Milton Keynes

Although it was a rather grey day the promised rain all day did not materialise. Before we set off, Mike walked to the village shop to pick up a paper.


Blisworth Village

The large apartment block by the main road bridge was originally built by Pickfords who were, at one time, an important canal carrier. It served as a bonded warehouse for a time.

Former Pickfords Canal Warehouse

Passing boat in Blisworth tunnel

In a short distance we arrived at the entrance to Blisworth Tunnel - we passed three
boats coming the other way - one seemed very nervous about the experience!

In search of ice cream

After emerging from the tunnel, the Stoke Bruerne locks were close by. Christine attempted to buy some ice cream from a local supplier beside the top lock but he only sold individual ones rather than a tub which we could have this evening. He is thinking about it for the future!

Stoke Bruerne Top Lock

As the photo shows, for a brief time there was a little blue sky as we commenced our descent through the flight.

Sharing Lock 17 with work boat

Lock cleaning in progress

At the fourth lock down a CaRT workboat waited for us - after the lock had been emptied and we left they set about cleaning the bottom gates. This time, as well as a scraper, they were trying out a jet wash. They told us that these gates had not been cleaned for some time and that here there can be a substantial build up of calcium on the gates from the water, in addition to the usual vegetation, algae and mud.

Decorative Mosaics

Underneath a road bridge between locks we spotted some decorative mosaic patterns.

We now had quite a long stretch with only the bridges and occasional marina to act as landmarks to indicate our passage. Although by now it was solidly grey sky it was still dry.

Thrupp Wharf Marina Entrance

Although Mike took a good look out for nb Briar Rose at Thrupp Wharf marina, most of the boats were moored so that their names could not be seen so we could not be sure if it was there or not!

Solomon's Bridge

Just after passing under the decorative Solomon's Bridge at Cosgrove, we pulled in for lunch - just as a brief spell of rain arrived.

Former rails at Cosgrove Wharf

After lunch we used the nearby water point and sani station. As Mike walked to set the single Cosgrove lock, he spotted some old rails set into the wharf edge as a reminder of the real reason why the canals were constructed.

A sign in the garden of the lock cottage amused.

Iron Trunk Aqueduct

Shortly after Cosgrove Lock the canal crosses over the River Ouse. various attempts were made to construct this crossing, including at one time a set of locks down and back up again. The fourth attempt, which still remains, was the Iron Trunk Aqueduct. It has recently been repainted and Mike walked down to take a look. On both side there is a small tunnel underneath the canal.

Foot and horse tunnel at Iron Trunk

We were soon on the quite familiar stretch from Wolverton through Milton Keynes and we have commented on this in previous blogs. It takes rather longer than might have been expected but the canal winds its way around the northern boundary of the city. Near Great Linford we passed a fuel boat that was supplying a number of the moored boats.

Fuel Boat

From our past experience we also knew that the nearer to the city centre the more boats would be moored, many of which seem to be stretching the interpretation of continuous cruising! It took us a while to find a spot we were content with - in the end we failed to find somewhere with an unobstructed line to the tv satellite - most of the towpath through Milton Keynes is lined with tall trees which have now matured and look distinctive. As we were finalising our spot the promised rain arrived and was quite heavy. As tomorrow is car shuffle day and our booking at the nearby marina is not until Sunday, we will be here for three nights.

17.2 miles - 8 locks