Off to Great Linford

Not a bad morning, at least, no wind and no rain. What more could you want?

As you can see, the canal is smooth and still.

We saw this tugboat the other day but now we know where it's moored. What better than a waterside home with a boat just outside the door.

Through Cosgrove lock, a short stop to take on water and then over the Great Ouse Aqueduct.

Views to right and left.

And standing on guard...

a friendly heron.

As you pass through Stonebridge there is a mural showing all the industry associated with the Grand Union Canal.

It's quite a long mural and probably needs a couple more photos to get it all in. It was painted in 2011 and yet there's very little graffiti. 

Now what? You're blocking the canal! 

Oh, it's a gang of volunteers cleaning up the canal.

The barge they were towing was full to the gunwales and still they were piling more rubbish on top. As they moved past us they were trawling three hooks behind and we saw them pull two supermarket trollies out of the water. 

Believe it or not but this is Milton Keynes. The captain took a turn at steering so I had a chance to sit up front while I waited for the kettle to boil.

Arrived at Great Linford and performed a beautiful turn in the winding hole. Nobody watching, of course, especially when I didn't hit anything. Get people watching and I go all over the place.

The captain has just reminded me that there was a family watching us and that they were all waving away at us.

And this is our mooring for the night. Not a bad view is it?

After lunch we went for a walk around Great Linford Manor Park. When the canal came to this area it cut across the middle of the Manor lands. We are moored by a couple of lakes which, in their turn, were linked to a third. Crossing the canal we found the third lake complete with signboard explaining all.

Further on, walking along the path of the old railway track, we came across this elegant signpost.

Only a short walk today and now back to the boat.

These wooden sculptures are in a wild flower meadow and depict the different types of seeds.

Past the old almshouses which overlook the two lakes I mentioned earlier.

And here they are. And if I enlarge the middle of the picture.

Our mooring seen from the landward side. 

Time for a cuppa followed by a restful evening. Happy boating.