GUC : Wolverton to Stoke Bruerne

First canal walk of 2016 and we enter a tricky section where there are few public transport links at either end.

This walk starts at Wolverton which is easily reached by train from Milton Keynes (or from Euston). The tricky part is timing the end to match the only 2 late afternoon trains which would get me to either Milton Keynes or Northampton. Had to ensure I was at the bus stop by 5:00 pm – as it turns out, I was lucky!

The start of the walk in Wolverton

The start of the walk in Wolverton

The path meanders to the west of Wolverton

The path meanders to the west of Wolverton

Oh Oh! Footpath closed. Let's see how bad it is...

Oh Oh! Footpath closed. Let’s see how bad it is…

Yup - closed for quite a way - better find a diversion

Yup – closed for quite a way – better find a diversion

At the end of the diversion looking back

At the end of the diversion looking back

Back to the normal path

Back to the normal path

Looking down from the iron duct aqueduct

Looking down from the iron duct aqueduct

Boat crossing the iron duct aqueduct

Boat crossing the iron duct aqueduct

Cosgrove canal festival in full swing

Cosgrove canal festival in full swing

New houses in traditional stone at Cosgrove

New houses in traditional stone at Cosgrove

Solomon's bridge, just after Cosgrove - the sandstone facing seems to be wearing away in places

Solomon’s bridge, just after Cosgrove – the sandstone facing seems to be wearing away in places

Close view of Solomon's bridge

Close view of Solomon’s bridge

Heron studying the water for fish

Heron studying the water for fish

Looking back at mixed skies

Looking back at mixed skies

Approaching bridge 64 - note the path end its left side run and crosses the bridge but appears on the side before the bridge, then goes under the bridge

Approaching bridge 64 – note the path end its left side run and crosses the bridge but appears on the side before the bridge, then goes under the bridge

Looking ahead from bridge 64 towards Thrupp Wharf

Looking ahead from bridge 64 towards Thrupp Wharf

Bridge 63 near Isworth Farm

Bridge 63 near Isworth Farm

Rope wear marks

Rope wear marks

Bridge 62

Bridge 62

Bridge 60 and the approach to Yardley wharf

Bridge 60 and the approach to Yardley wharf

Going quackers in Yardley Gobion on the approach to the marina

Going quackers in Yardley Gobion on the approach to the marina

Bridge 59, north of Yardley Gobion

Bridge 59, north of Yardley Gobion

Bridge 58 north of Yardley Gobion

Bridge 58 north of Yardley Gobion

Approaching a weir

Approaching a weir

Bridge 57 near Grafton Regis

Bridge 57 near Grafton Regis

The canal curves ahead towards bridge 56, beside Bozenham Mill lane

The canal curves ahead towards bridge 56, beside Bozenham Mill lane

Bridge 56 near Bozenham

Bridge 56 near Bozenham

Looking back on top of another weir

Looking back on top of another weir

Pumping water from the River Tove into the Canal

Pumping water from the River Tove into the Canal

Approaching the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight of locks

Approaching the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight of locks

Mooring up as the lock is cycled

Mooring up as the lock is cycled

Top gates closed, bottoms open, boat entering the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight

Top gates closed, bottoms open, boat entering the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight

Mid way up the flight at Stoke Bruerne

Mid way up the flight at Stoke Bruerne

The penultimate lock rising up the Stoke Bruerne flight

The penultimate lock rising up the Stoke Bruerne flight

Approaching the Navigation pub. Note the wider canal and the double bridge but only one lock (RHS)

Approaching the Navigation pub. Note the wider canal and the double bridge but only one lock (RHS)

Double bridge at Stoke Bruerne - note the different constructions

Double bridge at Stoke Bruerne – note the different constructions

Canal museum, Stoke Bruerne

Canal museum, Stoke Bruerne

Top lock and canalside museum at Stoke Bruerne

Top lock and canalside museum at Stoke Bruerne

Lots of boats on the canal north of Stoke Bruerne

Lots of boats on the canal north of Stoke Bruerne

Heading north from Stoke Bruerne towards the tunnel

Heading north from Stoke Bruerne towards the tunnel

End of this walk for now - the southern entry to Blisworth Tunnel

End of this walk for now – the southern entry to Blisworth Tunnel

 

 

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