Wednesday 5 December 2012

A good day

yesterday.

After my WaterWorks class, MWNN drove us to Leighton Buzzard via the scenic route (Dunstable).


We walked along the Grand Union Canal towpath until we reached the first lock. There we heard the unmistakeable sound of a lock gate being opened by the bows of a narrowboat. There was the coal, diesel, and gas working boat inching its way through a single gate. On the back was a 'boat dog' keeping guard while the Master tied up, closed the gate, and began filling the lock chamber via the front gate's paddles.

Lock almost full


It made us a little nostalgic for the English Waterways, even though there are few working boats any more. There are no fuel barges on French canals.

We walked back into town, parked the car and had tea and a very fine (if somewhat overly sweet) Victoria Sponge cake at The Green House. We shopped in the market for veggies and eggs and MWNN found a rather splendid Colston Bassett Blue Stilton on the cheese stall.