Moving again

Noisy mooring

We had no energy to look further so took this space.......only a short walk up to the shops so very convenient but somewhat noisy with the ongoing work on the bridge behind.

Friday was declared a rest day partly because of the forecast and partly due to backs and legs not operationg as they should.   The morning was Ok ish but the afternoon brought a lot of rain so we were glad we were tucked up down below.

This morning Saturday we were off by 7.30 and we were lucky apart from a couple of very light showers.   The first lock was not only filled ready for us but gates open wide.   Not so with the next ones which were mostly empty and so had a wait whilst they filled.

Beautiful hanging baskets

Better than a garden Gnome

After 6 locks I was beginning to tire but had to do two more before we found a suitable moring by the Winkwell locks.   Just one Petroc size space so thankfuly pulled in.......I do believe there is even a pub up ahead so geoff can take himself off for a evening pint as he likes to do.

Total distance:2.78 miles 

Elapsed time:2h57m6s 

Locks:8 Bridges:9

Average speed:0.94 mph (3.65 lock/mph)

 

 

On thing after another!

Moored opposite the reservoir in Marsworth

 Well we did plan a quiet weekend but I seem to remember saying DO NOT PLAN!

Although Geoff seems absolutely fine after his stay in hospital we decided we would rest for the weekend.  However as the intense heat seemed to have abated we decided to move out of the shady nook we had found and go up one lock and moor in the open by the reservoir.   We went past the sani station en route and filled and emptied as appropriate.....

Whilst so doing I managed to walk into the end of the tiller arm which was painful for a few minutes but then thought nothing more of it.    We actually found company to up the planned one lock so it was very tempting to accompany them up the remaining 6, but when I casually mentioned it to Geoff he said no he had done something to his leg!!   So back to plan A and we found a nice spot by the reservoir and settled in.

However by now whatever I had done was getting worse although Geoff shrugged off his leg injury!  So Stoic.   

By Sunday I was no better so called 111 for advice who said to go to A & E at Stoke Mandeville.   It was not how I had planned my day........£25 each way by taxi and 5 hours in there.....however they were very good and a scan showed nothing vital damaged inside and not ribs this time.   Had to be muscular but no treatment just pain killers and time.   9 weeks ago we were in the same place with my ribs.    Guess this is not our year.

Accordingly we cancelled Giles who was due to come on Monday morning and accompany us up the rest of the Marsworth flight and settled in for another couple of days R & R.

By Wednesday we both had itchy feet and were slightly better so decided to at least get to the summit.  A nice gentle day was required and not too long...........

ex Lock keepere cottage

We last came down this way 13 years ago and dont really remember too much!   We notice now that all the ex lock keepers houses are all in good repair.  Obviously now in private ownership they are a contrast to many of the cottages we see on the Oxford canal.  A lot of those are boarded up and in various states of disrepair.

From peaceful mooring to first lock of the day.

Anyway our start was too early for company up the locks but it was a reasonable morning.    The locks are all in quiet countryside and we even found two volunteers to help up the last of the planned 6.   

So far so good.    No suitable mooring at the top so decision taken to do 3 more locks and moor where our map showed a shop as we had run out of bread....no toast for Geoffs breakfast!!

The day then started to go downhill as well as the locks........yes we had passed the summit and it was now downhill all the way to London.

By now the weather was slightly less kind and Geoff did get drenched in a sudden downpour.......but at least its warm rain......

We passed Cowroast Marina where we thought we might get fuel but it was a less than hospitable entrance so decided to give it a miss.   Soon after we did find a convenient sani station so paused to fill and empty again. 

By now we were both tired and had had enough and we tried several places to moor but either no space ot too shallow.

So after 6 1/2 hours instead of the anticipated 3 and 13 locks instead of the planned 6 or 9 we did 13 locks until we found a spot on the outskirts of Berkhamstead.   Not one of our best spots as they are working on the bridge just behind us, which is noisy and dusty,  and a busy railway is not far away........

The net result is that today,Thursday, neither of us is in good shape.   Geoffs leg is sore and my back has slipped back a peg or two in the improving area.      So have decided to stay put for the day and hope we can move on tomorrow.   

Geoff has not been enjoying this part of the trip and I think it is beginning to rub off on me.......probably all exacerbated by our various health problems.

47 locks to go before Brentford when we can be on the Thames again!!

On a brighter note it is a short walk to what I assume is the High street of Berkhamstead so I had a wander up and managed to get our prescription filled and had a nice cup of coffee.   They have a large M& S Food place so that was also useful.

Later Geoff had a wander to a nearby petrol station and filled up a 20lt can of diesel.    Although we have just under half a tank, with the way this trip is going he decided to be on the prudent side in case we dont find fuel anywhere.

Dare I say we plan to move on tomorrow.    We have a goal (very dangerous)  to be in Brentford 8/9 August and then Kingston on 10th ready for my next visit to London.

An eventful few days

 An eventful few days we could perhaps have done without.

Tuesday was scheduled to be another hot hot hot day so we determined on an even earlier start.

Thy heard me making the morning cup of tea at 5am!

No one else gets up at the time we do,,,,

We crept away as the sun was still waking up

The plan was to see what the mooring was like in Marsworth (and the pub!) as we were expecting visitors on Thursday,

Waiting for the first lock to empty

The trouble with going so early is that we dont find anyone to share the locks with.  This means that we have to fill very slowly so that I dont get thrown around in the lock.   Geoff seems to have got it sussed out now and allows me a reasonably smooth ascent.   We are still climbing to the summit at Tring.  After that it will be downhill all the way to London.

We were extremely lucky to find a mooring that was mostly in the shade at Marsworth just before the sani station.   Water etc could wait, shade was the most important,  I had a walk ahead after we were tied up and although there were spaces before and after the first lock, none afforded the same shade.

With heat forecast to continue for the next few days we decided to stay here for our visitors on Thursday.   We took a stroll up to the Red Lion to see if it was Ok for Thursday visitors.  Good village pub would do fine.  The plan was to move on Friday up the 7 locks at Marsworth to the summit.   It was forecast to be slightly cooler but we still planned an early start.

NEVER PLAN!

In the evening it was my club bridge night.  In the middle of playing I heard a knock on the boat which I had to investigate as Geoff had already retired for the night.   It was a gentleman from a neighbouring boat asking if we could accompany him to investigate the boat between us,  It was all open, hatches doors etc and he hadnt seen anyone around for a couple of days,   He thought he should check on board in case someone ws ill below.......he had once investigated in similar circumstances and found a dead body!  I had to go and rouse Geoff as I had left 3 other bridge players waiting for me.

Much grumbling as due to the heat he had very little clothes on.   However duly sorted, no dead bodies and he had a good chat with the other chap who turned out to be ex RAF.

Back to bed for Geoff and back to bridge for me.   

About half an hour later I heard the first rumble of thunder,,,,,,but I was actully in th emiddle of playing a hand this time so I ignored it.   Petroc was fully open, hatches windows etc,

Suddenly the heavens opened,,,rain coming in my bedroom windows which forced me to take action.  Its quite a feat to play a card, put in a window, play another card put in another window......

Luckily the noise had woken Geoff yet again and this almost nude figure was prancing from end to end closing hatches etc.   We do see life.......

Wednesday I worked all day on Giles accounts......never get bored!!!

In the early evening we decided to take a stroll to one of the pubs.  We had booked a table at the Red Lion but since they were expecting a wake party of 30 we decided to see what else was on offer.    The Anglers Retreat was voted a no no as it was much further to walk, not clever in this heat.

Later I retreated to my aft cabin and TV and about 8.30 I realsied that my usual bedtime drink had not appeared.  I trotted forward to see what the reason was to find a very woebegone figure saying he didnt feel very well.   Questioning elicited the information that he had chest pains.   Uh Oh!!  Maybe the heat????  

Phone call immediately to Emma who told me to put the phone down and dial 999 immediately.   There was a slight wait as they were obviously busy.  Whilst waiting, on Emmas instructions,  I got out our blood pressure monitor and took a reading and it said his pulse was 196 so I thought I had done it incorrectly.   I am not good in these situations so there is a bit of dithering!!   However about 1/2 to 3/4 hour later an ambulance with is flashing light appeared at the nearby bridge and these two young, slight girls (ladies) appeared.   They were delightful and very professional.   Lots of quesions, hooked up to heart machine and telephone calls ensued.   Meanwhile I am relaying to Emma who is all set to try and get up here....however with no car and 9 oclock at night it was not possible.

It was eventually diagnosed that he was in SVT ( not a heart attack) and would have to be admitted.   

They decided it was not safe for him to walk to the ambulance down the towpath, so they fetched their wheelie stretcher.......good job it had wheels!   I felt quite sorry for them as neither of them was vey big.   It was quite strenuous pushing and pulling Geoff who is no lightweight, along a rather bumpy towpath.   I had hastily packed a bag with a few essentials to send with him.  I was not allowed to go with them due to COVID.

Very weird back on Petroc as I am not used to being on my own.   I managed better than I thought and early in the morning I had a text from Geoff saying he was in the recovery place felling tired but Ok.   Drugs had failed to get the heart back into rhythm so they had to shock it back.   He had this done a few years ago but that time he had AF ( similar but different!)   I have now googled the difference between the two and had Emma explain it to me very clearly.......

He ended up having 2 nights in the hospital possibly due to the fact that they couldnt agree on further action, if any.   He saw two different consultants (Big men he called them) who said different things.

Patricia and Brian duly came on Thrsday and we had our scheduled lunch and catch up, just minus Geoff.  They were great and took me shopping to Tescos in Tring and then to see Geoff in hospital in High Wycombe.   I had to book a visiting slot under current regulations so had booked for 3.30.  At this stage we thought he might have been released and we could bring him back.   Not to be as he was still waiting to go for an Ecocardiogram and no news of when.  He was glad of the visit but I am under no illusion that he wanted to see me,   I had packed his bag with a change of clothes, phone and ipad but had forgotten his glassed and his headphones!!  Duly remedied together with a pork pie.  Lunch was good he said but supper was destined to be a sandwich.

he eventually had the Ecocardiogram early afternoon( I think that is the correct term but not sure) which proved to be OK.  Giles and Boe collected him just after 5 and brought him back where he enjoyed a pint at the Red Lion.

From this ......

..... to this

We plan a quiet weekend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The heat continues

The goal on Saturdy was Leighton Buzzard with a stop en route to the sani station at Fenny Lock.

We failed on both accounts!!

Fenny Lock with its swing bridge open as we go through

The sani station is just above the lock but there is only space for one boat to moor and it was already occupied by a wide beam so not even room for us to come alongside and wait for him to finish.   I suspect it would have been a long wait as, althought the hose appeared to be connected, there was not much sign of life......

We managed 4 more locks but by then it was gone 10am and the sun was beating down and I could not go any further.    Geoff was not impressed as he wanted a shop to buy his Daily Mail which he always has on a Saturday!   So we moored and I retreated below to cool off and he walked a considerable distance to get his paper......

Geoff has admitted to not enjoying this canal.   He finds the long lines of permanently moored boats, for which we have to slow right down,  extremely tedious.........admittedly there are large areas of them.  He even intimated that he fancied turning round and retracing our steps........that did not find favour with his crew..

Sunday we moved on with another early start and managed to use the sani station in the centre of Leighton Buzzard.    Elsan and water were fine, albeit the water dreadfully slow, but the rubbish compound was disgusting.   In fact I was moved to send a tweet to CRT about the state....I have not had a response.

After watering we reversed back as we had passed some mooring especially for shoppers right by a big Tesco.   Since cooking in this heat is no fun I decided to stock up with a few ready meals.......very lazy but a lot cooler.   We then moved on not too far and managed to find a reasonable mooring by Tiddeford Lake.  Unfortunately no shade until much later on so it was a big dunk under a cold shower for me.  

Crack of sparrows start today, Monday.   6am and we were off.   The goal was 1/2 way to Marsworth with 5 locks before it became too hot.    Not really achieved as we ended up doing 6 locks by which time I was nearly passing out with the heat.    Luckily just above Lock 34, Ivinghoe top lock, there was just space for us to moor....no shade again though.

A very brave Heron who kept us company all the way up the lock. 
 I think he had his eye on a fish under our boat!

Pretty ex lock keepers cottage.   
It is nice to see one occupied and looked after instead of abandoned and vandalised

Geoff seems to have more stamina than me in this heat!

So tomorrow it is onward to Marsworth with a very early start again.......although there is now talk of possible rain........yes please......

Ever southwards

 

After the hubbub of London it is wonderful to return to the tranquility of the canals.    However it was a good visit to London to see Emma, Dave and granddaughter Kensa.    The journey up was interesting with cancelled trains and loos on station that were not open!   But eventually arrived and managed to watch the Wimbledon ladies and mens finals over the weekend.  Luckily the tennis didnt clash with the football on the Sunday.   Not that I was watching the football

I often wonder what some of these strange looking boats are like down below....

Club bridge night for me on Tuesday, followed by friendly bridge Thursday afternoon and bridge match in the evening.   Online bridge since lockdown has been wonderful for me.   Normally I cant play all summer when we are away but since everthing is online at the moment and internet has improved it is great.   In addition I have at last managed to get unlimited data on my contract so even better.

Afternoon stroll with the kids

Milton Keynes proved to be a much nicer place to moor than I remembered from 13 years ago.    The town/city may be a sprawling mass but it is surrounded by large ares of parkland...It was so congenial we stayed over a day on the 48 hour moorings opposite Campbell Park.   Lots of toing and froing as it was in the middle of Milton Keynes International Festival.   

An extremely kind lady offered me a lift to Sainsburys which was about one and a half miles away.  Topped up our fridge and caught a taxi back.

The following day Geoff decided to walk in but even he succombed and caught a taxi back....weather getting hotter,

Not particularly welcome visitors

They are better viewed from a distance when out in the crocodile stroll!

An early morning start on Friday (0730) as we wanted to find a congenial shady spot for our visitors later in the morning.

It took three attempts until we were satisfied.   Nice shady spot close to a pub where we could have a pint at lunchtime and they could park the car.

In the grounds of the pub car park was my kind of cow.

Bob and Rosie arrived for coffee and we spent an extremely pleasant day with pub at lunch time followed by lunch alonside Petroc.    All in the cool with a gentle breeze.

After their departure I continued in relaxation mode and saw this fellow just ahead of us.   He, or maybe she?, was certainly a huge heron.    I thought it was a statue at first.

 Early start planned for tomorrow as the weather promises to be even hotter and I dont function very well in the heat.

Not the most successful of days.

 

Great artwork

The day started well enough as there was no rain!   The goals of the day were some restocking of the fridge and to find a suitable mooring for Geoff to stay whilst I am in London.

The first was achieved when we moored at Wolverton where there is a huge Tesco.   It was a convoluted walk to each it however involving a lot of steps.   Luckily our grannies shopping trolly has a very clever set of 3 wheels on either side which allows you to go up and down steps without having to resort to back breaking carrying.   Especially good as Geoff's baack is still not good.     This is where the station is for my trip tomorrow.   The moorings were not good for a prolonged stay however.    

Decision taken to  move on into New Bradwell.  Our guide book said there were frequent buses from there either ahead to Milton Keynes or back to Wolverton.   Since I could catch my train from either it seems a reasonable decision.

Initially moored in nice open countryside just short of New Bradwell, nicely settled, good internet and TV.   However we had to moor on stakes and we were nsooner settled that the aft pin was pulled out by a passing boat.   Obviously this would be no good for Geoff for 5 days!   So engine back on and we carried on for 1/2 a mile.    I had already walked up and saw there were spaces, slightly more built up but pleasant enough and no stakes required.

By this time after our shopping run we were both tired so pulled over to moor, plenty of space.    But it was too shallow for us, try as we might we could not get close enough alongside.   Crept forwad inch by inch and eventually managed to get the bow reasonably close with the stern poking out.   At least the canal was wide enough.   By this time it was nearly 2pm, much later than out usual stopping time and we had both had enough.

Later after a suitable rest I decided to go and find my bus stop for tomorrow.    Ha Ha

Easier said than done.   I found the bust stop with no problem but there was a notice sayin that due to resurfacing work, buses today and tomorrow were being rerouted and there would be no buses from the stop.   I tried in vain to find the street where they were being rerouted by which time the heavens opened and I didnt have a waterproof.     I ended up sheltering in a bus shelter at yet another bus stop (also no buses tomorrow)

By the time I found my way back to Petroc I collapsed in front of the television in time to see Roger Federer knocked out of the semi finals.

Not our best day!    We have a new plan for tomorrow.......we will go to the nearby pub at lunchtime and Geoff can have a beer whilst I ask them if they can get me a taxi!

Watch this space........................................

gently onwards

Breakfast was so good at the Boat Inn that we booked for Sunday Lunch.    They have a restaurant upstairs overlooking the canal.   So we had a ringside side from which to gongoozle on Sunday.  The lunch was excellent.

We had previously moved down the first two locks of the flight so had a gentle walk back.    We need more of these walks as we are finding that without Barney the incentive to walk is somewhat lacking.

After lunch I had a look around the museum which is very well done.  Geoff rested his back and watched the boats at the top of the lock.   He seems to have started it off again on one of the lock paddles this morning.   I declined dessert at lunch and save myself for a large ice cream cone after my visit to the museum.

Afternoon stroll with the teenagers

Stoke Breurne Canal Museum on the left

Sunday morning going down in search of better WIFI so I can play bridge this evening!

Gently onwards on Monday morning.   We were extremely fortunate as just as we set of another boat appeared, so we were able to share locks.   After the first lock we met a boat coming up, so the rest of the flight was all set in our direction....what a bonus.   This was especially good with Geoffs back .

We were down the 5 locks in record time and stopped at the sani station at the bottom and waved goodbye to our companions on Mr Toad.

Moved on with no particular goal in mind and eventually found a nice open mooring a lttle bit before Cosgrove.

Tuesday has been declared a rest day in aid of Geoffs back!   So apart from a short walk for him I am catching up with some work and this blog........in between a bit of relaxing watching the world and narrowboats go by.     Quite a few boats on the move in both directions.

The forecast for today was rain and gales but neither has reached us so far!!

Tomorrow we shall move on in search of a suitable mooring to leave Geoff whilst I go down to London for family visit.   Since it is 13 years since we came this way before we have no recollection of good places to stop.

Wey Hey......no more tunnels

We found company to go down the 7 locks at Buckby, although he was a single hander so Geoff didnt gain much.   However he was a very pleasant sort of elderly gentleman who was chatty and  seemed to enjoy the company.

Going under the A5

Cosy little home under the bridge

Moored at Weedon Bec for the night.   Found a useful Tesco Express a short walk away.

Gently cruising along

I love seeing peoples back gardens

On Friday we moored in Blisworth positioning ourselves for the  tunnel trip.  My pet hate.   It has been preying on my mind..........

Bliswoth is a strange place but did have a small store.   

Approaching the North Portal

and in we go

The light of a boat coming the other way

Its so deceptive, you see the boat from a distance and it never seems to get any closer.   Just room to pass!

and out of the south portal....phew... all done    35 minutes

The ace tunner steerer.......not my cup of tea.

Only a short hop into Stoke Breune where we found a very congenial mooring and my investigation found that the Boat Inn served breakfast.    What more could one want.   Last tunnel for the year (hopefully forever)  and an extremely good cooked breakfast.

Back on board TV all set up for my tennis and the morning rain had disappeared and we had a lovely day. 

However the afternoon provided one blot on the horizon.......the internet decide to become very errtic.  It was fine all morning and then seemed to disappear.   Not good news as I had a bridge game scheduled for the evening.    Phone was also in and out....very frustrating.

So bridge game cancelled but rescheduled for Sunday.    We shall move the boat tomorrow down the first two of the Stoke locks and hope for better reception.

Heron come to say hello

In the last 4 days we have travelled a total of 16 miles.......speedy gonzales thats us.    7 locks.