Bugbrooke – Norton – Braunston

After leaving Bugbrooke we had a quick stop at Weedon Bec for the shops and moored overnight just before Norton junction. Called in at the anchor Cottage Craft shop for ice creams and was tempted into buying a stool. Our visitors Susan and Brian arrived a day earlier than expected so we sampled the food at the New Inn. Set off the next morning for Braunston tunnel, which was very busy and we had to negotiate passing several boats. Two of which were on the dog leg section and was rather tight, one other managed to ram nb Teapot.

Anchor Cottage Crafts, Buckby Wharf

Our new purchase

 

Turning at Norton Junction towards Braunston

Entering Braunston Tunnel

Light at the end of the tunnel

Stoke Bruerne to Bugbrooke

Early start to go through Blisworth tunnel as we wanted to get ahead of two working boats to avoid the fumes, even though you can pass in the tunnel we were lucky not to have to pass anyone. It took us 35 minutes to get through to Blisworth, not too bad for the third longest tunnel. We stopped off at Gayton Marina as we were booked in for our engine to be serviced, they are based on the Northampton arm so we had a short cruise then on to the winding hole just before the locks before heading back onto the Grand Union. We would have liked to have gone onto the River Nene but the water levels are so low on the lock chambers it wasn’t advisable.

Coming into Stoke Bruerne heading for the tunnel

Serenity entering Blisworth tunnel

Looking back at the Northern portal

Depot of the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company, now converted to housing

Sharp right to the Northampton Arm

Banbury Lane Bridge, typical three storey building for the GU

Cosgrove to Stoke Bruerne

Claire and Jason came to visit and to take mum and dad home, it was lovely to see them. We celebrated mum’s birthday in the Barley Mow. Left Cosgrove in the sun, but then we had steady rain, it had to happen sooner or later, the good thing was it did brighten again in the afternoon. We visited the museum at Stoke Bruerne and had a walk to the tunnel entrance.

Ornate bridge leaving Cosgrove

Chamber for weighing the boats

 

Stoke Bruerne top lock

Middle section of the Blisworth tunnel, re-opened after 4 years in 1984

Sunset over Stoke Bruerne

Milton Keynes to Cosgrove

Having really enjoyed Milton Keynes and its splendid parks it was time to leave. We had seen advertised a canal festival at Cosgrove so we headed there for the weekend. Arrangements had also been made to collect mum and dad after their two week stay.

Leaving Milton Keynes

Just enough of a gap to get through without scratching the sides

An impressive mural next to the former LNWR rail works

Iron Trunk Aquaduct, crossing the River Ouse

Wire sculpture, Cosgrove lock

Highly recommended

Horse tunnel to get the horses to the pub stables, now a pedestrian walkway

Lock ransom, raising money for the restoration of the Buckingham branch

Traditional dress

Leighton Buzzard to Milton Keynes

Not too many locks today, just Soulbury Locks a flight of three, Stoke Hammond lock and Fenny Stratford lock before arriving at Milton Keynes and luckily found moorings adjacent to Campbell Park.

Soulbury Flight

 

The face sculpture, Campbell Park

Water skiing, Willen Lake

The Circle of Hearts Medicine Wheel

Peace Pagoda

Remembrance Tree

Hiroshima Memorial

Total lock count to date: 427 locks

Wendover Arm – Marsworth – Leighton Buzzard

Had a lovely cruise back on the Wendover Arm. The Grand Union has now become very picturesque with vast countryside and wonderful views. We found a very pleasant overnight mooring just outside Marsworth, the next day we cruised past the chalk lion of Whipsnade and moored overnight just outside Leigton Buzzard.

Turned left towards Braunston

 

Marsworth Reservoir

The Chilterns

The railway bridge connected to the Great Train Robbery

No longer in use narrow beam chambers duplicated alongside wide locks, allowing boats to use less water and cope with growing traffic, the pumping stations were also introduced to return the water to the summit.

  Leaving Grove Lock

Dudswell to Wendover Arm

On leaving Dudswell, one lock only today, we then called in at Cowroast Marina for diesel. We had a lovely cruise through Tring cutting and took the detour onto the Wendover Arm which was well worth doing. After another fantastic day we had to finish with a bbq.

Tring Summit

Former Bulbourne Depot

Bulbourne Dry Dock, sharp left turn to the Wendover Arm

Start of the Wendover Arm

Heygates Flour Mill

A good day had by all