Milton Keynes to Leighton Buzzard - Grove Lock

A busy few days cruising from Milton Keynes to Leighton Buzzard (Grove Lock).

Sunday, 11 November

Day of rest.  Pete taking advantage of the beautiful sunny day to paint the front of me.  Yippee.... Susan says it needed it weeks' ago - so Pete got to work.  Looking great!!!!  Feeling pretty again......

Saturday, 10 November

A grey blank sky greets us this morning after a night of heavy rain.  It starts to rain just as we leave......

Susan and Mazey prep the 3 Soulbury Locks after Susan struggles to get her wet weather gear on - I can hear her cursing when she gets dressed.

Grand Union pub overlooks Soulbury 3 locks

At Leighton lock, prior to Leighton Buzzard, Susan walks up to the lock and helps the single boater arriving from the opposite direction to prep the lock.  It is difficult to do the locks if you are on your own.  There is another boat waiting going in the same direction as us but he decides to not help out and waits by the side of his boat - lazy ***!!!!  Whilst Susan helps another boat comes along, so Susan helps them through too.  They all thank her and one of the 3 men on board say she is very public spirited.  Eventually, we get into the lock and carry on to Leighton Buzzard.

We stop for a bit whilst Susan goes food shopping in the canal-side Tescos..... 2 hour wait only here.  Lots of waterfowl getting fed by walkers and shoppers.

Leighton Buzzard

At Grove lock there are a lot of gongoozlers - mainly children.  The lock is overlooked by a popular pub.  A young boy called Chrisopher asks Susan if he can help.  So they do the lock together.  He is really excited.....  Thanks to all the helpers at the lock!!!!

After pump-out we moor opposite the small marina for the evening.  Such a beautiful night sky.  More fireworks can be heard in the distance.

Night view

Total 5 locks, 5 miles

Friday, 9 November 2012

A dull day but not raining yet!!!

After 3 miles we get to Fenny Stratford lock.  Pete and Mazey prep this one as there is a swing bring in the middle of the lock and it was too heavy for Susan last time we came through here.

I had a collision today with an idiot boater - who came around a bend going far to fast.  I had slowed almost to 'tick over' as we were passing moored boats on both sides when this boat came at us from the opposite direction.  After hitting us the 'boaters' shrugged their shoulders and threw their hands up in the air to apologise. Pete growled at them and said 'Slow down'.........  I was a bit annoyed too......  If you drive up to a bend and cannot see around it you should go slower.....  it is good etiquette after all!!

A large heron played 'tag' with me today.  Great fun but I could not catch it up...

Lots of moored boats along this stretch - boats are now being moored up for the winter.... resting...  I wonder when I get a chance to rest........

Total 2 locks, 6.5 miles