Monday 21st September 2009

Walked Bill up to the shops the papers, had breakfast and set off in lovely weather by 9.30am.  Buddied up with a boat in the Bottom Lock called Nb Hawkeye with a lovely couple called Dave and Ella.  Went all the way together up through the 6 locks out of Braunston and then through the Braunston Tunnel (2042yds) and down through the 7 locks in the Buckby Flight.  Tied up in Weedon by 4pm.  Took Bill for a walk up the towpath and met Sam and Cynthia off Nb Guinevere with their new springer puppy meg.  Chatted for a while but they were off to a pagan wedding (don’t ask!).  Few beers early doors in the Wheatsheaf in Weedon.  Great village, good stores in Weedon Bec, plus Indian restaurant and takeaway and a Chinese takeaway, what more can a man ask for?

Tuesday 22nd September 2009

Walked Bill all the way to Weedon Bec, about 2 miles to the shop and back.  Set off for Stoke Bruerne about 9.30am.  Nuther lovely day.  Got to Stoke Bruerne about 3pm having come through the Blisworth Tunnel (3057 yds and you need an umbrella!!!).  Took Bill for a walk up through the woods and back via the entrance to the tunnel.  Sorted out dinner and off to the Boat Inn for a couple.  Met a lovely couple called David and Julie off Nb Lovely Country Girl (I think) and arranged to go down the 7 locks in Stoke Bruerne tomorrow.

Wednesday 23rd September 2009

Set off for Milton Keynes and down through the 7 locks to tie up at the park moorings in Great Linford.  Lovely site, big park for Bill to play in and an excellent thatched pub, the Nags Head, which is Bill friendly too.  Can’t be bad.

Thursday 24th September 2009

Lazy start in lovely weather after a long walk with Bill and the ball twanger in the park.  Got started by 10am.  Only 5 miles to go to meet up with Mark and Nicky on their Nb One Way of Life.  Met Mark along the towpath but Nicky and Cassy won’t be here until tomorrow pm.  Later Mark, Bill and I walked the mile or so to the Red Lion in Fenny Stratford to see Guy and Glynnis again.  Had far too much to drink in very dubious company and had a great night wobbling back to the boats in the pitch dark.

Friday 25th September 2009

Staying here over the weekend.  Diddled about on the boat and waited in the Plough Inn car park for Nicky and Cassy to arrive.  Set off to the Red Lion again with much the same results as last night.

Saturday 26th September 2009

Same routine as yesterday cept Mark and Nicky stayed in .

Sunday 27th September 2009

Moved Beau to the 7 day moorings by the Red Lion and washed the roof again and wiped it down, looks much better now.  Also polished the port side of Beau and it’s come up a treat.  Met up with Mark and Nicky for a few (????) in the pm and sat outside in wonderful weather with a great bunch of locals and boaters.  Said tarra to Nicky cos she’s off tomorrow but will hopefully see her again soon.

Monday 28th September 2009

Staying another night and then off tomorrow.  Walked up into Fenny to a great old hardware shop to get some bits and bobs.  Met up with Mark in the evening to go through the route to London and beyond.  Plus had a few more beers and said tarra to everyone.

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Walked Bill up to the garage in Fenny to get the papers, it’s also a Marks and Sparks shop so got some veg etc.  Set off into unchartered water as far as I’m concerned to tie up at bridge 111 just above Leighton Buzzard where there happens to be a pub called the Globe which is Bill friendly.  Had a few beers early doors.

Wednesday 30th September 2009

Set off for Marsworth Junction to tie up by bridge 130.  Got down through Leighton Buzzard Lock 27 and tied up by Tescos and did a big shop.  Set off again 1 1/2 hours later and got through the 11 locks (single handed worst luck) to tie up by 5.30pm.  Long hard day so need a beer or two in the Red Lion with Bill.

Footnote…………..

Good old British Waterways are currently very efficient a keeping me informed as to the various closures and problems on the system letting me know where and when by email, however, they’ve done it again.

I got this email recently

Advice by email from BW

PHONE LINES

Wednesday 8th September 2009 until further notice.

Please be advised we are having problems with the phone lines and not able to answer any calls.

Any enquiries please call 0207 985 7200!!!!!!!!

Is it me?