We heard last night that Gemma and Sam will be able to join us for the weekend. The nearest railhead to our route will be Tring, so we needed to be sure to reach the top of the Marsworth flight of locks. We were aware that Friday morning is a big turnround day at Wyvern Shipping in Leighton Buzzard and the boats were likely to be gathering below Leighton Lock for the final push this morning, so we left extra early at 6 am. Sure enough we were at the lock first, joined by the first of the hirers also anxious to beat the rush and get a better spot on the hire base moorings. So by 7:35 we were in TESCOs doing last minute shopping for our extra guests. Moving off we soon reached Grove Lock and were joined by "Lazy Days" who had been lying in wait a way back until a boat passed, because it "is much easier doing broad locks when can be shared". There are 17 locks to the top from Grove and a good working relationship soon developed with Pat ahead preparing the gates and the other boat's crew closing behind and walking on. So in spite of following another boat ahead we reached Tring bridge by 15:10. Our original intention had been to return to Bulbourne for the night to avail ourselves of the Junction Arms. However, first mate on Lazy Days suggested Cow Roast pub across the main road from the Cowroast lock. It is now run as a pub and restaurant serving the "best Tai food in the county". Indeed, it lived up to our expectations - another chance finding to put in the log book. This will definitely be on our list of mandatory stops in the future.
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