Wednesday 29th July

We upped sticks this morning to move on from Campbell Park as we were in dire need of water and a pump-out. We had hoped to moor at Fenny Straftford tonight, but unfortunately when we turned into Milton Keynes Marina we were told that they were no longer in business, we had been trying to telephone them all day yesterday and this morning on the way to arrange for their services so we continued south.

A motor and butty in good livery

this heron was perched up in the tree!


We met Pip and Roger on Windsong as they were coming up the lock at Fenny Stratford - they were returning from the Aylesbury Arm.


Looking back once we'd locked through Fenny Stratford.

Another heron - we've seen more today that we've seen for the last week or so!

We eventually sorted the pump out at Willowbridge Marina and also took diesel on board as it was very reasonably priced - all self-service - presumably to keep costs down. Just
The rain came down in buckets from about 3pm before we arrived at the marina and we were rather wet indeed by the time we found a nice quiet mooring after bridge 102 before Stoke Hammond Lock.

Saturday 25th - Tuesday 28th July 2009Back at Campbell Park - had a bit of a calamity when Rock n Roll crunched into the bole of a tree which was leaning over the water as we approached our intended mooring space. It has broken the side and bottom frame on the front cratch, but fortunately it did not break the stained glass window - it's a good job it happened on Saturday as our boat fitter Graham came as arranged on the Sunday - he has taken the measurements and will build a new cratch frame for us.

These are two views of Campbell Park taken from the boat once moored.
We will stay in the area few the next few days so that we are not too far away when our new cratch frame is ready for fitting.

Thursday and Friday 23rd/24th July 2009 Winded and cruised up to Gifford Park to collect post and water - walked into Great Linford on the other side of the canal - a lovely walk - the area around the hall, church and almshouses was well worth the visit. There is a very good Indian Restaurant/take-away in the village.

Unfortunately, the church was locked

the almshouses were most unusual - apparently they were still being lived in up to the last few years - they are now art workshops.

we saw quite a few rats whilst filling with water at Gifford, (just disappearing from view bottom right of picture) we also saw one dash across the seating area whilst we were waiting for our meal to arrive!

Saturday 18th - Wednesday 22nd

Saturday - Well Adam and Tomas have been safely seen onto the train to Crewe for their connection home to Scotland - and we are bereft!

Graham, our boatfitter came today as well, to measure for secondary glazing - to stop the condensation from dripping on my head from the window above our bed and to keep Rock n Roll warmer in the winter.

Sunday - my godparents (Aunty Win and Uncle Ted) came to Milton Keynes for a day out on the boat - we saw them last on the Trent and Mersey at Trntham nearly 12 months ago. We enjoyed our day - we winded south of Campbell Park and cruised to Gifford Park for Sunday lunch - thanks Ted - winded again and travelled back again to MK. It was so lovely to see them and to talk about Mum and old times.

Campbell Park is a lovely mooring - like most of Milton Keynes there are lots of well maintained grassed and park areas and numerous trees of all varieties - all in all from what we have seen from our walks to and from the city centre and our walkes with Molly- we are very impressed with the area.
This sunset was taken just after 8pm on Monday 20th.

Friday 17th July 2009

Happy Holiday!

Goodness me there's a stranger in the picture! - I don't often see myself on the other side of the camera!

Time to relax.

An early night tonight - we don't want them falling asleep on the train home and missing their connection at Crewe! Tomas reassured me that he can't sleep during the day (even if Adam can)and he had no intention of missing that connection.

George and I have thoroughtly enjoyed our few days with them - thank you for visiting Rock n Roll Adam and Tomas.

Thursday 16th July 2009 Glad to be moored up after a long but fun day - today we have travelled north through Blisworth Tunnel, winded (turned round) at Gayton Junction and back through the tunnel.

We eventually moored up by Bridge 57 which is south of Stoke Bruerne locks, to give us a good start for tomorrow - a total of 11 miles plus 6 locks = 17 lock miles @ approx 3 miles per hour.

A BBQ rounded off a puuuurrrfect day!

Wednesday 15th July 2009

The boys (and George) are working hard locking me through Stoke Bruerne locks - we will moor before the tunnel - another experience for them tomorrow!

The flag of St Andrews - it's one redeming feature is that it's blue!

We rounded off a great day with a meal at the Navigation at Stoke Bruerne - blimey I'd forgotten how much food 16 year olds could put away!!

Tuesday 14th July 2009Adam and Tomas arrive safely in Milton Keynes at about 3pm - we ate and set off straight away as we would like to be able to get to the other side of Blisworth Tunnel and back before having to take them back to Milton Keynes station for their journey home on Saturday morning. This is Adam and Tomas's first lock - at Cosgrove - they were pleased with themselves - we moored just before Soloman's Bridge for the night.

Monday 13th July 2009

We saw some wierd and wonderful boats on the way from Cosgrove to Milton Keynes

Are these BW officials making important decisions at the Great Ouse Aquaduct - I couldn't believe that there was no parapet on the right (west) hand side of the aquaduct - I promised myself that I would be inside the boat the next time we come this way as I'm not at all good with heights!!

These canal side-side dwellings looked very nice

This wall was interesting, showing all sorts of transport and places of interest in the area - it was restored by the IWA in 2005 with help from Jewsons (who I think have premises behind the wall) but there was no information about when it was originally painted and by whom.

more interesting boats along the cut before we moored at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes - a very good mooring within walking distance to MK Central. We are picking up our eldest grandson Adam (16) and his friend Tomas tomorrow, they are travelling down by train from Glasgow in the morning - hope they arrive alright in one piece!!

Sunday 12th July 2009

Early start this morning to decend the Stoke Bruerne 7 locks - managed to share all of them which made it not such back breaking work for George who was lock wheeling.

Another new marina in the making - at Thrupp

Soloman's Bridge at Cosgrove where we moored for the night

This tunnel goes under the canal at Cosgrove

waiting for his dinner!