Grand Union Canal - Aylesbury to Leighton Buzzard
15 June 2003
Sunday dawns sunny and hot, with a view of Aylesbury canal basin with the Inland
Revenue office towering overhead. At one time there
were proposals to extend the canal down the valley of the Thame to the Thames
near Abingdon (to meet with the Wilts & Berks canal there), but the plans came
to nothing, and so the line became a branch.
A beautiful still morning as we cruise back towards Marsworth along this
delightfully quiet stretch of canal
Approaching Marsworth, our lock-wheelers Merry and Helen have been hard at work, and we cruise
straight into the open lock
Lunch was at at the White Lion at Marsworth, with its large beer garden/patio. A
couple of old wooden boats grace the towpath opposite the pub.
Back on the main line of the Grand Union Canal
Gate paddle gear on one of the upper gates of Lock 38, just below Marsworth
A busy scene at Lock 37 as we descend towards Leighton Buzzard
One of the Seabrook Locks
Helen, Lucy and Jane catching up on the gossip as the lock empties
Sheila opens the lock gate
Craig (our visitor for the day) on the other gate
Helen has lifted the paddle and waits for the lock to empty
Jane checking the map
Handbell ringing on the move
Stephen, Craig, Mary and Helen looking cheerful
A bridge carrying the towpath over the entrance to a long-gone basin
Jane watching the world go by
Mooring next to Tesco in Leighton Buzzard
Stephen, Alan, Craig, Jane, Lucy, Helen, Sheila, Mary and Merry
Unfortunately on Monday morning it was time to give Splendid back to
Wyvern Shipping, but a
splendid boat it was, with efficient service from the boatyard staff at both
ends of the holiday. Although location is a factor, it was the first time Lucy
and Stephen had used a hire company twice.
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