We set off on a very overcast day with the expectation that we might work just two locks - with the long Milton Keynes pound in between. The first look was just a short distance ahead, the unusual very shallow lock at Fenny Stratford. It is generally reported that the lock, which falls only about 300mm was added after the canal was built in order to correct a design problem.
Whilst Mike completed the usual services above the lock, Andrew popped to a nearby corner shop for a newspaper. The lock is also unusual in that it has a swing bridge over the middle.
With no sun and a familiar route, it seemed likely that we would have little to report! certainly Mike was unlikely to add to his library of photos of canal features.
A comment on another boater's blog prompted us to keep an eye out for Gulliver's Land, an adventure park for children which, surprisingly, we had not really recognised on previous trips this way. It comes quite close to the canal but we could not see anyone using the rides this morning. Perhaps a bit too early!
We reached Wolverton at lunch time and found a visitor mooring to tie up whilst we finished off Christine's mushroom soup before all three of us walked to the nearby Tesco to stock up the larder. There are few shopping opportunities over the next few days.
Off again and before long we were at the second lock of the day: Cosgrove. Whilst it is not as shallow as Fenny Stratford, it is not very deep either. Alongside the winding hole below the lock is a sculpture which we think is new. It is constructed from intricately intertwined wire.
Just above the lock, Mike spotted a finger post which we have seen before but never explored: a horse tunnel under the canal that connects the towpath with the small village on the opposite side, complete with a popular pub. So Mike persuaded Andrew to drop him off and wait at the next bridge, just so that we can have a photo from the tunnel level!
At Thrupp Wharf, the re-developed Navigation Inn seemed to be doing well - at least inside!
Yes, this definitely can go in our Unusual Boats Gallery! It does have a window at the other end but otherwise it is still just a container.
A number of fields alongside the next stretch of canal are gradually being filled with new lambs. This pair are old enough to stray just a little from their mother.
Stoke Bruerne locks can get quite busy in the summer and several water points have been installed along the long lock landing below the flight. Shame that someone has seen fit to vandalise this one.
We had not been sure until we approached the flight whether we would have enough time and daylight to go up. We decided that we could at least do the first five - there is a long pound then with plenty of visitor moorings. We went up these five locks with a single hander who saw us coming and waited for us to arrive.
In one pound this work boat was moored. Look carefully and you may spot the No Mooring sign right alongside! No doubt the rules do not apply to them . . .
After the five locks, which we completed quite quickly, we left her behind to moor whilst we finished off the flight, even though space and a tv signal were a bit uncertain. Oh well, we could always reverse back down the two locks! We are definitely not tackling Blisworth Tunnel tonight.
Although there were several boats at the first part of the visitor mooring closest to the locks, there was plenty of choice well before the tunnel and with the added bonus of a tv signal. Later than the last few days, we then had to set about preparing a meal.
18.6 Miles - 9 Locks
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