Logged on (the propeller).

It was difficult to switch the shore power off and get ready to leave the marina after five days, but we did it just after 1000. We headed down to the end of the Arm, partly to say we had done it and partly to call at Tescos for a big shop. We were just behind a Wyvern hire boat that were also going to the end.

We will mainly be eating coconut and lime cake with our tea today.

Getting ready to swing for the entrance to the marina on our way out.

They were just erecting a hi jib crane at the latest building site at the basin, This will join the Travelodge hotel, Waitrose shop and an educational building at the end where the Canal Society used to be.

 Putting a high crane together for the new site at the basin. Why does it make me think of Meccano? In the background is the County Council Tower. It took three years to build and £956,000 and was completed in 1996. It is unofficially called 'Fred's Folley' after the architect Fredrick Pooley. It is said to be Brutalism and was supposed to herald a new modern era for Aylesbury

The visitor pontoons at the basin showing the hotel, supermarket and the Waterside theatre.

Once we had turned we stopped for water as did the hire boat. We weren't too long and we moved out after them, up one lock and stopped at the Tesco moorings, as did the hire boat.

Sun on the side of the boat through a willow tree whilst taking water.

We had a good shop and managed to save money too. We were off before the hire boat as they were stopping for lunch. We were umming and ahing about whether to do the same but went for it. Big mistake. As we approached the next lock the engine stopped dead. We drifted into the lock and I checked the weed hatch to see what had occurred. All looked clear, but on closer inspection there was a large log stuck on one of the blades. It took me about 15 minutes to clear it but the blade was bent. We had the same last year too. We carried on and the vibration isn't too bad but it will need sorting at some stage so we will look around for a quick dry out and blade straighten. 

We had a nice run up after that and found some blackberries, damsons and hazelnuts as we moved through the locks. We decided to stop at Wilstone with eight locks left on the arm tomorrow. I had a look to see if I could straighten it a little but nothing doing. We will have to go tom Plan B.