It seems to have been a busy year to date…..lots of domestic necessities, a few medical musts, my sisters wonderful wedding, not to mention the unexpected an undesirable destruction of the rear end of my car when some poor soul lost concentration and redesigned the car leading to the ongoing saga (literally 🤣) insurance companies and hire cars. ………. All of which has meant we haven’t been out and about as much…However our pending trip to SA is looming and I will post our pre trip planning documents shortly. In the meantime we have been alleviating our “At Home” status with some excellent day trips out and of course visiting some of our favourite restaurants…..I think I’ll have to add a “Recommended Restaurants” to our blog menu, because we are certainly adding to our long list of great eateries at all ends of the price spectrum.
Back to our trip out in Milton Keynes….I was looking for some light relief for both of us and my Dad. My surfing led me to a boat trip on the Grand Union Canal, starting from Milton Keynes. Yeah!!! That ticked a few boxes…easy to get too, not too far away, something that both my Dad and John enjoy…Further investigation led me to see it offered a wide menu of trips…afternoon tea, fish and chip suppers, family cruises, booze cruises and the one which tickled my fancy..morning coffee and cake. At £24 per person and a choice of coffee, carrot or lemon drizzle cake, coffee or tea…it was a definite “must do”.
The Electra Milton Keynes Community Boat website was very easy to navigate and I soon booked our 3 tickets. At the time of booking you also select your cake choice. The confirmation gives you full details of where to park and how to get there and what time you need to arrive. It also gives your electronic tickets which you can either download to your phone or print…I always screenshot these just incase my signal drops out just when you need it.
The boat leaves from Campbell Wharf, just outside the marina. There is literally no parking there, not even disabled, but you can drop off and go and park. With our back to the canal we turned right at the roundabout and in no time at all there are car parks to the right facing the moored house/ longboats and the canal. If you walk back to the wharf through Campbells park, there is a very good path. You cross over the canal twice but it is all easy ramps, no steps. You could I suppose walk back along the grass verge of the road, it might be a tad shorter but nowhere near as picturesque.
Unfortunately it was raining, but our high spirits were not to be dampened and the three of us raised the brollies and stepped out along the footpath. It took us no more than 10 minutes and we certainly weren’t racing. On arriving the volunteer boat driver/ pilot – Tim- assisted us on and introduced us to David the inside host.
The Electra had two seater tables down each side and a maximum seating capacity of 12. It was comfortable and not squashed. There were only 8 of us and as we had all boarded well before 10.30am we set off early. Our particular trip took us from Campbell Park Wharf to Great Linford Manor and back again. Depending upon the amount of traffic on the water depends on the length of the trip. It could take up to 2.5 hours.
The Electra is as its name suggests an electric boat so totally silent. It has thrusters at the front for when it needs to turn and this is the only notice you occasionally hear. Consequently you see quite a lot of canal side water fowl and bird life.
Our outward journey didn’t give us many photographic opportunities as the rain was quite heavy.
The weather slowly began to clear. John was quickly on his feet and standing in the more open bow with his camera at the ready…….whats new!!!!!!!
We passed under some bridges with some excellent art in the form of mosaics, paintings and some carvings.
Just before Great Linford Manor our coffee and cake was served to us….yummy..
Our return trip allowed for a greater amount of wildlife viewing…..
A big shout out to The Electra Community Boat Milton Keynes and its volunteer crew.
We had a wonderful morning “Messing about on the River”…well! Actually not the river..The Grand Union Canal. …it was a very good price for coffee and cake and the adventure. As you depart the boat there is a collection box, not a tips box, and the money is used to help those less able to enjoy this wonderful experience. Thank you very much.
2 J's World of Adventure 