Lyra's Travels

Tuesday 7th August 2012
Planned a longer journey today, Cath wanted to do a roast in the slow cooker so we decided to go to Milton Keynes in one shot.
Of course, as soon as we set off it started to rain. Just very light stuff, but annoying non the less. It didn't amount to anything, and we continued down the Stoke Bruerne lock flight. All the locks were nearly full as we approached them so it didn't take long to reach the bottom. Here there was a volunteer lock assistant who kindly had it all ready for us. There seems to be more and more of these people turning up at lock flights since the new Canal & River Trust took over, and it's a great idea.
After using the service block at the bottom of the locks we chugged off southward. The weather again started to look threatening and soon it was raining again, only light at first, but then there was a short sharp squall just as Cath, having finished the breakfast dishes came up on deck. She quickly dug me out a brolly and ducked back inside. I don't blame her!
It rained for about 15 minutes, but then cleared again and it looked like it might even cheer up later.
At Cosgrove we did the final lock of the day. There was plenty of traffic around, so plenty of help and we were soon through.
Now we were getting close to Milton Keynes and the surroundings started to get built up. At Cosgrove there are some moorings, but they are right by a railway station so are probably a bit noisy. At bit further is an interesting mural depicting the railway and other means of transport.
We have now moored up about a mile from where we think we can catch a bus into town. It's a lovely place, open fields and no signs of the nearby town.

Waiting for lock 17, Stoke Bruerne Flight

Looking down Stoke Bruerne Flight

Part of a mural near Wolverton, Grand Union Canal

Its a long mural!