Another day where the actual weather was better than the forecast, although it was a bit overcast when we set off a bit after 8. I walked round the junction to the top lock while Adrian brought the boat.
A Weedon hire boat was coming up, so the lock was set for us.
The second lock was full and we met a couple of other boats on their way up, so we didn’t actually have to turn any locks.
We got to the bottom about 9.45, and began the five hour journey along the Stowe Hill pound. It turned out to have its moments. In the quarter of a mile between High House Bridge and the narrows, we passed six boats going the other way — it it would have been seven had they managed to get through the narrow bit. Near Heyford Fields, a day boat from Gayton waited for us to come through the bridge, then got it all wrong and shot across the canal before heading straight for us. Then in the narrow section before Bugbrooke, an enormous widebeam came through. We pulled over to let it pass.
It took three people to steer it: one at the bow with a walking talkie, one at the stern with a walkie talkie who also dives back and forth looking down each side, and one actually on the tiller. None appeared to be enjoying themselves much. We carried on, and eventually went past Gayton Junction.
As we passed through Blisworth there was thunder rumbling around; thundery showers had been in the forecast, but originally for much earlier. The rain came between the Mill and the tunnel. We passed two boats in the tunnel and Mike’s trip boat, Charlie, came in and backed out again at the far end. Much to our surprise it was sunny in Stoke Bruerne, and we shared the top two locks with the hire boat Sally. The were lots of people about.
We moored in the long pound, just as there were more rumbles of thunder and some showers.
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