An impatient overtaking manoeuvre

 8th October

For the beginning of October, gosh I can't believe how lovely the weather is. What a perfect day to leave after spending 6 days at this mooring. We head towards Milton Keynes. First a stop at Wolverton for a food shop. Being a Sunday the superstore won't be open until 10 am so there was no need to leave early.  A short but lovely 20 minute cruise and we arrived in Wolverton by 10 15 am.

 

Lovely place to stay for several days.

Coming under the railway bridge at Wolverton we had a job to dodge the pigeon poo. So many birds roosting on the beams and that smell of guano .... talk about strong. The path under the bridge was littered with the stuff, No dawdling, best get through as quick as possible. We got our mugs of tea covered pretty quick 'just in case.' Didn't fancy extra flavouring thank you very much! 

 

The convenient mooring for Lidl, Asda and Tesco, (all stores within a short walking distance of each other but Lidl was our preferred food store) was overlooked by flats and a figure of 'Reaching Forward' all shiny and dominant near to the steps leading up to the road. There are small cyclists on the left arm which is supposed to depict the modern day.

I forgot to take a photo but this was one of mine back in 2015.

There was another similar figure on the other side of the canal, very rusty, and I took this excerpt from Ficker web site.   https://www.flickr.com/photos/48166939@N06/52239847417

On the heritage side the figure is made from corten steel, rusting and aging in harmony with the qualities of the old brickwork of the railway building. Along the arm of the figure sits a steam train, reminding people of the heritage of the site.

 Ian took this photo on our way back from shopping because no longer can it be seen from the canal. Branches of trees again!

Within an hour of the shop we were on our way to Gifford Park. How I love this part of the Grand Union, everything looks fresh and well maintained and although plenty of housing estates along the way, all neat and tidy and no graffiti seen anywhere! There was the usual issue with offside vegetation though, and this branch could seriously catch you out if meeting another boat, especially with the moored boats alongside.

Just the right height to sweep everything off the roof.

Not far past that tree and we came across a bit of a confrontation between a narrow boat and a cruiser.  Both had passed FS just after a narrow section, in fact we stopped to allow them both through. They seemed awfully close to one another, almost as if on tow and as the cruiser drew level with us, could hear some shouting from the chap. Thinking we were the target, and getting ready to say something, a reply came back from within the narrow boat. It was all to do with that cruiser owner being too impatient and wanting that front boat to move over. In fact he started to try and overtake forcing that chap to steer toward the moored boats. 

Much cussing and swearing ensued and the reverse from that narrow boat owner caused the engine to billow clouds of smoke. I'm not sure if that static boat was hit, It looked as if the sudden reverse worked but as we carried on into the distance, their f'ing and blinding could still be heard for ages!

The stop at the services was long! One boat already using the one and only tap which took an age. Finally our turn but a good 20 minutes went by before the gauge showed full. And the bin cupboard...OMG the smell was horrendous. The bins were slightly to one side of the elsan but below so what with the smell of rotting rubbish and the pong of emptying the cassette...well I hope I haven't put you off your dinner!

So eventually we pulled away to find somewhere to stop and luckily a space was found not too much further along. Plenty of boats still on the move and all heading the way we are going. Our next stop will be Campbell Park, our son wants to take his dad out for dinner seeing as it will be Ian's birthday on the 12th. There is apparently a new restaurant opened in Milton Keynes centre which he wants to try. Fingers crossed a mooring can be found near to the park but I'm not holding my breath.

And wildlife