We left Marsworth and turned left onto the Aylesbury Arm. The staircase pair
was set against us indicating that we had another boat preceding us down the
arm. Imaging my surprise to find locks 3 and 4 in our favour before
returning to normal.
I will admit to preferring the Oxford style of gates that have the walk
across ledge set below the top of the gate as you cannot cross the gap from
a single open gate on the Aylesbury style of lockgates. The folding pushbike
certainly proved it's worth again although the towpath is some places is
downright dangerous.
We stooped for lunch between the two Puttenham locks before continuing on
the the basin at Aylesbury.
Having winded (badly) and moored up we went over to the Aylesbury Canal
Society as I had been meaning to join for some time. They were so glad to
see us that they threw a tea party (No, we had happened to arrive on the day
of their annual tea party and barbeque event). Brenda was well impressed
with four types of tea, six types of sandwich, scones with two flavours of
jam as well as more cake than you would know what to do with.
Matt, No. two son, was at Silverstone with the Uni. and came to visit us
bringing Jo with him. Jo, being Portuguese, has never seen a canal boat and
so we left the basin to give her a trip up through the first lock so that
Matt could explain it all to her. They walked back to their car whilst we
continued up through Broughton lock to moor in the countryside above.
A late supper, due to an excess of cake etc, was accompanied by the most
amazing sunset.
Awoke to find Sunday fair after a very peaceful night. Set off towards
Marsworth at nine o'clock and found we were being followed by Brian Holmes
of 'In the Pink' fame. I back emptied every lock as we progressed as I was
using the bike and he was single handing.
We had a very quick run up from Aylesbury with no hassles at all until we
arrived at the staircase. Here I managed to overflow the bottom lock by not
closing the middle paddle as we moved into lock 1. My fault entirely but I
was being distracted at the time and I soon sorted the problem once I was
aware of what I'd done. It's amazing how easy it is to make simple mistakes
like that when you are not fully focused on what you are doing. Ooooooooops.
Moored Jannock, cleared up and arrived home just as the rain started.
