Just perfect!
23rd Apr 2011, 23:53
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'Pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the future'
A glorious day to sit and wait patiently for a wily old carp to come along!
22nd Apr 2011, 15:28
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Moored In the shade of an old 'crack-willow' we came across a hoard of 'Stella Artois' empty beer cans and other discarded packaging hidden behind it, which we crushed and bagged.
Such a pretty out-of-the-way-spot too! Although it's even better knowing that it's unspoilt again.
19th Apr 2011, 17:08
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Idyllic!
19th Apr 2011, 10:31
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Photo:
1. A fisherman opposite the galley window.
2. Oak Wood.
3. A Swan's rest.
4. Mixed blossom.
5. Lock nameplate.
We drifted quietly through Milton Keynes on Monday impressed by the majestically tall stands of poplar trees bordering the canal interspersed with landscaped housing developments, criss-crossed with well defined footpaths, and near litter-free towpaths. We moored for two nights just north of Stoke Hammond and then locked up to Stoke Hammond on Wednesday.
We'll be moving on tomorrow (Monday)after spending the last few days enjoying fine weather and walking amongst the peacefulness of the Oak Wood trees.
17th Apr 2011, 16:10
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Photo:
1. Linford island heronry.
2. No stopping him.
3. Time for a stick and a chat.
4. The remains of St Peters.
After leaving Grafton Regis, where lambing was in full swing, we refuelled and picked up a gas bottle at Kingfisher Marina then locked down at Cosgrove (3'4") and food shopped at Wolverton on the way.
We're now moored on the northern outskirts of Milton Keynes with great views overlooking the Great Ouse river and Linford Lakes towards Haversham. There's a Heronry amongst a stand of trees on one of the lake islands and the young are making that comical begging call only they can make.
Gunner has been making up for his lack of swimming practice over the winter months and is hardly ever out of the river when I take him for his evening 'walk'. He'll easily swim a quarter of a mile before he feels the need to get out to catch his breath or check on where I am having lost sight of me on a bend. Then I get a soaking as he greets me like a long lost friend and spins around in circles with excitement spraying water everywhere. I could stop him in his tracks just by showing him the palm of my hand but he's so full of excited enthusiasm that it's a joy to be around him. He certainly brings a smile to my face. You'd think we were nuts to see us lying side by side in the grass enjoying the view with me talking to him.
8th Apr 2011, 11:15
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Photo:
1/2/3. Church masonry.
4. Blisworth tunnels south portal.
5. Blossoms out.
On Monday we serviced the boat at Gayton Junction and then made our way through Blisworth Tunnel (at 3057 yards, the 3rd longest canal tunnel on the network) and locked down the Stoke Bruerne flight of seven (40') to moor just north of Grafton Regis.
We've now passed through all the major tunnels on the canal network.
We'll stay here for a few days to give us time to explore some of the local history and footpath destinations before resuming our journey.
At bridge 57 British Waterways removed a full 25ltr container and washing-up bowl of waste oil left on the towpath along with a rotten fender, a piece of carpet and two tyres. Do some people have no conscience? Thanks to BW's Ian Final (Waterway Supervisor for G.U.South) for responding so quickly to remove the offending items blighting an otherwise unspoilt stretch of rural canal.
The weather has been changeable over the past week, but with little if any rain to bother us. Today our washing is out drying in a balmy breeze with the occasional sunshine adding a touch of brightness to an otherwise grey sky.
2nd Apr 2011, 15:52
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You can now twitter us at @wilvir514, join us at litteraction.org.uk/narrowboat-wilvir or leave a message attached to this post.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support by either stopping for a chat or thanking me from the tiller as they've passed by while I'm out clearing litter from the towpath up to a mile either side of where we've moored. Last evening a passing hire-boat crew, here on holiday from the States gave me an enthusiastic round of applause while I was out 'litter-picking and even took the time to hale Ginny as they passed 'wilvir' to thank her too.
30th Mar 2011, 13:11
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