Milton Keynes

It was a grey day but not as windy and it remained dry. at times the sun made a brave attempt to break through!

A little while before we set off we were passed by the two boats tied together side-by-side that had held us up in Stoke Bruerne locks yesterday. Although it was a while before we set off, it was not long before we found ourselves crawling along behind them. They made no attempt to allow us to pass, even at a marina entrance where there was more than enough space. Eventually a queue of at least three boats built up behind them but nothing seemed to deter them from blocking our progress.

However, at a narrow section they found themselves in difficulty avoiding a boat coming the other way and forced themselves onto the bank. As a result they had little option but to allow us to pass.

Cosgrove Lock

When we arrived at Cosgrove Lock we learned from the boat that shared with us that they had had to follow the pair through Blisworth Tunnel yesterday - they were 'in'line' but appeared to have little idea of how to control either boat, both of which lurched from side-to-side and took forever!

Iron Trunk Aqueduct

Shortly after clearing Cosgrove we passed over the Iron Trunk Aqueduct - which has been the subject of a campaign to allocate funds to allow it to be re-painted for the first time in ages.

New Apartments in Wolverton

We were now into the outskirts of Milton Keynes which remains a generally pleasant experience although the re-development of Wolverton is still in progress. New blocks of apartments have risen on one side but some of the old workshop buildings await a use. The long mural remains an interesting feature.

Railway Mural, Wolverton

After stopping at the services in Great Linford we continued on to Campbell Park where we planned to overnight so that Mike can catch a train tomorrow to retrieve the car. He to bought tickets on-line - a strange and wondrous process that seems to offer the same tickets for widely different prices and not allow the purchase of others that are listed as 'best buy'.

We caught a bus from a nearby stop - Cricket Green Roundabout - to the station where the tickets could be retrieved from a machine. Another bus took us back to the shopping centre where we spent a little time at the Cornerstone, the city centre church which we were involved in planning over twenty years ago. Then to the shops, mainly Waitrose for a few more items, especially some for roast vegetables tonight. Yet another bus trip returned us to Cricket Green - the power of bus passes!

12.5 miles - 1 lock