Cosgrove

Yesterday we departed Stoke Bruerne having enjoyed its hospitality for the past few days. This culminated on Sunday with a three course roast dinner in the Woodwards restaurant above the Boat Inn. Although the weather was dry there was a cold wind blowing, but even so, as we descended the remaining five locks of the Stoke Bruerne flight, the crew removed their jacket with all the hard work needed. We met a few boats coming up, one being nb Ferndale, who informed us they read our ramblings. Once at the foot of the flight we pulled onto the service point for water. We had a bit of time to wait, so I cleared the roof of all its items and gave it its first ever wash, the roof that is. At the conclusion of our chores we set off again aiming for the village of Cosgrove. On route, we noted a number of good rural moorings in the vicinity of several villages, namely Grafton Regis and Yardley Gobion. Approaching Cosgrove we passed by the Navigation Inn at Thrupp Wharf, one for the future, then beneath a splendid Gothic style stone bridge. We continued and descended the single lock, then took up a mooring on a long straight section of the canal prior to the Great Ouse Aquaduct. Cosgrove must be a popular spot as it seems we are time limited here to a maximum 14 days in any year.

       

Today the weather was totally different, blue skies and warm sunshine. It appears as if the weather is forecast to remain fine for the next few days. This is good news as our solar panel is now providing upwards of 100 amp hrs per day, which equates to about two thirds of our daily electrical usage. After the winter months it's nice to have a spring clean, so this morning following breakfast, it was the turn of the well deck to be emptied of kit and washed.

Soon it was lunchtime and we set off in search of the Barley Mow P.H. The pub is dog friendly so Oscar came too. The route was well signposted including directions through the ' horse tunnel ' beneath the canal.

       

       

They must have used short horses in the day, as I nearly bumped my head in the centre as we walked through. After lunch we walked back to the boat via the very large Cosgrove holiday park. There is a handy grocery shop here that the crew informed me was well stocked. I had to wait outside for my ice cream, as the four legged member was not welcome inside. Then it was back to the boat. I had not taken a picture of our mooring so out came the camera, only to be photo bombed by a duck.

       

Needing to stretch our legs a bit more we carried on walking in the direction of Wolverton. This took us over the oldest wide beam iron Aquaduct, which crosses the river Great Ouse. Prior to its building a series of locks down, and then back up the other side was the method of crossing the river.

       

       

On our way back, viewing through the trees we could see the expanse of the holiday park surrounded by a number of large lakes.

       

We will probably stay put another day before moving on, we don't want to use up our entire year worth of allowed time in one visit in case we want, or need to stop on the way back.

Totals 6 Miles 6 Locks

Running total 47 Miles 40 Locks 3 Tunnels ( not including the twice through the horse tunnel ).