Weedon throws up some surprises!

13th and 14th Nov - Moored north of Bridge 19, Grand Union Canal
15th - Bridge 19 to Bridge 29, Grand Union Canal, 3 miles 0 locks

Lovely weather this last weekend saw us settled a mile or so to the north of Weedon, this morning moving on with water on the list of 'must haves' and diesel on the list of 'if it's cheap enough'.  You just never know what is going to happen or what you will see when setting off down the canal, and today I came upon the most oddest sight I have ever seen on the canal system. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted a man with a stop/go lollipop on the approach to Bridge 24.  'Stop!' the lollipop showed, "Stop!" said Vic, "What?!! This has to be a wind up!!" says I.... and suddenly broke into hysterical laughter .  The man with the lollipop looked at the bridge and turned it round "Go".......... GO!?  By this time tears were streaming down my face, I tried to take a photo, but it was so dark under the trees, but I have managed to lighten it up just to show you all that it did really happen!

There he is look.  On the left there with a yellow hard hat as well.  I was still smiling by the time I was level with this guy, and couldn't keep a straight face, looking at him got me started again!  "Look I am really so sorry to be laughing, I do hope your evening job is a little more lively".  He took it in good stead, and under the bridge we went, only to see another guy with a stop/go lollipop!!  That completely finished me off, my hysterical laughter now turned into total hysteria! ............ I said nothing, but the guy did ... "Yes I know, its very embarrassing you know".  I could only manage a nod, I had gone terribly weak at this point....  Maybe this is a new British Waterways initiative, stop/go lollipop men at all bridge holes!!?

Back into some sort of control, moored by the beautiful church at Weedon, which is just below the embankment.  Exploring the village, it was good to see the Post Office still trading, you never know these days in the villages near the canals, whether their post offices have survived the onslaught of closures.  The butchers has gone unfortunately, but the sign saying 'Butchers established over 50 years' still remains on the canal side.  I was told that this particular butcher had retired now, obviously a dying trade in villages.  If the butcher had sons, then they surely would have struggled to keep it open in the future.

Wandering around came across this antique/junk yard, and was amused at the setting with a backdrop of chimneys.  I did fancy a medium sized galvanised watering can, to paint you see.  I have always fancied having a go at painting a few roses and castles, although I don't know how it would turn out because I was always bottom of the class at art!!

However, my artistic skills will have to wait a little longer, I was happy to pay a couple of quid for the beat up item, but not the 25 pounds that the owner wanted!

Having picked up some milk and bread from the only store, One Stop, left the village for the water point a little further on.  It was only when I saw this poster on a post nearby that it reminded me to be on the lookout. 

Who was the guy in the village that I had spotted? Was it him?  Well I wouldn't leave the dog outside the shop while he was around.  Rummaging through the dustbins he was, bins that had been set outside the houses waiting for the bin men to empty them.  Umm, staring at the photo on the poster, it did resemble him, I wonder.... 

Setting off once again, having had lunch while the water tank was filled, our next stop was at Stowe Hill Marina, and we filled the tank to the top with 36p a litre diesel. Ivor Batchelor was charging 40p in Braunston, and Whilton Marina was charging an extortionate 45p a litre!   A very fair price from Stowe Marina.  I know diesel is going up all the time, but I feel some are taking advantage and charging more than they need to.

We moored not much further along, and settled for the evening.  I wonder what tomorrow has in store?