Cosgrove brings us closer to Finch!

25th Nov - Br 56 - South of Stoke Bruerne to Cosgrove, Grand Union Canal, 4.5 miles 0 locks

A misty start this morning for the two mile trip to Bridge 60 at Yardley Wharf, mooring to pick up the post. Tiptoed over the bridge pretending not to look at the imposing signs, and hoped that as it was quite damp this morning the farmer's wife wouldn't be hanging her washing out and catch me creeping by!!

Returning to the boat, I was relieved that I wouldn't have to go across that bridge again. There are no signs on the towpath warning anyone of the anti-canal attitude above on the bridge, which did surprise me somewhat. I might find out a bit more about that track, maybe the people in the farmhouse just don't like having a lovely canal passing by!

The mist lifted and the sun managed to break through, it was a beautiful early afternoon. There was no wind at all, so we soaked it up, and had a sandwich on deck, in no rush to continue on our way for a little while longer such was the enjoyment of the weather in late November, it was georgous.

An hours run to Cosgrove. I had decided to stop there as I want to go and investigate the The Old Stratford Cut and walk some of the way along the towpath towards Buckingham. This canal was officially declared abandoned in 1964, but there is hope of restoration, and having had a quick walk this evening for about half a mile, it seems to me quite possible as the canal bed is still there, overgrown, but still there.

There are boats moored in the only bit that is in water for about 200 yards or so, and I met one of the residents who has her narrowboat moored. "Yes, Mr Finch is around, a friend of mine said she spotted him down there on Saturday, twice" she said after I enquired whether anybody had heard of or seen him in this area.. "She was almost certain it was him, she is good at faces" she continued. I didn't ask exactly where "down there" was, I suppose I don't really want to know, but it looks like he is on his way back north after sightings last week in Leighton Buzzard.

Mr Finch, a reminder, and for those not in the know, is a strange man. He likes to break into narrowboats, eat and drink whatever he can, sleep there for a while, tidy up and do any washing up before leaving to find a new narrowboat home for a few more days. Not thought to be violent, tidies up after himself, but he sure does make a mess of doors and windows as he forces his way in.

Wanted by the police once again after being let out of prison for good behaviour I am told. I am amazed at all the sightings, yet nobody seems to contact the police when they see him.

Cosgrove is nice, I thought it would have been very busy with boats, but there is only one other boat here on the 48hr moorings, I have lots to do tomorrow, maybe a walk to the village as well as a look at the embankment and aquaduct by foot, then there is the 10 miles or so to Buckingham! Umm maybe we will need this 48hr mooring after all!

Would like to say hi to a couple of people who have emailed me recently as a result of seeing this blog.... so hello to Alan and Joan, originally from Kent, and now retired and enjoying the towpaths around the Loughborough area, and hello to John now from Bedford, hey not too far away from you John. John's reading of the blog has brought back happy memories of when he used to live in the Coventry and Hillmorton areas. John is having a boat built and is hoping to take his work on to his boat for the whole of next summer.... Ah now john, you will be using a computer for that work and an internet connection too I think, so I will be badgering you to do one of these blogs you know

I do a lot of towpath walking, and sometimes you see things that you would miss travelling on the water. Here are a couple of photos to finish off with tonight. One is a milestone, not unusual, but for the piece almost lost in the grass, it stopped me in my tracks when I read that, and hope that the photo is good enough for you all to read too.

Well in fact, on looking at it, perhaps it isn't too clear on this size of pic that I use for the internet. It actually says Dedicated to the memory of those who made this navigation possible.

Here is the other one, this shows where a piece of probably iron is moulded or bent to the shape of the bridge side. Look closely how the ropes, which were attached to horses pulling the boats along the canal, have cut grooves into the iron over the years. If this wasn't used the brick work of the bridges would have crumbled and worn away..