A short run......

.....to meet up.

Yesterday I left my mooring around 9:30 and headed for the service point just before bridge 114 to empty the cassette and top up the water tank, I had already disposed of the household waste on foot as the bins were nearer my mooring, being separate from the actual service point.

Bricklayers watched with indifference while I did my chores

A fairly quick stop as the water tank was already fairly full before I set off again.

A long line of permit holder long term moorings to pass meant slow progress, the gap in the picture with the visible white bollards is the two hour shop stop outside Tesco.

At the end of the permit holders mooring is Wyvern Shipping’s site, chock a block with boats being prepared for the forthcoming season.

Not the place to meet a wide beam and luckily it was all clear.

Leighton lock (27) was next, 6’8” deep and a kindly old fella opened the gate for me as I approached.

It took a bit of effort on his part and I did actually tie up to assist him but he managed to shift it just as I reached him!

It was then just a steady cruise passing The Globe Inn pub, which like so many this time of year had room for plenty of boats, it’s a different story mid summer, this was where I took delivery of my new fridge previously.

A very pleasant little run, if a bit chilly, not another boat moving anywhere to be seen.

I was soon rounding a bend to spot N.b. Lizzie Jane and a convenient gap on the 2 day moorings between her and a wide beam, so I tucked myself in there. This time of year the mooring rules are relaxed and moorings all become 14 day unless specifically signed to say they are not i.e 2 Days All Year Round.

Lizzie Jane behind me

Totals : 4 miles : 1 Lock

After a chat and a coffee with Karl aboard Quinquireme we decided that we would stay put until Friday and later in the afternoon we took ourselves off to the Three Locks pub, just ahead, for a drink and a bite to eat while we caught up and pondered the state of everything for a few hours J

Today I busied myself with a few little chores and then relaxed the afternoon away while Karl made use of his bus pass with a trip back to Leighton Buzzard.