Onward through Fenny Stratford

2nd Dec - Cruising south from Milton Keynes, Grand Union Canal, 4 miles 1 lock

Leaving our mooring of the last couple of days, I must say that I have really enjoyed the journey through Milton Keynes.  The people who live here are certainly are very lucky to have all this open space available to them.

Set off late this morning to pick up post at Fenny Stratford.  There was no room at all on the moorings above the lock, so went on a little further to another bridge which I was quite pleased about as it was actually closer to the Post Office.

It was quite late by this time, definately underestimated the time it would take to get to Fenny Stratford from MK, and thought we might stay there the night.  It was noisy and busy towpath side, some boats running loud generators, so decided to move on in the murk of the day to a quieter place to settle for the evening.

Boat Licence renewal time for us this month.  I really must make an effort and find out how much the licence will be for the Nene next year before deciding on whether to take out the normal canals and river licence or the 'gold' licence which covers rivers managed by the Environment Agency.  I see in one of the guide books that there is no licence needed at all for the Middle Levels. "No licence fees or tolls are presently levied by the Middle Level Commissioners on pleasure boats"

The extra cost for us this year for a Gold Licence will be about £130.  Earlier in the year when we HAD to use the River Thames to get from Kennet and Avon to Oxford Canal it cost us about £60 for a licence to travel on the Thames for just two days!  We will be spending a lot of the summer in the Fens, still instead of typing all this and contemplating while typing, I really ought to just go find out!!

Talking about the Kennet and Avon, I looked at the BBC News site this evening to see if there was any more news on the tragedy at Pewsey, (link here) and my thoughts of last night came true, when it was reported that the man and boy were actually father and son.

Look how the bank has given way.  Picture is from the BBC News site by the way.  The towpaths in general on that canal leave a lot to be desired, although there have been a number of improvements over the last few years, still this canal is one of the worst in the country, not only on the towpath issue, but on the heavy gates of the locks, some almost impossible to do on your own.  The swing bridges can be impossible to open.  I remember times when Vic and I have not been able to swing a bridge together, and have had to wait for help from others to shift them.

I am going to research this red diesel issue.  I might even draw up some forms or other and get boaters to sign their disapproval of the proposals.  So if you see me wandering along the towpath with pen and paper in hand, be ready to sign!!

No plans for tomorrow at the moment.  I have some pics to add to the November Album, and of course, as it is now December, I need to set up yet another one for the new month.  Might do that tomorrow then.