Wind and glare, not a good combination.

 Tuesday 3rd October

6.45 pm and a wonderful red sky to greet us as we walked to the Navigation. Hope this bodes well for the 'morrow.

Had a brilliant evening with Colin, Iwona, Oscar and Oliver. It was Oscars birthday and as a treat, we all started with chilli cheese Nachos. Groan...this diet of mine has done nothing but go downhill since returning from Oz. 😟 Maybe best wait until after Christmas to kick start it again. 😉

 Leaving Stoke Bruerne later than normal and yes the day was fine, we expected to be locking down on our own, but as Ian was filling the lock, a hire boat turned up. It was that windy that as soon as the gate was open I waved the hirers in. They struggled to hold the boat out and with me on the landing, there was nowhere for them to stop. Great to be joined by another boat although both of us struggled to keep the boats on the straight as those gusts took us both sideways. At one point I ended up on the opposite bank and had to power forward running FS's bow along the cladding to get her in. Ian cringed as more blacking was scrapped off! But not just the wind that was the problem, the glare of the water was blinding. Glad I had the polarised sunglasses to hand.

Ian and Marion

That's Adrian on the Alvechurch boat

That 5 miles from the bottom of Stoke Bruerne flight to Cosgrove seemed endless. Sections of the canal, although deep in the middle, was very shallow on the sides and a particularly bad section was just before Thrupp Wharf Marina.  Avoiding a wash was almost impossible, so slowing to 1000 rpm was the only option as anything faster started that wave build up.

Sat and waited for Marian and Adrian at Cosgrove lock and then sent them on their way before us. We were only going as far as Woverton to do a shop and they wanted to make Campbell Park in Milton Keynes before it got dark.

Cosgrove below the lock. Never able to get a mooring here.

Great Ouse aqueduct.

No sooner had we pulled in at Wolverton when we realised that the couple walking toward us was none other than Del and Al  Derwent 6. Must have spent a good 20 minutes chatting and laughing about....of all things... long drops! (Very basic toilet just a bucket with a hole) Both had been to Australia and kept as in stitches about what to do if you're caught short. Must say I haven't laughed so much in ages. As they are heading towards Berkhampsted our paths will no doubt cross again.

As it was nearly 3 pm when we returned from Asda, we decided to find a suitable mooring instead of continuing to Gifford Park. Nice and rural and away from trains and traffic. The fire was lit, coal put on, so cosy and warm; this is what makes those cold nights bearable. 

And seen on route,

Ironman at the winding hole below Cosgrove lock

And wildlife.