Slightly awkward to get onto the facilities from the bridge. |
The Globe |
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. |
And lots of wildlife today but won't bombard you with all today.
4 comments:
... and if the Lock being closed isn't bad enough, you can't even get in to the Harry Potter tour @ Warner Brother studio because that's closed too ๐
The way your luck is going Irene I wouldn't waste your money on a lottery ticket ๐คฃ
Hi Irene and Ian,
I hope the weed in the Aylesbury Arm has been cleared - if not, expect very slow going and lots of weedhatch clearing for the last section before the marina!
When you get to the Canal Society marina, can you find and say hello to Sarah, an NZer living on a boat there with her English husband, please? Their boat has a cartoon of a duck on it, but I cannot remember its name ...
Here are my posts about the Aylesbury adventures:
http://nbwakahuia.blogspot.com/2019/08/aylesbury-canal-society-rocks.html
http://nbwakahuia.blogspot.com/2019/08/tiredy-pops.html
Big hugs to you both, M&Dxxoo
Hi Kevin, Ever since this year began we have had one mishap after another. I think the sooner 2020 is over the better for us!
Hi Marilyn, That weed was a concern of ours but I'm hoping boats will have left from the marina. Showing Ian your photos from last year he went straight to the Nicholsons to see where the first winding hole was 'Just in case'. If we manage to get to the marina we will look out for the 'duck' and Sarah.
Xxx
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