A Grand (Union Canal) Day Out

Having tidied up the garden with the new strimmer on Saturday and trimmed the roses and installed the new sun shade on Sunday, we felt that a run out in the Scenic was due, partly to test whether or not the scooter would fit into the back of the car without too much trouble. I dug out a canvas racheted lorry strap out of my car and we lashed the buggy down securely using the cargo mountings fitted to the car.












Dad had a map showing items of interest to do with the network of waterways round about, so after strapping in 'Henry MkII', we headed off for the The Canal Museum and The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne.













I sat in the back next to 'Henry MkII', to observe any shifting around and Dad drove with Mum in the front, and the journey went well, without incident.
Stoke Bruerne is a tiny village with a very large waterway facility and clearly attracts a lot of visitors so that parking tends towards busy!
We found a temporary car park opened up in a ridge and furrow field for £2, and Dad decided to forgo the buggy and manage with his stick so, as it was gone midday we were thinking about lunch arrangements.
"2 courses for £10" was written up on a sandwich board, so we took the last table for lunch.
Mother had a full meal of Mediterranean Soup and Trout with Almonds and coffee with petit fours and finished the lot.









As it would happen, I was out with my mates Kevin and Gary yesterday looking at ride-on mowers for their new spread in Cornwall, and spotted a pair of ramps for £50 in a box, which I bought for use in getting 'Henry MkII' in and out of the Scenic without having to remove the batteries. Which means that 'Henry MkII' (or Thunderbird 1) could travel down to LLandewi Breffi, or Princes Risborough in the Renault (Thunderbird 2) for taking on walks up the Hills or down the Valleys.
Mother doesn't seem to feel the need at the moment but the thinking is that for Dad, an assisted ramble is now on the cards.
'Thunderbird 1' has a range of 28 miles ( 14 there and 14 back) and a top speed of 8mph on the road, although should be used at it's restricted setting of 4 mph for use on pavements.
To be fully set up, what needs to happen is for 'Thunderbird 1' to get a no-fee tax disc, and for 'Thunderbird 2' to get a BlueBadge for preferred parking.