Fallen tree squashes plans

Oh no! Our plan to head up to, er, the head of navigation has been thwarted. There's a submerged fallen tree blocking the river between here (Great Barford) and Bedford. We understand that EA will attempt to remove it "early next week". We'll stay here for a couple of days and see what happens.

Back to today's journey. After watering up we set off under St Neots Bridge … and came to the A428 bridge. This is another road we frequently travel; we have once - and only once - spotted a boat from the road.

A while later we passed under the A1: the northbound carriageway uses this fine bridge.

The inscription reads "J Savage Architect. 1820. Johnson & Son Builders."

Then came this converted lifeboat Fort Victoria.

Just below Roxton Lock the now unnavigable River Ivel Navigation joins the Great Ouse. The Ivel Navigation started from Shefford and ran through Biggleswade and Sandy on its way to the Great Ouse.

Ally and Josiah joined us for lunch at Great Barford; we then went back to their house for the afternoon. I mowed the lawn, assembled a settee and assisted with repairing a vacuum cleaner. Jan cooked tea. We both enjoyed entertaining Josiah.