Great Linford

We wern't the first off the mark this morning.  A boat woke me coming by at about 5 am.   When we were ready to go at about 7:15 we were surprised to see how many boats had in fact left.  Two boats of stag party returning their boats to the Gayton Marina base were among them.   As we were preparing the top lock the lockie came by, went to his shed, got his windlass and put on his life jacket and set off down the flight.  We picked up another boat, ERIN, in the long pound and found that the lock-keeper was setting locks for us all the way down.  A lone boat was in the bottom lock coming up and we were out by 9:00am.  ERIN crew stopped there for breakfast.  We stopped for water and rubbish disposal then on again for Cosgrove.  Boy!  Does this lock need a bit of grease!  The squealing  noises made when winding the paddles was ear wrenching.  I hate to see mechanical things like this neglected.  Perhaps an oilcan should be part of the ship's inventory.  At Wolverton, where the metal steps lead up to the main road, there is a huge development of residential accommodation going on.   The remains of the railway carriage works where my grandfather used to work are also being demolished.   More flats I suppose.   Anyway, we stopped there for shopping at the nearby TESCO.  Finally we found a mooring in Great Linford at the North East corner of Milton Keynes near the Giffard Park Pub.   A sunny day, but cool nevertheless.  Showers promised.