That lady was not for turning

 Shopping and services, both urgent as we had run out of booze, (most important) peppers and cucumber and only slightly less urgent was the emptying of the loo! So onto the Tesco 2 hour mooring before 8am for said booze and then a very short cruise through the bridge 'ole to the facilities.

Slightly awkward to get onto the facilities from the bridge.

 Grove lock had a notice pinned to the beam. I thought initially it was for Covid advice but seems lock 32 had a problem with one of the bottom gates, only one would open restricting wide beams from entering.

The Globe

 Of course, it being Saturday all and sunder were using the waterway. Canoes a plenty and one paddleboarder. Not at all aware that we were following behind and even a blast on the horn didn't make her look round. She eventually caught up with a Wyvern boat (yep it was going that slow) and when three canoeists came through the bridge I think they made her aware of our presence 'cos she then looked back and stopped.

Having ascended Slapton lock with the hirers, left them to wind at the first winding hole, ascended Horton lock we arrived at Ivinghoe lock 32. It was very obvious why wide beams were unable to proceed as these photos will show.  Looked like the gate had collapsed or maybe been lifted out of the cup but it was being propped up with blocks of wood.

 

It was at Seabrook bottom lock that a lone boater waited for us with the gate open. Just as I had entered a shout from above warned me that a swan family had also entered the lock but the two adults and one Cygnet had then managed to swim out. The remaining Cygnet was now trapped in front of FS and with that other boat already next to me, had no means of escape.  Spur of the moment decision...reverse back out! Cygnet just about squeezed out to rejoin the family. Phew...panic over...or so I thought.

 The lone boater had started to close the gate when that stupid determined Cob tried to lead the family back in. By now the gate was almost closed and I had to shout to the guy to hold fire with the closing otherwise we may well have had a horribly squished Cygnet.

Took me waving the boat pole at them to persuade them to leave but it worked and we eventually ascended the lock.

Having made up our minds to take a jaunt down the Aylesbury Arm, we stopped just before the Marsdon locks. It's been years since we ventured that way and quite looking forward to doing the single locks again. 16 locks in all and hopefully it won't be to hard a slog.

 And seen on route.

You can just make out Ian waiting to close the swingbridge.

 Oh dear, this came from C&RT today Stoppage at Lock 71 Grand Union Canal (nr Kings Langley) Reason, Structure failure. Apparently, the engines (I think C&RT meant engineers) will be on-site from the 20th to assess the damage. You can view the notice here

And lots of wildlife today but won't bombard you with all today.