Wednesday 13th July:

The crew of Roger Morgan, Steve Morgan, Mike Chivas and Andy de Hutiray arrived at Stoke to pick up the pair loaded with coal just after noon. The boats were moored just below the first 2 locks at the top of the flight.
After a pause to take on liquids (the temperature was a sweltering 30 C) we set off down the 5 remaining locks just after 2pm. On leaving the bottom lock progress was very slow. A stop at Yardley Wharf with one of the crew in his Speedos examining the stern gear soon revealed significant weeds, plastic bags and rope around the prop. Progress from Yardley to Cosgrove was better and we moored at Cosgrove on the visitor moorings at bridge 65. After a meal on the boats we retired to the Barley Mow to discuss the day’s events.
Thursday 14th July:
Another day of glorious sunshine! After passing through Cosgrove lock, the 11 mile pound through Milton Keynes was passed without incident. On reaching Fenny Stratford lock, we were greeted by a lock resident avoiding her water meter charges by filling up her garden watering can from the lock!
We continued along the pound to Stoke Hammond lock without problem, but on passing through this lock it was clear that the water level was low in the pound above the lock. Our intention to moor for the night below Stoke Hammond 3 was roundly prevented by an inability to get the boats closer than 4 ft from the bank. Nuneaton was even throwing up considerable debris from the bottom of the cut when right in the centre of the channel below the bottom lock. After passing through the three locks we moored for the night in another pound short of water.
Friday 15th July:
Word from boats coming up from Linslade was that water levels were low through Old Linslade to Leighton Lock. We therefore set off somewhat wary and were not surprised to be troubled by an obstruction under bridge 108 which caused concern that we would lose the ellum from its mountings on the butty. However, after safely coming through that we went aground shortly after (the only time on the trip) at a very sharp bend where there simply was not enough central channel to get a 70ft round the corner. Fortunately 5 minutes of heaving and shoving saw us on our way to the Tesco's in Leighton Buzzard for some provisions and lunch.
The afternoon saw us through Grove Lock and mooring up early for the night as the day job (via 2 telephone conferences) interfered with the greater pleasures of boating.
Saturday 16th July:
The last day of the trip continued in the same glorious sunshine that had brought us from Stoke Bruerne. We came up the 9 locks to Marsworth passing out recruitment leaflets to a number of people who remarked how great it was to see the cut being used for “commercial” work again.
We finally moored up just south of bridge 129 at 11am in preparation for some cleaning/tidying work to show the boats to the expected throng arriving for the AGM in the afternoon!

Roger Morgan.

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