Saturday 11th Oct. The weather is good so we loose off from Cosgrove and head south across the aqueduct. We were only planning a single day cruising so not a lot of food or luggage to load aboard Jannock before setting off. The way was good until we happened across a South bound broad beam narrowboat below Great Linford. I know that this description does not ring true but how else can you describe these bloated cruisers? They slowed to a crawl for every bridge hole as well as rightly slowing to pass moored boats. Luckily for us they pulled into the bank and moored up near Newlands and so we could continue at our own pace again. As we passed Peartree we noticed that Thorn and Persephone no longer appear to be moored offside here. Down through Fenny Stratford lock with some willing assistance with the offside gate by pub-goers enjoying the garden in the sunshine. At Willowbridge we stopped and replaced two gas cylinders and refilled with 133 litres of fuel at 81ppl. As we passed the long layby North of Stoke Hammond we found Thorn and Persephone plus another tug all painted in a smart matching light and dark Grey colour scheme. Through Stoke Hammond lock sharing with a Wyvern Shipping hirer who assured Brenda that she'd soon get the hang of working these locks once she's done a few - I'm glad I wasn't within earshot to hear her reply ;^} and then onto bridge 106 where we moored up and I went and fetched the car. We also picked some nice blackberries before heading home which we ad for us tea! Graham www.jannock.org.uk
