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......