Spring Cruise: Day 1

Today started off quite excitingly, as I went to collect my new car.  It was ordered seven months ago, so it’s been quite a wait.  Then we packed our stuff into it, and headed off on its maiden journey up to the marina.  It seemed like quite a slow trip with several minor hold ups, and we also called in to Tesco in Buckingham to get a Click and Collect order.  Once at the marina we unloaded the car and prepared to set off .

We pulled out of the marina at 2.15; the plod along to Stoke Bruerne Locks took the usual hour and a half, and the locks also took the usual hour and a half.  The first few were full, then we met a boat coming down — newly bought from Gayton, and heading to London.

We’ve seen relatively few boats, and there’s plenty of space on all the moorings.  There were no boats moored below SB Locks, plenty of space in the long pound, and only a handful in the village.  There was loads of space at Blisworth, and at Gayton Junction.  We carried on to the piling beyond Nightingales Bridge, where we are on our own.  It was about 6.45 when we stopped, but it’s a lovely evening and ideal for boating.

10 miles, 7 locks.