A New Use for CD’s - 15th August

This morning I took Jimmy a walk around Tiddenfoot Waterside Park which is entered by crossing the new bridge 115c to the offside. This was once a busy quarry sending sand to building sites all over England. Work began in the 1920’s and ceased in the 1960’s when it was gradually reclaimed by the wildlife and is now a place for people and wildlife.

We set off and motored up to the water point just before bridge 114, conveniently on a bend and under a large weeping willow, but hey-ho that is narrowboating. The diesel boat and butty were moored just before the water point and a lovely sight did their stern cabins look.

Having filled the tanks we moved up to the 2 hour shopping mooring right outside a 24 hr. Tesco and Aldi store. It was great because we could take the trolley right up to the boat. You can just see our bow through the entrance.

With time to spare we went into Leighton Buzzard, an old market town. The old Fire Station is now a Pizza Express, and it has a Boots, Waitrose and many other high street shops.

Returning to the boat we passed this sculpture called “Fly Past”. Around the base is a granite ring which lists some of the 60 names and spellings of the town dating from 1086 to 1965. The discs surrounding the propeller have relief images relating to the town and its history including the Grand Junction Canal, Sand Quarry, The Vimy Bomber, and Trees and the river Ouzel. The flowers are on the bridge over the river which divides Leighton from Linslade.

As we left Leighton Buzzard we past the Wyvern Shipping Hire base and counted 19 boats moored up 4 a breast waiting for their new clients. We passed another 5 of their boats on route heading back to base so they must have at least 24 boats based here.

These two boats caught our eye today, the wide beam with a mass of flowers in the forepeak and on the roof.
The narrowboat has found a new use for CD’s. It covered in them which apparently keeps it very cool and made it look like it was covered in sequins

. These Cormorants decided to perch on a high dead tree and could be seen from a long way off.

We eventually reached the Soulbury Three Locks. These three locks have very short pounds between them and the last two look like a staircase lock from a distance.The Three Locks Pub stands next to the last lock and drinkers were sat outside when we arrived but soon disappeared inside when we had a short sharp shower lasting only a few minutes.

We moored up in a nice spot mid way between bridges 104 and 102. We were soon joined by a few more boats.