There was a slight hiatus this morning when we found we had forgotten something at the Barley Mow where we had had a lovely meal last night. Fortunately we realised before we left the area.
The view back to Cosgrove from the water point.
We moved up to take water, having to wait mid cut whilst another boat finished off. Just a little further comes the lock. Above the lock is the old junction with the Buckingham Canal that went there via Old Stratford. Boats and sea going vessels were built nearby at Stoney Stratford. The firm of Edward Hayes developed a great reputation for marine engines and boat building and built tugs, sea going vessels and river launches for places as far away as Russia and Egypt. They were built and then towed by traction engine down Watling Street to the wharf at Old Stratford and then launched sideways into the canal. They were then stripped in order to make the trip to London down the London. There they were deconstructed and sent onwards.
A launch of a vessel for Edward Hayes.
Also at the top of the lock are a few rail lines that apparently are from a line that used to be hauled from the sand pits near the junction of the Rivers Great Ouse and Tove.
The remains of the narrow gauge railway bringing sand to Cosgrove Wharf.
Chris brings the boat into the lock at the Buckingham Canal Junction.
A little further on there is the the aqueduct across the Great Ouse River that ends up at the wash. In the past there were locks to bring the canal down to the river and back up in two different versions. In the end they decided to build the aqueduct in 1811 to save water and speed things up. It is not the highest or longest aqueduct but after painting it certainly looks smart. There is a horse/cattle tunnel underneath to access the river below.
The cast iron trough has no handrails on the off side as 'Holderness' crosses. The trough is on stone pillars.
A sculpture by Martin Heron that is called 'Looking Forward' I think. On it's arm is a scene of cyclist that apparently reference a velodrome that used to be in the area. there are other similar sculptures on other scenes by the same artist in the area.
A long mural near Wolverton that depicts scenes from the well known railway engine building yard. It seems that Royal Trains have regularly been built here. Those for Queen Victoria, Edward Vii and Queen Elizabeth in 1961. The latest was built in 1977.
We were soon in Giffard Park, Milton Keynes and this was our meeting place with our guests lift for home. I hope now he has gone he hasn't taken all the good weather with him. but it seems that it is going to continue for a while yet.
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