Aylesbury Duck 0, Aylesbury Arm 9

Monday, 27 October 2008 20:28

We did not see an Aylesbury Duck although we had to duck for the low narrow bridges! The Aylesbury Arm scores 9 out of 10 for scenic beauty, lock maintenance and welcome.

We turned left into the Aylesbury Arm at the Junction and the 2 lock staircase followed immediately - the only staircase on the Grand Union South Waterway.


However at one point we thought we were back on the K & A. We were glad that we did not meet another boat in this pretty long stretch between bridges 9 and 14!


Some lovely boats were being restored below Puttenham bottom lock (11) S E Barlow's boat Hood  was moored here too.

Although for most of the day the sun shone brilliantly it was quite cold - up above must have been even colder as we had a few drops of rain and then this!

We were welcomed to Aylesbury Basin by Brian Barnes who is on the "Welcome Boat" Kalamaki. Brian is the Chairman of the Aylesbury Canal Society who own the Basin. He very kindly gave us a mooring right by the wharf. We have a hook up here so do not have to run the engine tonight!


We had a quick stroll into Aylesbury town center - a lightening tour of the museum, a look at the shops and back to the boat for the evening!

Aylesbury has quite a history but like most burgeoning County Towns much of the old town has been knocked down, built on, or is lost amongst the modern developments. However there are hidden gems like Church Street the 14th century Kings Head and the Crown Courts.

A bit of history - The Aylesbury Arm was finished in 1814 after 17 years discussion and 3 years in build! It may have been used in the transportation of slaves, but it certainly was used for the transportation of coal and agricultural produce. Inevitably the canal was overtaken by the arrival of the railway and might have become derelict but for an active hire base in the late 50s and the 60s, and the sterling efforts of the Aylesbury canal moorers and Canal Society.

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