It was cloudy, chilly, and a bit blustery when we set off this morning, a little after 8.30. At the locks, the bottom lock was empty, and there was a lock keeper about who said he’d set the next one for us.
It turned out there were four volunteer lockies on duty — it’s the first week of their new season — so we had every lock ready and waiting for us. One of them asked how long we were out for, and I said possibly the rest of our lives — which he seemed to like the sound of!
There was only one boat moored in the long pound, and a swan there started to take off, then thought better of it and splashed down again.
CRT made another attempt to stop the penultimate lock leaking so much, but it seems it hasn’t really worked. There’s now a sign on the top lock to warn people that there might not be much water below it.
We moored up above the top lock and went to see in Kathryn was in. She was, so we all went to the cafe for tea and coffee, and most importantly a chat. By now the sun had come out. Then we headed through the tunnel, which we had to ourselves. I always like the bridges in Blisworth — Candle Bridge, then the rail bridge with the blue iron framework.
At Gayton Junction we thought we’d stop for water and get some washing going. There was a chap already on the water point, so we waited over the other side and it wasn’t long before he was done and we could move over. We weren’t there long either, and the wind helped us get back on the move. We have moored just before Heyford Fields Marina, as Dave will be replacing our Eberspacher tomorrow. It’s been playing up for years, and has had various parts replaced with reconditioned ones. Now it’s too far gone, so a new one has been ordered.
10 miles, 7 locks. (13 miles, 7 locks)
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