Grand Union Canal Holiday
4-7 June 2004
The same eight bellringers who last year
took a boat from Linslade to
Aylesbury, this year started at Blisworth (near Northampton) on the Grand
Union Canal, and our long weekend took us north to Crick, on the Leicester line
of the Grand Union.
![Watford locks, Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-153716.jpg)
On Saturday afternoon, Mary sees our boat NB Savernake Tunnel into the
bottom of the Watford locks
![Narrowboat in lock, Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-153833.jpg)
Lucy watches the gates close
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154203.jpg)
The lock-keeper winds down the ground paddle as Merry and Sheila open the gate
![Grand Junction Canal Company sign, Watford](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154247.jpg)
The sign shows that we are on the Leicester line of the Grand Union (formerly
Grand Junction) Canal
![Leicester line of Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154312.jpg)
Savernake Tunnel glides across the pound to the second lock
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154410.jpg)
Jane watches progress as Helen, Alan and Sheila prepare to close the gates
![Staircase locks, Grand Union Canal, Watford](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154504.jpg)
After the second lock is this staircase of four locks, with their unusual side
pounds
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-154810.jpg)
Savernake Tunnel negotiates the right turn from the second lock into the
staircase
![Grand Union Canal at Crick](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-05-185645.jpg)
We moored for the night at Crick, and had a very good meal at the Red Lion. Here
we look back through Bridge 11 to Crick Tunnel
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-081042.jpg)
Our mooring spot for the night
![Lock gates, Grand Union Canal, Watford](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-103057.jpg)
Lucy and Helen wait to close the gates as Savernake Tunnel waits in the
top lock for the staircase to be readied.
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-114308.jpg)
Lucy taking a turn at the tiller
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-114422.jpg)
Bridge holes were a frequent point for dropping off and picking up the crew when
they wanted to have a walk
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-114539.jpg)
Crew ashore as we near the end of the Leicester line
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-115125.jpg)
The junction bridge, and site of a very badly sited water point, which can only
be used by boats going south, unless you block the bridge hole
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-135343.jpg)
A bright and cheerful bridge
![Buckby locks, Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-144428.jpg)
Descending the Buckby flight of locks
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-144524.jpg)
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-144757.jpg)
Our boat leaves the penultimate lock of the flight, Alan coming via the road
while the others come underneath
![Bottom lock, Buckby flight, Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-144931.jpg)
Lucy steers Savernake Tunnel into the bottom lock of the Buckby flight
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-145148.jpg)
Alan winds up the paddle as the final descent begins
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-145258.jpg)
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-145529.jpg)
Nearly there!
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-145945.jpg)
Bye bye locks
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-161623.jpg)
Still, it is a beautiful afternoon, so plenty to be cheerful about
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-161722.jpg)
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-161901.jpg)
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-162425.jpg)
More towpath walkers waiting to be picked up
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-163431.jpg)
A hawk is an unusual sight on top of a narrowboat
![Banbury Lane Bridge, Grand Union Canal](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-182759.jpg)
Banbury Lane Bridge is a delightful setting
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-182820.jpg)
Watch out - boat coming!
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-182913.jpg)
Safely through, but attention at the stern remains on that other boat, and the
those at the bow are dragged through a tree
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-193125.jpg)
Our mooring on Sunday night is just north of Blisworth
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-193203.jpg)
![](../../images/2004/2004-06/2004-06-06-193343.jpg)
Another very enjoyable holiday - preliminary plans are already
being developed for next year.
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