Phew! We're taking a break now after a successful assault on the Chilterns. Right now we're in Fenny Stratford. Perhaps your idea of an ideal city break isn't Milton Keynes, but for the canal traveller it's OK. No, really it is. Today we went to the MK Odeon for their Silver Screen showing of The Danish Girl. Three quid and free coffee and bikkies if you're over 60. There has to be some advantage in getting old.
We've mostly been lucky with the weather and it really feels like spring. So far on our trip we've seen a few kingfishers, an egret, terns diving for fish, umpteen herons (of course), quite a few tiny ducklings, a surprising number of goldfinches, and quite the best view of a red kite we have ever had, just feet above us.
The canal between Leighton Buzzard and Fenny is one of our favourite runs, so quiet and pretty. Even the Soulbury Three Locks were easy thanks to a couple of friendly volunteer lockies Dave and Colin who helped us through. Last night we decided to moor up in the sticks just after Stoke Hammond.
From Berko to Leighton Buzzard we had our old friends Phil and Janet with us. We like quizzes and enjoyed so many that we had to ring up Rick and ask him to send some more. The ones I set are generally musical and have highly intellectual and erudite questions such as "Which song mentions Kisses on the Bottom?"
Aah by the way, answers to my questions from my previous post are:
Simon & Garfunkel - Old Friends
Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet
Elbow - One Day Like This
Tom Paxton - The Last Thing On My Mind
Joni Mitchell - California
Nanci Griffith - From a Distance
Speaking of Berko, we spent an evening in the Rising Sun, better known locally as The Riser. Last time we went there we were disappointed both with the booze and the atmosphere, but I'm happy to report it now has it's mojo back and is far and away our recommended pub in that area. The staff were exceptionally pleasant, the clientele lively but well behaved and friendly, and the beer Tickety Boo.
As you will have gathered, we're having a pretty nice time.
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1 comment:
It sounds like a lovely trip, Neil, and let's face it, everywhere looks better from the canal doesn't it? Thanks for the answers to your musical quiz. The Elbow and Joni Mitchell ones are big favourites of ours too!
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