Our own icebreaker

Thursday, 11 December 2008 19:56

We were on our own at Fenny Stratford lock today - unlike when we came down. Then we were hustled through the lock by 2 boat crews in front of the Jam 'Ole Run boats! Consequently we were able to enjoy it and have a good look at the features there!

The bridge across the lock is heavy so it was John's lock   The rise is only 12 or 13 inches but it was built to aviod building an expensive embankment to the east of the canal. We have reason to be thankful to one of the past residents of Fenny Stratford. Without his invention we would not have our propulsion or domestic needs met! He built the first heavy oil engine - a precursor to the diesel engine! Thank you Mr Arkroyd Stuart.

The next major urbanisation is Milton Keynes. A passerby had told us that it was free of ice - ha ha, think again Epiphany! For most of the way through the area there was thick ice on the bends and thinner ice in the middle. We were caught up by a boat wanting to get to Stoke Bruerne that evening so he became our ice breaker!

We couldn't believe our eyes when we saw three almond trees in blossom at one of the bridges near Pennylands Marina!

Leaving Milton Keynes eventually we came to Wolverton. We planned to moor near the Great Ouse aqueduct (otherwise known as The Iron Trunk Aqueduct or Cosgrove Aqueduct). Before the aqueduct it is too shallow to get in - there is a sloping shelf and only a couple of possible places which were already taken. After the aqueduct the visitor moorings for Cosgrove start. Even these had a small shelf initially. However we managed to get in fairly soon after the aqueduct which meant we did not have to get too near the boats moored below Cosgrove lock.

We were expecting a visitor - someone who John knows who works on the software for our Family Tree on our web site. He was going to either walk, cycle or run from Stony Stratford! Greg duly arrived in his running gear - he is amazingly fit! We had a good evening discussing family trees, software, running and the boys enjoyed their beers!

No photos again - sorry folks, this mobile internet lark can be a pain. When I have a decent speed I will put them up on our photo gallery

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