Aging Ducks on the way to Stoke Bruerne

Cosgrove to Stoke Bruerne, Grand Union Canal, 7 miles 8 locks

It was raining this morning, but not nearly so cold, so I didn’t mind an hour of wet stuff.  In fact we sure do need it… the environment agency giving warnings out already to Councils to inform householders to take care and think about their water usage.  I suppose it’s two fold in my thoughts… Yes let’s have some rain… but No, please no rain while we are on the Nene next week!  Flood conditions would be not be needed!

Passing the Buckingham Arm, I remembered last time we were here, walking down the now disused and dewatered arm… such a pity that roads and houses have now been built across its route.  There is some talk about re-routing the canal around the housing estate built over it, and opening it once again all the way down to Buckingham, but I don’t think I will see that in my lifetime somehow.

Some amusing signs outside of Baxters fine boatyard at Yardley Wharf… a nice yard by the way.  A very tidy little marina and some good boatbuilding and repair facilities with a large dry dock. The signs.. well here is one.. but as my camera is not the same as David Bailey uses, perhaps the pic is not that clear “Caution elderly ducks crossing”.  and before the smile was off my face, going under the bridge to Baxters Wharf another sign outside “Please do not allow your dog to pump out on the Wharf”!

The Stoke Bruerne flight of 7 locks raises the canal up some 56ft in just under a mile, but at the top the wonderful site of this wonderful village full of canal history.  Here the Waterways Museum at the moment has a display of the history of the Blisworth Tunnel, which I will be having a look at tomorrow morning.

Lucy seems to be 100% back to her self again, much more bounce in her step along the towpath beside the boat, and eating me out of house and home!

I chucked the rod out late this eveing, and the fishing was surprisingly good here for such a busy place, with boats up and down all the time. I am going to try and persuade Vic to take me out for a pint……. yes a pint tonight.. well it is Blisworth Tunnel for me to do tomorrow… Some calming juice would be nice.