Milton Keynes

First of all here is a better picture of the Swingbridge 

in place in the middle of Fenny Stratford lock, it does confuse some of the new hirers on holiday boats but it’s quite easy as access is from the lock side and once they are over the surprise of seeing it there they cope just fine.

I really entered Milton Keynes on Sunday as I came into Fenny Stratford but in my mind it began today as I set off at 9:30, a bit cloudy but it has been warm and dry all day, a good cruising day. The cruise was fairly short and lock free, (there are no locks between Fenny and Cosgrove about 11 miles) the run through to my anticipated mooring was not really what I expected, I thought it would be dull and boring with no locks and the scenery would be ‘Milton Keynes’ concrete and housing but it was surprisingly rural

 there are a lot of bridges because of all the main roads (20 bridges today) but not all are concrete monstrosity’s.

Bridge 82a marks the proposed position of a new link (broadbeam) to the Great Ouse

and is one of those monstrosity’s, whether the link will ever go ahead is unknown, the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust was formed to promote it 20 years ago.

It was busier today with canal traffic, now the warmer weather is here and the ‘holiday’ season has begun I expect it will continue to increase the ‘traffic’, a slight problem for a young girl steerer who met me as I was passing moored boats on either side, there was plenty of room but at the last moment she decided there wasn’t enough and tried to stop, running herself aground and swinging her stern out towards me, I squeezed slowly through the gap and missed her stern button with inches to spare as it continued towards me, she was very embarrassed but dad took control and they were able to reverse back and get underway again, no teenagers were harmed during the making of this incident, a little pride maybe.

I reached my intended goal on the 48 hour Campbell Park visitors moorings at 12:15 and was pleased to see space available, there is only room for 8 boats and at that time only 5 were there (it is now full)

Tonights Mooring

Total Today 4 miles : 0 Locks

Part Two:

Once I’d had a cup of tea and a bite to eat, I decided to have a look at Willen Park on the other side of the canal and leave Campbell Park for tomorrow.

I was impressed, it is lovely and has all you would need for a great day out (or more), I took a very long circular walk of about 4 hours around the North and South Lakes, but it is huge, there is a Theme Park as well Gullivers Land for younger children (2-13) and judging by the screams I could hear they were loving it, so apart from the various food outlets it had water ski-ing, boat rides, bicycle hire, play areas, a bandstand, bird feeding areas, a maze and a labyrinth, a Pagoda, a Buddhist temple, artwork and I think I saw 3 pic ‘n’ mix wagons all doing a roaring trade!, plus acres of land to walk the dogs or just relax, there had been an event of some sort over the Bank Hoiday and they were clearing away huge tents and various filming equipment as well as a mobile production office, I bet it was heaving.

I’ll let the pictures show what I mean.

Bridge Across the canal to Willen Park

View of Gullivers Land

Souls In Love in memory of Debbie & Tony Sellers

This cedar tree was donated by Milton Keynes Borough Council and dedicated to 'One World 1992'

the plaque said "One World Make It Happen" it appears to have been chosen by local people to commemorate the lasting friendships even after death, each ribbon, balloon or bottle had a message of love to a friend or relative, one obviously written by a very young girl just said, 

"Gemma, when you were alive we were friends, I hope we still are."