Stoke Bruerne to Linslade, a festival and return to Cosgrove! 40 miles and 16 locks

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to visit Linslade on Saturday.  We had a wonderful day and all things permitting, we will return next year.

We began our week by setting off down the locks at Stoke Bruerne and filling up with water at the bottom at the waterpoint

Whilst we were there, historic narrowboat pair Nuneaton and Brighton came out of the bottom lock behind us on their way to London on their annual coal run.  

3 pairs together: Jule's Fuels pair on their mooring, the aforementioned and our's!

Out into the country again

Approaching Cosgrove, I jumped off the butty to pull this narrowboat back against the piling and re-secure it

Cosgrove historic iron trunk aquaduct

The butty crossing the aquaduct

Catching up with Nuneaton and Brighton again.  They were on a long line through Milton Keynes, and taking it very steady, so we passed them to get out of their way!

Saturday's festival was busier than ever and everyone reported good takings!

Our gift shop with many people along the towpath

The festival finished around 5pm, but there were lots of people milling around.

Sunday, we had a day of rest, especially after his lordship had managed to fall spectacularly off the bow of the butty on Saturday evening, bruising his back on the path (and pride!) 

 Return journey yesterday began with a top up on the waterpoint, extremely camouflaged by a willow tree

After a degree of harsh pruning with the loppers, we hopefully ensured that no one else would lose any items off their roof pulling in for water, after us!  Fountains ~ get this sorted!!

Entering the straight to take us past Tesco and boaters' 2 hour dedicated mooring for shopping

Bob and Sandra's boat 'All Things Spanish' 

Passing Wyvern hire boats and a quick moor up for us, errands in town and return to moor down below Soulbury Locks for the evening

Setting off this morning, we past the wonderful gardens of widebeam Winterfell (Yes ~ Game of Thrones aficionados, there is a boat called Winterfell!)

Private marina at Fenny Stratford

Signets seem to be thriving in this part of the world!

We intend to get to Cosgrove for this evening and then Stoke Bruerne for the weekend to trade.  The next festival on the list is Blisworth the following weekend, please come and join us if you can!

The Blisworth Canal Festival