We set off at 8.15, and one of the Canal Boat Club boats moored behind off was doing the same. I wondered whether they might be turning at the junction for Market Harborough, but in fact they followed us round the corner on their way back to Gayton. When we got to the top lock a boat was coming up, then our two boats went down. Our companions turned out to be excellent locking partners, having had the timeshare membership for many years. By the second lock, it turned out we were following another boat down, who must have been moored in the long pound. Between us, we had enough crew that someone could always go down to the next lock to prepare it.
As we arrived at the second lock, the Anchor Cottage shop was just opening. They were in the process of putting all the outside display items on the racks when I popped in to see if they had a Stratford Canal bridge plaque. I’m not sure why we haven’t already got one as we’ve done the whole canal before; I tried in Braunston yesterday, as the bottom lock shop usually stocks the whole range, but the chap said the manufacturers had managed to lose the moulds and he hadn’t been able to get any for nine months. Apparently they have been found, and production has restarted. Anyway, Anchor Cottage had one, and it’s rather nice with one of the barrel-roofed cottages on it. They are also slightly cheaper here than in Braunston!
At the bottom lock I popped into the chandlery to get some bread and cheese, as we’d realised we didn’t have much in for lunch. In spite of following a boat down, we’d done the seven locks in two hours. Our companions moored up for breakfast at the marina cafe, while we carried on. A boat heading for the locks said there was nothing on the move, and they’d have to go up alone. They could hardly have been more wrong: we seem to have seen more moving boats today than any other day of the trip. The stream of boats going the other way has been constant, with one or two met at awkward bridge holes.
We stopped at Rugby Boats for diesel. With the service wharf occupied by someone loading stuff from a car, we tied up outside two brokerage boats, and the diesel hose was brought across them. That’s the second time this trip we’ve taken on diesel while moored outside other boats.
We plodded along these very familiar waters, went through the tunnel, and were surprised by how much space was available in Stoke Bruerne. However, we decided to go down the top two locks into the long pound where it’s a bit more open. There appeared to be a boat in the top lock, and they opened a gate for us to join them. They said it appeared they were doing us a good turn, but in fact we’re just pausing for tea and a sandwich! As Kathryn came out to say hello, and Mike from the trip boat wandered down for a chat, we all just paused in the lock for a few minutes.
There was loads of space in the long pound, so both boats moored up. I’ve added the plaque to the collection in the engine room.
16 miles, 9 locks. (278 miles, 296 locks)
No comments:
Post a Comment