Catch up.

By the time we had eaten last night it was dark so I didn't get to check out the heating system so whilst I was waiting for the kettle to boil I lifted the deck boards of the engine hole and cracked open the calorifier cupboard and investigated further.  I checked to see if the skin tank had an air lock and, yes, there was a bit of air trapped. Then with the radiator cap of I loosed all the hose leading to the calorifier and gave them a lift up and down to see if I could dislodge any air that may be in there. I then cleared the alarm from the panel on the Hurricane and cracked it up again. Lo and behold no alarms! Despite this we have sped along today to try and catch up with our programme of getting to Rugby for Friday and still with the option of diverting to Calcutt if required. The test for the Hurricane heater will be in the morning when it is staring from cold. Fingers crossed.

The other reason that we were speeding onwards was to catch up with Marilyn and David on 'Waka Huia'. We have made a rendezvous of the foot of Braunston Locks so the game was afoot. We passed Les and Jaq on 'Valerie' just round the corner from our overnight mooring without knowing they were there. We knew they weren't early rises and there was no sign of life when we passed so we didn't bang on their roof or anything.

We made good time through Milton Keynes despite the numerous moored boats that caused a slow down. I am still amazed on how green Milton Keynes is and how much open space has been incorporated into the place. Having passed through on the canal it seem to have an unjust bad press.

We were soon passing the long mural on the wall of the LNWR works that relates the engine works with events of the past and is well done. I wonder how often they need to repaint it. It may become a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. It is pleasing to see that despite it being alongside a footpath it hasn't been defaced.

Just round the corner is another sculpture by Martin Heron. This one is made of steel and the body is on railway lines with the outstretched arm holding a Bloomer Engine that was manufactured here in the 19th Century. On the other side of the cut is the modern equivalent in stainless steel with the arm holding cyclists and joggers. Time marched on.

We were soon on the Ouse Aqueduct. When we came this way before I was below taking photos of the boat going over. Whilst not up to Llangollen standards it is still quite impressive.

The view to the south crossing the Great Ouse Aqueduct.

We were soon at the third lock of the day, the 3'4" of Cosgrove Lock. It is a lovely setting especially on a lovely autumn day and over the wall of the lock was a nice surprise. 

This scene had me thinking of the Bethlehem Christmas Story for some reason!

The country side was quintessentially English as we closed up to Stoke Bruerne with hamlets on hill and sheep in the pastures with signs of ancient field system still in evidence. On one side was a sharp needle like steeple and on the other a squat stone tower.

Far views.

We managed to get to the foot of Stoke locks just after 1600 to find Waka Huia patiently waiting for us. They let us fill with water as there was somebody descending the locks and then we were off. Marilyn favoured the double breasted approach so we lined up and went for it. I must say they but for me keeping her in line we could have gone anywhere. (Very tongue in check and expecting a slap tomorrow). It all worked well and we seemed to speed up the locks.

Helen and David checking out what is up ahead.

Marilyn and Tony jockeying for position.

We decided to moor up in the long pound between locks five and six and were soon opening the first bottle on 'Waka Huia'. We had nibbles and then a lovely meal. Chat went this way and that and we decided that we are now talking like we are oldies! It wasn't like that in our day! So we moved on to higher plane altogether, but can't really remember what it was. I'm sure somebody will remind me in the morning.