The last time we did this flight we had friends with us, and did the first 12 locks in 55 minutes; this time took around double that. One problem is that I wasn’t confident stepping across when one of the bottom gates was open, as there are no foot boards and the rail gets in the way. Lock 12 is immediately before the M1 bridge.
I had an interesting chat with a local dog walker, who walks the flight most days. The arm has a reputation for some of the pounds draining overnight, and everyone has blamed leaks in the canal bed. However, he says that since the flight has been locked overnight, it hasn’t been happening. Certainly there was plenty of water today. After the first 13 locks, the remaining ones are more spread out. The canal is shallow and a bit weedy. Eventually the Northampton Lift Tower dominates the skyline.
At the last lock a boat was just coming out and another was waiting below. Half the lock landing was taken up with a broken down boat which the other boats had helped. It had been bought on the river and was on its way to London as a live aboard — and the reason it broke down was that there was no oil in the engine. One of the boaters had put some in and got it going again.
Once on the river, we went into Northampton Marina, as we needed to get a licence and an Abloy key for the locks. We also paid to stay the night, and were given a berth to move into. The marina was having an open day, and Becket’s Park had a range and stalls and activities at the start of the Nene Valley Festival. After lunch we walked into town, picking up a festival brochure on the way. We went to 78 Derngate, the only interior in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There were even discount vouchers in the festival leaflet! It’s a great little place with some really striking designs.
We had a look round town, did some shopping, and then Catherine, Nigel, and the kids came to see us, bringing freshly made biscuits with them.
5 miles, 17 locks. (14 miles, 24 locks)
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