Down to Aylesbury and back

Last time we came along the Grand Union, the Aylesbury Arm was out of action due to a collapsed lock, so we were pleased to get there this time.  There are 16 narrow locks down and 16 back and we've enjoyed the excursion.  But to bring us up to date let's go back to last Wednesday.  Ian started the day by changing the engine oil and then we cruised in a short way to moorings in Leighton Buzzard which are right beside Tesco and Aldi.  So it was shopping time before we carried on out of Leighton to moor below Slapton Lock.

For a few locks we shared with an unusual little boat called Pickles and his entertaining owner, Charlie.  Here you can see both around Grove Lock which benefits from a Fullers pub alongside.  Pickles is apparently a Belgian River Boat and is a shade over 7 feet wide.  But we did just fit together.

This is Slapton Lock.  In the bushes to the right of the wide lock are the remains of a narrow lock that was built alongside to lessen the traffic jams in commercial days.

We had our first barbecue below Slapton Lock where we found a welcome patch of shade in this last of the really hot days.  The bucket is full of water in case of accidents with the barbecue!









On Thursday we climbed another 9 locks to Marsworth where the Aylesbury Arm turns off.

This picture illustrates a new technique we learned from a CRT volunteer.  Having one boat in a wide lock can throw the boat around when going up.  We've always opened the ground paddle on the same side as the boat which helps but our volunteer suggested also opening the gate paddles on the opposite side.  Seems to work to hold the boat into the side.

At the top of the Seabrook locks we were surprised to find a swing bridge.  Just like the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which has loads of them.

Next to our mooring at Marsworth was a field of poppies.  Helen took this picture which has a feeling of Monet about it.

 On a walk from the boat we came past the Startops reservoir, one of several that feed the canals.  You can just make out the canal to the left below the reservoir.

We are into butterflies this year.  This is a Marbled White which likes clover.  On some of our walks lately there have been hosts of butterflies taking to the wing as we disturbed the grass.  This must be a sign of good farming practices around here.

This is Marsworth Church.  The village has some lovely old buildings and green spaces.

The building behind the telegraph pole is the Red Lion pub.  Part thatched, the building is a delight, but the pub was not open when we passed.  However we dropped in for a drink today on our return to Marsworth.  Well kept London Pride and a fine garden made the trip worth while.






On Friday we set off for our weekend on the Aylesbury Arm.  There are few boats moving down there and the canal passes through quite a remote rural landscape before finally reaching the town six miles down.

Here is the top lock by the junction.  The first two locks form a staircase, the only one on the Grand Union.  A single storey lock keeper's house stands by the lock.

Here is Leo in the top lock.  The houses on the other side of the lock are recently built on the site of an old British Waterways yard.

A sign welcomes boaters and explains about staircase locks for the uninitiated.  Our problem was that the pound below the staircase was a fairly empty muddy ditch.  We think that lock 3, a few yards further must have been leaking overnight.  So we put Leo in the top lock and ran water through until the pound below was deep enough.

Black Jack's Lock is number 4 and has a delightful garden alongside, both above and below the lock.

After 11 locks we entered a very shallow pound where progress was pretty slow.  We passed Bates Boatyard which has some traditional boats in various states of restoration.  Bilge pumps cut in as you pass suggesting that some of them would sink without constant pumping out.

I told you we are into butterflies!  This one is a Comma.













We spent Friday night in a quiet rural spot part way down the locks and carried on down the last 5 locks on Saturday.

Some sections of the Arm have lots of reed growth with a narrow channel down the middle.  This reminded us of the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool which we cruised last year.

The last bridge before the end at Aylesbury is a new one but built to a traditional style and won prizes for its design.  The bridgeholes are very narrow and one has only a couple of inches clearance.

Here is Helen sitting next to Ronnie Barker outside the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury.  One of his early performances was in a hall in Aylesbury.

 The museum is well worth a visit and it's free.  The exhibits are well set out and explained and there is a lovely walled garden, seen here, where tea and cake is a must.

Aylesbury has some lovely old buildings especially around the church and was a delight to wander around.

This is Church Street with St Mary's Church at the end.

You can see Leo in the middle here moored on pontoons with Waitrose alongside and the Waterside Theatre behind the tree.  We heard that there have been problems with boats being interfered with by late night youths but we were OK.

On Saturday evening we went to the theatre (just 2 minutes walk from the boat).  This view was taken from upstairs in the theatre.  We saw 'That'll be the Day' with music from the 50s, 60s and 70s played by some very talented musicians.  The audience seemed to be the same sort of age as we are.  I wonder why?



On Sunday we left Aylesbury but we didn't get all the way back to the main line.  What with shopping, filling with water and getting rid of rubbish, the day just seemed to disappear.  So we've finished the return today (Monday) and are now moored right on the junction at the top.

As we left Aylesbury there were lots of people lining the towpath.  It was not to wave goodbye to Leo though: there was a family fun run and canoeing festival going on.

The canoes kindly got out of our way and then covered the water behind with a rainbow of colours.













From another rural mooring on Sunday afternoon we did our usual local walk and came back through Wilstone.  We had heard music as we approached and found the whole village was having an open day.  So yet more tea and cakes!  The folk group playing at the Half Moon pub was very good too.

So today we've come back to Marsworth and here you can see Leo in the lower lock of the staircase near the top of the Arm.  Going down the Aylesbury Arm was a pleasant diversion and it was lovely to have narrow locks again.  The Arm is shallow and was a bit overgrown with vegetation but it is good to have a bit of a challenge now and again.

This is the sign at Marsworth junction right next to the boat.  From here our way lies south towards Brentford and London.  But before we start the long descent into London we have another 7 wide locks to climb up to summit level to get over the Chiltern Hills.