Day 13 of the #GrandWalkOut started on the Grand Union Canal at Bridge 47. The weather was getting warmer, which means the tow path is dry but hotter walking is harder walking in my experience. Thankfully the signpost at Gayton Junction puts Brentford only 77 miles away.
It was 2 miles to Blisworth Tunnel, which is longer than yesterday’s Braunston Tunnel, but the path is much better sign posted.
It was another 2 miles to the south portal of the tunnel.
There’s a blacksmith working a forge there. I’m not sure who was hotter.
But it’s a good reminder that many industries grew up around the canals. The village of Stoke Beurene was cut in half by the canal, but also became an important hub on the canal, especially before the tunnel opened as boats had to unload to do the trek overground for several years whilst it was completed.
It’s now home to an interesting museum of the waterways. I was amused to discover that a particular type of boat used on the Aire and Calder was called a pudding boat: Yorkshire of course.
I drove onto Wolverton to meet Bob at bridge 71. It was an opportunity to do the washing at Bubbles the laundrette where the staff have the equivalent hot job: the place was very warm today.
From my remembered bible: it seems like they were touched by tongues of fire.
As the evening sun goes down, God grant a quiet night.
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.
Janet Lees, Wolverton, 06.05.2022.