Milton Keynes

The Stoke locks took an age thanks to two boats in front of us who decided that they would not close the bottom gates on the last five locks. This is very uncurteous and Jenny became a grumpy old woman who had definitely lost her sense of humour. We were delayed further at the bottom lock, where some CRT chaps were trying to pressure wash the gates. Unfortunately for them the full lock was overspilling. They asked us to go into the lock and then open one of the bottom paddles just  little, then to close it again. This allowed them to do the the outside of the closed bottom gates. When this was done, some 25 minutes later we were able to empty the whole lock and proceed. Sadly, for the boats behind us the CRT pressure washers then informed them that the would be 45 minutes to an hour doing the inside.

Whilst waiting Jenny was busy taking photos and watching the workers whilst Sid and boat sat in a three quarter filled lock. It was a strange sight which warranted some photos!  Jenny was asked, rather brusquely, by one of the chaps to stop taking photos. We wondered why this might be!!! What didn't they want on film??!!  We decided to insert one anyway!

CRT workers pressure hosing the lock gates

On to Cosgrove in warm sunshine, which was most welcome having started the day in rain! We took a short walk through the 'horse tunnel' which took us to the Barley Now where we just had to enter in order to ensure the quality of their ale was up to standard. It was! However, no wifi again!

Both ends of the Horse Tunnel at Cosgrove

It was a beautiful evening with sound of church bells ringing across the fields and at last a lovely sunset!

Next day we continued on our way towards Milton Keynes.  

Hunters Moon is now moored in Milton Keynes Marina while we have a very brief visit home.  We are looking after Emily on Friday and after tidying the garden, sorting the post, catching up with a few bits and pieces and visiting Jenny's mum we will return to MK on Saturday and resume our trip.  We hope to spend a few days in and around MK to explore and also to visit Bletchley Park so our next post may well be in code!

Sorry Matt and Wendy we almost forgot to say a big THANK YOU for collecting us at MK Marina and taking us to Fenny Compton to collect the car.  If these knights in shining armour had not offered us a lift it was going to take us nearly 5 hours to get to Fenny by public transport.  It was good to catch up with them after their honeymoon and share some time with them.

The next photo is especially for Pete and Sara:  This is the New Inn at New Bardswell which is the pub that has a parrot!  Sadly, we did not visit it to check!