On our way to Cassiobury Park in our own boat

It's been a long time coming, but, thanks to Ally and Ben graciously letting us have a week or so on Jubilee, we can go to a festival in our own boat*.

After working on the Birmingham house we got to Milton Keynes yesterday at 8pm, and went for a carvery at the Peartree Bridge Inn at the marina. This morning Ally and Ben left for work at 8am, and we finished loading our things from the car and prepared the boat for take-off departure. We got under way shortly before 11, and turned right out of the marina to head towards Watford. That's Watford, Herts, not the other one.

For some reason I find that this section of the Grand Union always takes longer than I calculate it should. Has Nicholson's missed out some mile markers? But CanalPlan also underestimates the time, even with my default setting of 2.5mph speed.

We stopped at Linslade for Tesco and Aldi, and tied up at 7pm between Grove and Slapton where we had a towpath barbecue in the slightly cooler conditions.

It has been rather hot today (but I wouldn't want it any other way) - superb!

We intend to make an early start tomorrow to try to get some miles done before the real heat of the day sets in. I'll let you know how we get on. (And I might even put some photos in tomorrow's post).

*Ally and Ben are staying with friends