Tuesday 9th June 2009

It rained again last night and was still a bit dull in the morning. We knew we only had one lock and a very short distance to go until we moored for Tesco. We arrived at 1100hrs and then had two hours of indulgence, stocking up on food and generally browsing at the shops.

We didn't get time to have a good look at Leighton Buzzard, so another place on the list for our return journey. The weather was looking a bit overcast and we wanted to tackle some of the locks ahead before it rained.

We were really lucky that at the first lock we met with another narrowboat who wanted to share the next 9 locks. Tom and I took it in turns to do the locks and I managed to get a good walk in between some of them. We were passing through the Valley of the Ouzel with beautiful views of the hills. Most of the locks were really pretty and well maintained with the obligatory picture postcard cottage. Our last lock of the day was followed by a working swing bridge which Linda, the lady from the other boat, and I happily swung across - it was a bit like being on a roundabout in a children's playground. We were all exhausted, it started to drizzle and we found our mooring for the night at Pitstone.