Granny Buttons: Hillmorton to Leighton Buzzard

August 2012

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Hillmorton to Leighton Buzzard

Just got back after taking Granny from Hillmorton to Leighton Buzzard over four days Thurs-Sunday. And as usual Canalplan's timings are spookily accurate. The only difference is that I parked t'boat t'south end of Blisworth Tunnel, not t'north end that Canalplan reckoned on.

I didn't see Sue on No Problem, despite the fact that I must have passed her at Gayton Junction. It was probably because I went past in the dark.

I did definitely remember seeing Moore2Life, though can't remember where. And had no reason to remember. Except, it was only on my return to my flat tonight that I discovered that Moore2Life has just started a blog too.

Highlights of my four days:

Refueled with Ivor Batchelor on nb Mountbatten at Braunston. His diesel tank holds 2,700 litres (that's almost 594 Imperial gallons - know how I know? Because I typed '2,700 litres in UK gallons' into Google - try it and discover Google Calculator!) and I had 150 litres of it at 40p/gallon. That's cheaper than the 42p of Braunston Marina, and a bargain compared with the eye-watering 45p of Whilton Marina. Ivor is a fount of useful waterways gossip. I daren't repeat most of it!
Depressed at the big-screen Sky TV at the New Inn, Buckby Top Lock. This pub has a prime position, but on the night I went (Thurs) I found to be depressingly down-market, with surly untrained staff and constant sports TV.
Passing through both Braunston and Blisworth Tunnels in the dark. 'Surely all canal tunnels are in the dark?' you ask. Well, yes, but entering a long canal tunnel in the dark, and on your own, is a doubly-spooky experience, not least because you have no reassurance of the light from either end. I had all lights blazing in my boat, but still was looking, every other moment, over my shoulder for Kit Crewbucket or other ghostly denizens.
Discovering that Stoke Bruerne has no proper grocers or food shop to speak of.
Meeting Mike of NB Phoenixx at Linford Park. Another of those accidental meetings. I didn't know who he was at first. The name's not painted on his boat and I'd not seen him before. I nagged him to update his blog, which he hasn't done for a while.
Seeing the 'wanted' posters for Finch and worrying about him. Doesn't Finch look like how you'd imagine Sirius Black might look? Rumour has it that he (Finch, not Sirius) has reached Cosgrove near Milton Keynes, going south. When I tied up at Leighton Buzzard today, a full day's cruising beyond Cosgrove, a guy on a nearby boat said airily "Oh, yes, I heard about him. He slept under that bridge a couple of nights ago [pointing to the road bridge that connects Leighton with Linslade, just a hundred yards from Granny's new mooring] - but I think he's gone now". Ulp!