its best after the heavy rain we have had recently, but it still looks good against the lovely blue sky. Fields of rape make the countryside dramatically yellow.

Blossom and blue sky

A yellow hill

Fields of turf

We had an unexpected rain shower at Horton Wharf, but it only lasted about five minutes. Then at Slapton Lock we shared with a man on a boat called Rymardas. He had just filled up with water which is why we caught him up. We shared Church Lock and Grove Lock with him, and moored up just below, while he continued to the Globe at Linslade.

Rain!

Sharing with Rymardas

Moored below Grove Lock

We went for a meal in the Grove Lock pub. Very good food, but service was a little slow.

After the meal we were back on the boat in the sunshine. Hugo made a fuss of us. We think he is pleased to be boating.

Hugo in the sunlight

Hugo in relaxed mode

11 locks, 6 miles, 1 swing bridge

Wed 2nd May  Grove Lock to Leighton Buzzard

Today was mostly wet as forecast, so we planned to stay where we were.  However, the rain paused mid afternoon, and we decided to go a mile downstream so that we could go shopping in Leighton Buzzard.

Leaving Grove Lock evading rain clouds

We didn’t bother putting down the hood as we had no locks to negotiate.  We stopped just short of the town, where we still had hedges instead of brick walls.

We went first to Aldi hoping to buy a stove-top fan which we have heard about. Sadly, but not surprisingly, they had sold out. They sell for £12.99, whereas we paid around £100 for ours. We missed out on this offer last time as well. When we are boating it takes several days to get to an Aldi.

We stocked up with lots of other things, and also visited Tesco before returning to the boat.

1 mile, 0 locks.

Thu 3rd May  Leighton Buzzard to Three Locks

After a leisurely start we went to the bus stop and caught a 165 to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It went through several villages and paused at Aylesbury Bus Station before we were able to alight at the hospital for a diabetic eye examination for Hazel.

While we were there we met a lady who knows Jonathon Hayward (ex Canal Ministries, who used to have Kairos, and now lives in Belfast). She was there to help her 86 year old father with his appointment.  After the appointments they squeezed us into her Honda Jazz with his wheelchair and walking frame, and gave us a lift back to Leighton Buzzard. There are some very delightful people around.

The lady in the Jazz

We bought a few more items in Aldi and Tesco, and returned to the boat.  We set off as soon as we could, and went past the long straight where there are usually around fifty ducks (only about ten today) and past the Wyvern Shipping hire boat base.

Passing clues to previous industry in Leighton Buzzard

Wyvern hire fleet

We used to Leighton Lock which was against us and needed filling first, and then we followed the twisty canal past the Globe Inn and near the railway.

Leighton Lock

Globe Inn

Dandelions which seem to be in profusion this year

Heron flypast

Ducklings

As we neared the Three Locks, a man on a moored boat called Sorted asked us if we were going down the locks. We said “Not this evening”. He said he was going to move down to moor beyond the work boat. Well the work boat was only three boat lengths away, and we pulled in there as there was nowhere else to moor except on the lock bollards. We assumed he would stay where he was, but he didn’t, and he ended up on the lock bollards for the night. Why he moved we don’t know.

Moored by Three Locks

Hugo was ashore before we even turned off the engine.  We walked down to the Three Locks pub and had a meal. The food was very good, but the service was poor, as our main course came before our starter. We cancelled the starter and had dessert instead, and that was on the house in the end. Although the Nicholson Guide says that they serve real cider, the only apple cider was Aspalls, which is very gassy. Tomorrow they have a music and beer festival starting, when they have twenty ciders available in a beer tent.  We will be in Milton Keynes by then.

Three Locks pub

Three Locks by night

1 lock, 4 miles

Fri 4th May  Three Locks to Milton Keynes

There were some early starters this morning, and one boat down the locks before anyone was up.  Another, called Infinity, shared the top lock with Sorted. We thought there was another boat coming up, but it turned out to be Sorted returning after turning round one lock down, where the canal is wider. 

James helped him through, and we went down with no other boat to share with.

In the middle lock

The bottom lock

Soon after the bottom lock we found Infinity moored up. Then about a mile further on we descended through Stoke Hammond Lock which needed to be filled first.

Stoke Hammond Lock

Then we were at the start of the twelve mile meandering canal around Milton Keynes. The old hump back bridges are still preserved and used for walkers and cyclists, while the traffic goes over large wide new bridges much higher above the canal.  This means the canal goes through a green corridor with trees, bushes and parkland in many places.

These trees are very poplar

We descended through Fenny Stratford Lock, where the swingbridge over the top has to be swung each time a boat goes through.

Fenny Stratford Lock

We moored near Milton Keynes Marina, and we spotted a boat called Out and About, owned by a South African guy called Tudor. We have met him a few times before.  He wasn’t around, but we moored near him.  Infinity eventually went past.

Moored in Milton Keynes near Out and About

5 locks, 6 miles, 1 swing bridge

Next: Shopping tomorrow (Saturday) and on Sunday a visit to MKCC (Milton Keynes Christian Centre.  Stoke Bruerne by Tuesday, and Braunston by the following Sunday.

Farewells and preparations in Aylesbury

The last month has been a time of winding down our time in Aylesbury, and gearing up for our departure on our summer cruise.

The life group we have been leading ended as intended just before Easter. It has been a good time of getting to know a few people in more depth, while at the same time studying scripture and having good discussions.

Then on Palm Sunday we led the worship for the last time this season, and on Easter Sunday we played in support of Jack who was leading.  Our final worship team practice was on 18^th April, and the team prayed for us for our mission work in the summer.

We have also been having farewells on the folk music scene.   At Chesham Folk Club, which meets every Monday, at the Half Moon at Wilstone where there is a session on the third Sunday each month, and at the Cock Inn at Wing where a session happens every other Tuesday.  We have made some friends in these places and we will miss them until we catch again in November.

Cock Inn session

We also went to see Suntrap perform in Bracknell.  It was good to see our good friend Sue Graves again.  We also caught up with Barry and Adline, and Vicky and Ernon who had come from Salisbury and Godalming respectively. We put one of Suntrap’s songs on YouTube.  Here is the link. Sue is the one on the left.

Some of our boating friends have already left the Canal Basin.  Simon and Pat on Daedalus left in early April when there was a lot of wet weather, and rivers were not navigable. Instead of getting to Reading for a wedding, they had to keep off the Thames, so they stayed in London and took public transport to the wedding.

Daedalus leaving, with Pat at the bows, and Simon at the helm

Then the weather changed and we had some incredible days of hot sun.  Tim and Hilary set off on Willowbrook and we saw pictures of them having barbecues as they head slowly north.

Willowbrook departs

We discovered that a BCF boat, Ichthus, was in the town basin. They were not aboard so we sent a text to John and Jane Pescod, and they replied but we didn’t get the reply until after they had left. We met them for a drink in the Half Moon at Wilstone. It was good to see them again.

Ichthus in Aylesbury Town Basin

When the dry weather arrived we let Hugo out at last after three months being confined to the boat because of his broken leg.  When we opened the doors and encouraged him out he looked incredulously at us as though he couldn’t believe his good fortune. His leg is much better, and his hair is slowly growing back where it was shaved for the operation he had.  Two days later he caught his first mouse of the season, so he must be OK.

Hugo’s first day out

Enjoying the sunshine

We had a good sort out of clothes, and packed the winter things under the bed in vacuum bags, and brought out some summer items. In hindsight, maybe that was premature, as rain, colder temperatures and wind returned a few days later.

We made the most of the warm weather by visiting some National Trust places with friends.  We went to Greys Court with Jack and Sandra, Ascott House with John and Ruzenka, and Hughenden with Eric and Norma. All this in the space of six days. We each have life membership, and can take a guest each.

Daffodil at Ascott House

John, Ruzenka, Hazel

Lovely flowers at Ascott House

Ascott House

Part of the garden at Ascott House

Norma, Eric, Hazel at Hughenden

Benjamin Disraeli’s Grave

Celandines

We drove to Maggie and Clive’s place in Suffolk and had a very pleasant two nights there. Their bluebells and king cups were in full swing and the place was looking good. We had a lovely meal with them in a bistro on the waterfront in Ipswich. We returned by train on Friday, leaving our car off the road and under a cover for the summer. 

Maggie and Clive’s farmhouse

King cups

Bluebells

A tree in the sunset

Sat 28th April

Our final full day in Aylesbury started for James with a men’s prayer breakfast at More+, the cafe belonging to the church.  Meanwhile Hazel went to collect a final prescription from the chemist.

This was followed by a work party in the canal basin. Hazel helped to prepare a brunch for the workers, while James was employed jet washing the ramp to the dry dock, and repairing barbecues.

Clean ramp

We lit the fire once more on the boat, and hung James’s wet clothes up to dry.

The day ended with the bar opening, and a fish and chip supper.

Next: Church tomorrow morning, and a departure from the basin at about 1pm.

Change of plan. Which way now?

The delayed departure and changed route

Our original plan was to leave Aylesbury on Mon 2^nd or Tue 3^rd April.  With the extra time needed for Hugo's leg to heal, we now plan to depart on Monday 30^th April.

Our first destination we hope will be the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival (FABFest) in the middle weekend of June. Last time, two years ago, we moored at Middlewich Narrowboats, which was a very central location, and all the facilities were at hand.

The plan was to go from there along the Shropshire Union (Middlewich Branch) to get to Ellesmere on the Llangollen Canal, where we have a mission in July.

Originally proposed route in red

Two problems have arisen which mean our plans will need to change.

The first problem is that Middlewich Narrowboats have ceased trading, and their site is awaiting someone to take over the business. So we can’t book a mooring there at the moment. They also had the only elsan facility in Middlewich, and if that is out of action, many boaters attending the festival will have difficulties.

Our mooring last time at Middlewich Narrowboats

The second problem has happened in the last three weeks.  A large hole has appeared in the Middlewich branch, and a major section of the bank and towpath have been washed into the River Wheelock below, stranding about twenty boats. The breach is marked on the map below with a red circle. They have closed the waterway for about a mile between the locks either side of the breach, marked with yellow circles.  This section is the route we were going to take after the festival., and the closed section accounts for about half the available public moorings in Middlewich.

The location of the breach

The breach from the air (borrowed from Canal and River Trust - see link here

One alternative is to go back south down the Trent and Mersey Canal, and come north again up the Shropshire union. This involves 84 miles, 102 locks, and 52 hours instead of 10 miles, 4 locks and 5 hours by the original route.

Plan B

Or we could go via the Anderton Boat Lift, the River Weaver and the Manchester Ship Canal and to come in at Ellesmere Port. This would mean 54 miles, 24 locks and 22 hours.  Although the shortest alternative, it involves having a certificate of seaworthiness, and paying fees to the Manchester Ship Canal.  We would need to get Weston Marsh Lock opened for us, and going into Ellesmere Port we would have to arrange with Canal and River Trust for the Lock to be unpadlocked, and with the local council for the swing bridge to be operated. It is all a bit preplanned, just for seven miles of the Manchester Ship Canal.

Plan C

The other effect of the breach is that about half of the moorings for Middlewich have been made unavailable.  If we can’t moor at the old Middlewich Narrowboats site, then we will take a different route altogether, up the Shropshire Union instead of the Trent, turn right at Barbridge Junction, and go to Aqueduct Marina for a few nights. From there we can go to the festival using a hire car.

Plan D

So we wait to see what is happening.  Meanwhile we have about five weeks before we need to make the decision, which will depend on what is happening at Middlewich Narrowboats.

After further correspondence with Canal and River Trust, I received this reply on 9th April:

"...it is still too early to say at this point whether the (Middlewich Narrowboats) site will be occupied in time for the event.

Unfortunately at the moment we are unable to guarantee anymore elsan facilities for the event.

Due to the work being planned on the Middlewich branch, it is also too early to be able to guarantee moorings due to work being carried out at the time of the event. We will however try to accommodate boats on the T&M and around the Middlewich area.""