Autumn Cruise: Day 2

We had an understanding with a boat that came and moored behind us last night, that we’d go up the locks together this morning.  So seconds after I’d opened the back doors, our neighbours appeared, and by 8.15 we were setting off.  There was a delay of a couple of minutes while a CRT man ran some water off the pound above the bottom lock, and then we were off.  All the locks needed turning, but we made good progress.  Our companions stopped in the long pound as they wanted to visit the museum, but we carried on — meeting some volunteer lock keepers at the top two locks.  We then moored in the village, as Adrian had a call to do at 10am.  We slotted into a nice space, and within a few minutes, all the boats around us had left!  While Adrian was on his call, I had a walk around and bumped into Kathryn, who came along for a chat.  Before long we were setting off again, through the tunnel and into Blisworth.

We made good progress along the Stowe Hill Pound, with the sun coming out at times.

We made a brief stop at Rugby Boats for a top up of diesel.  We took on 50 litres, but the price is still £1.50 a litre.  The new houses on the far side of Weedon have come on a lot — at least, some of them have because they’ve already got people living in them.  Some of the others are still only shells.  The residents of the house closest to the canal waved enthusiastically.

We passed lots of boats going the other way.  I got the impression that one man has just picked up his boat from Whilton, because he asked me if he’d passed on the right side!  We got to the bottom of Buckby Locks just after 3.30.  This was our target for the night, but as it was relatively early and the weather was nice, we decided to go up the first six, especially as two boats were coming down the bottom lock.  We had to turn some of the locks, but we also met a couple of boats coming down.

We moored up in the long pound, where it’s much quieter than down the bottom, and we have a nice outlook onto a field of sheep.

16 miles, 13 locks.  (33 miles, 15 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 22

Some days everything seems to take a long time, and some days things seem to happen quicker than usual.  Today was one of the latter sort.  We started with a plan, having heard how busy Hillmorton Locks can be, especially since the hours were limited: they open at 8, so we’d aim to be there about then.  So we set off at 7.45, and arrived at the bottom of the locks at about the same time.  One boat we passed was just about to set off, and another was already going into one of the bottom pair of locks.  The other was empty and we could go straight in.

As we rose in the middle locks, boats were coming down, so the top locks were also ready — by when a volunteer lock keeper had arrived.

The other boat, an ex-Viking Afloat, stopped at the top for breakfast while we carried on towards Braunston.  It had been quite chilly, but the sun came out and the temperature went up, and before long the spire of Braunston church came into view.

We made two brief stops in Braunston, the first at Midland Chandlers for boat was and polish.  We stopped on their mooring right opposite the junction.

Then we pulled in outside the marina for a quick trip into the village.  We had an early lunch before setting off again.  A boat expecting visitors had tucked in behind us, right by the marina entrance, but was quite a long way out from the edge, so we’re pleased that they could move forward into our space.  Earlier on, I’d sent a message to Mark from the hotel boat, Ellis, as we’d noticed he was in Braunston Marina with alternator problems.  As I walked up to the lock he replied, so came along to say hello.

We were joined up the locks by a nice couple on a boat which they moor at Norton Junction, and who have been boating since the 1980s.  We met no-one coming through Braunston Tunnel, and when we got to the junction there were no boat movements either.  A boat had just gone down the lock but the volunteer lock keepers helped set it for us.  This evening, we are going to the New Inn with Peter and Stu from Provincetown, and I was surprised to find Stu already having a pint outside the pub, many hours too early!  We moored immediately below the lock, and washed and polished the towpath side of the boat, something we have neglected to do the whole trip.  I even polished the tiller arm and pin.

13 miles, 10 locks.  (262 miles, 257 locks)

Crick Show: Monday

This morning at about 9 we set off to turn around.  As we needed to pass the water point we stopped the fill up, having to wait a few minutes for another boat to finish.  While we were there we put the washing machine on.  Before long, another boat came along and waited outside us.  As we filled up, Lesley and Joe came past on the newly acquired boat, Steadfast.

We went up to the winding hole, turned around, and retraced our steps.  The boat we’d had to wait for first thing had come from a space right opposite the water point, so as it was a bit nearer the show we pulled in there.  We walked up to the village, then had lunch on board, before going over to the show site.  In the CRT tent, one of their brickies had made a CRT logo in brick and stone.

I stayed over at the show to see the announcement of the winners.  Finesse won the widebeam class, with their Brigantine.  Boating Leisure Services won the Favourite Narrowboat with Two Hoots.

Braidbar were second (again) and Ortomarine third.  I then hotfooted it back to the boat and we set off.  By the time we got to Watford Locks, we were number ten in the group to go down, so we had over an hour to wait.  I managed to get three blogs done for the past three days, when we’ve been in Crick’s communications black hole.  The top and bottom locks have big water saving signs on the balance beams.

Once we were on our way down, the locks took no time at all, and we continued to Norton Junction.  We went down the top lock and were joined by a Wyvern hire boat.  The next lock is locked for water saving, so as we’re moored quite close we hope to be first down in the morning when it’s opened again.

5 miles, 8 locks.  (18 miles, 22 locks)

Spring Cruise: Day 11 (Day 3 of the Crick Show)

A murky start to the day but the sun came out late.  We had another walk round the show in the morning, went to look at a brand new Braidbar which was moored a few behind us on the towpath, and walked to the Co-op for some top up supplies.  After lunch on board we turned the boat around in the marina entrance, ready for the off.  At 3pm the winner of the Favourite Boat vote was announced. Boating Leisure Services were third, Smithwood were second, and Braidbar came top.

In the widebeam category, Burscough Boats were the winners, with Aqualine second and Elton Moss third.  We set off at 3.15 accompanies by Catherine, Nigel, Grace and Matthew, and reached the top of Watford Locks at just after 4.  We’d passed several boats going the other way, which suggested there had recently been an uphill convoy; we were sixth in the queue to go down, but the first one was on its way, so it was less than an hour before we could set off.

At the bottom of the locks we carried on to Norton Junction.  There was no space for us, so Nigel got off to go to the fish and chip shop while the rest of us worked down the top Buckby lock.  It turned out both local chip shops were shut, so we switched cuisine to Chinese.  Matthew steered us out of the lock and along to a mooring in the long pound.

5 miles, 8 locks. (79 miles, 49 locks)

Spring Cruise: Day 2

Today has been like proper summer — sunshine and very warm.  We set off a little before 8.30, with an appointment to keep at Heyford Fields Marina.  We were due at 10 and got there half an hour early, just as Andy the photographer arrived by car.  We were there to do a boat test, and the conditions were perfect.  As we left, as about 12.30, Andy put his drone up again to get shots of the marina, and got some great pictures of us.

We had lunch on the move, then made a stop at Rugby Boats for diesel and an ice cream.  We were served by Matty from Old Friends, and the CanalWorld Forum.  We made another stop just through the bridge to fill the water tank and start the washing machine, mostly with washing we’d brought with us.  Setting off again I said hello to Jim Birch at the boatyard at Weedon, then saw a familiar boat heading towards us.  It was the tug, Harry, and I was all geared up to shout that we knew the previous owners when I realised that the previous owners, Vicky and Kevin Blick, we actually on board.  They’ve bought another project boat, but are delivering Harry to his new owners.  Just beyond Weedon there’s been massive progress on the new road and bridge since we were last this way in September.

When we got to the bottom of Buckby Locks we decided to go up as it’s very noisy from the M1 at the bottom.  Two boats were just about to come out of the bottom lock (including Braidbar no 88, Symphony) and there was also a boat to come down the second lock.  It wasn’t until the sixth lock, our last of the day, that we had to turn one.  We moored up on the long pound, just by the canal shop. As it’s so warm we’ve treated ourselves to a gin and tonic.  It’s Silent Pool gin from Surrey, a leaving gift from Adrian’s work.

11 miles, 6 locks.  (21 miles, 13 locks)

North West Passage: Day 34

There was more heavy rain last night, but it had stopped by this morning -- although the day took a while to make up its mind to be sunny. With another day of few miles to do, we started The washing machine and set off when the wash part of the cycle had finished, at about 9am. The canal towards Braunston is quite slow, because of the number of moored boats. One boater asked if the oil around his boat was on the 'river' further along; it wasn't -- and I wondered if the Jerry can next to his boat had anything to do with it. Eventually we reached Braunston Turn and went right, onto the Grand Union proper.

We stopped at the water point by the Stop House and filled the tank. As we did so, Willow from yesterday came and waited their turn behind us. When we were full we moved alomg and moored outside the marina, and walked up to the shop at the bottom lock -- who didn't have the brass plaques I wanted. As we walked back, Willow was heading for the locks, so we called out to them and said we'd come with them. The bottom lock was prepared by a volunteer lock keeper, and above it Mike from the trip boat in Stoke Bruerne was preparing to take his other boat, Jubilee into the paint dock. The second lock needed turning, but after that each lock had a couple of boats coming down.

Not only were there lots of boats going down the flight, there were another six waiting at the top. We continued through the tunnel, passing two more boats. The passage took 22 minutes.

We had lunch on the move after the tunnel, and considered our mooring options at Norton Junction. We thought about reversing onto the Leicester section if there was a mooring close to the junction, but there wasn't. The cottage overlooking the junction looked particularly nice in the sunshine.

There was plenty of room on the approach to Buckby locks, but we're not particularly keen on those moorings, because of the track alongside. The top lock was full, so we went straight in and went down to the long pound below. There were quite a few boats at the far end near the lock, so we moored up before the bend. A little while later, a couple of boats had gone down the locks, so we moved around the corner to where it's more open, near the little canal shop. We went there for ice creams, and found they had the plaques for the Caldon and the Trent and Mersey to add to the panel in the engine room. The local ducks have been washing themselves quite dramatically.

We've also had a brief post-school visit from Catherine, Grace, Matthew, and Matthew's friend, Daniel.

7 miles, 7 locks. (389 miles, 281 locks)

Crick Show: Day 3

There was heavy rain in the night, and it has rained on and off all day. We set off for the winding hole at about 8.15, and then retraced our steps to Crick. We stopped briefly on the way at Yelvertoft for a top up of water and to get rid of rubbish. Although it was damp, the canal was still rather pretty.

Back at Crick we slotted back into our space and then went to buy all the things we couldn't get yesterday because the sellers didn't take cards. Among the people I talked to was a couple I recognised from the What A Lark blog -- the 'boat-sharers', Amanda and David. It was good to meet them.

This afternoon I was waiting for the announcement of the winners of the favourite boat. This year there was a winner and runner up for narrowboat and widebeam. Bourne Boats came top in the narrowboat category with Threpence Ha'penny, with Braidbar second. Elton Moss built the winning widebeam, and the 9ft wide Pioneer was runner up.

My second cousin, Catherine, and family (including her dad) were at the show, and joined us for the trip back down Watford Locks. As we left it rained hard, so Crick tunnel was drier inside than out. At Watford Locks there was a long and confusing queue. Some boats were going down, then five were to come up, then we were third in another batch to go down. In all, it meant a wait of about two and a half hours. Nigel and I spent quite a lot of time at resetting the top lock to help other boats, and in between we were on our boat moored under the M1 eating a fantastic cake made by Catherine.

Once we were finally going down the locks, they didn't take long at all.

We carried on to Norton Junction, where Catherine and Nigel had left a car. There was no space at the junction, either before or after the turn, so while Nigel went to get fish and chips, we went down the top Buckby lock to the long pound and moored up.

We had a very pleasant rest of the evening with good fish and chips, and because of the long delay at Watford is was around 9.30 when the family left.

11 miles, 8 locks. (53 miles, 29 locks)

Pre-Crick: Journey Day 1

Adrian arrived at a little before 10 last night. This morning we were awake early, and up, showered and breakfasted in time to set off just before 7.30. It was a glorious morning.

We didn't see another moving boat until we were half way up Stoke Bruerne Locks. In fact, the first boat we saw was being carried. It was a pedalo, with two guys going from Birmingham to Brentford for charity. They were on the path on the offside, and Adrian pointed out that the path under the A508 is narrow and low. They decided the proper towpath was better, so put the boat in the water above the lock and pushed themselves across.

At the penultimate lock we met a confused volunteer lock keeper. A boat was coming down and the lock needed a little topping up, so he quite sensibly lifted a couple of top paddles. Then when I arrived he dropped them again. I asked why, and he said there was a boat coming up (us); I pointed out that the lock only needed a little bit of water to enable the downhill boat to use it first, at which point he shrugged and said he didn't know what to do it that situation. I opened the top paddles again and the boat went down. We did the whole flight in an hour and a half.

Blisworth Tunnel wasn't cold but it was wet, and I wished I'd put my coat on. We passed two boats. The railway bridge north of Blisworth has some lovely blue griders underneath. We've been under this bridge loads of times, but I only noticed them when I did a boat test up here a few weeks ago; actually I didn't even notice them then, it was when Andy's photos arrived. They may be making another appearance soon!

At some point after Gayton we passed Jaq moored up, and said a quick hello. We had lunch on the move, then stopped for diesel at Rugby Boats, where we met the new owner, James. Chance was moored in the little marina. At what used to be one of our favourite moorings, before Dodford Bridge, the works for the new road and bridge are in full swing. Tonnes of hardcore are being delivered and compressed

As the M1 came into view, we noticed that the traffic was down to a crawl. We were moving faster than they were. We were making good time, so decided to press on up Buckby Locks. A boat was just coming down the first lock so that was in our favour, but then we were following a rather slow pair of boats, one a single hander, and the other a couple in which the Chinese lady didn't really seem to have fully mastered steering.

We decided to stop in the long pound. We haven't stayed here for a while because the level used to drop alarmingly over night. But work has been done on the lock, and the bottom gates now look pretty water tight. The M1 is still audible, but not as bad as at the bottom. Tomorrow, assuming we don't have a huge delay at Watford, we'll overshoot Crick and spent the night somewhere out alomg the summit pound.

21 miles, 13 locks.

Pre-Crick -- Day 2

It's been a really fantastic day's boating.  We were up pretty early, and set off at 7.45.  It was misty behind the boat.

The sun was already burning off the mist up ahead though, and it wasn't long before my fleece had to come off, then a couple of locks further up I changed into shorts, as the temperature was rising very nicely.

We did the first five locks of the Stoke Bruerne flight on our own, then joined a boat which had been moored in the long pound for the top two.  The couple on board have retired, rented out their house, and were on their way to Liverpool and Lancaster.  We were jealous!

Through the tunnel, we caught up with a Black Prince hire boat which was going very slowly.  Just one boat came the lther way.  A little way past Gayton Junction we passed Windsor Castle, and I had a very quick chat with Alice and her daughter.  We were in a procession of boats, and her husband was hanging onto a rope for dear life as boat after boat came by as he tried to moor up!

It's a while since we've been past Gayton, so although the water through Bugbrooke, Nether Heyford, and Weedon is very familiar it didn't seem boring.  The sunshine helped, no doubt.  I steered, as Adrian had work to do.  At Whilton, a boat was going into the bottom lock as we approached, and apparently didn't spot us in spite of arm waving and horn sounding.  Still, they waited for us at the next lock, and it turned out to be the Blisworth Tunnel Narrowboats Crick show boat.

We made good progress up the locks, but decided to stop above the sixth lock as Adrian had a conference call at 3.30.  Having moored up, and with the shop just a few yards behind, it seemed rude not to go and buy ice creams.

The forecast for tomorrow seems to have improved a bit.  Anything better than a day-long soaking will seem pretty good.

17 miles, 13 locks.  (22 miles, 13 locks)

Crick Trip - Day 2

We set off at 8.15 this morning.  It was grey, fairly cold, but reasonably still.  It took about 45 minutes to get to the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight.  There were no other boats in sight so we set off up the locks on our own.

We met boats coming down at three locks, so it was fairly efficient, and we were at the top in no time.  Then it was the familiar trip through the tunnel, dodging what water cascades I could, but still getting pretty wet.

At Gayton Junction, we found a couple of familiar boats moored: Matilda Rose, and No Problem.  We moored up and went to MR for tea and biscuits and a catch up chat.  The last time I saw Jill and Graham was more than a year ago; I saw Sue and Vic last September, while I was crewing for Chance through Droitwich.  We were there for about an hour, setting off again just before 1pm.  We then had lunch on the move.

While we'd been moored up, loads of boats had gone past, including Muchgigglin, who we shared locks with down to Marsworth Junction a couple of weeks ago.  As we neared Tarry's coal yard at Furnace Wharf, Muchgigglin was just leaving the service wharf in front of us.  The day was getting much brighter, and the sun was coming out -- although it still seemed pretty cold and a bit breezy too.  We decided that as we were making good progress, we'd carry on as far as we could: if Muchgigglin were going up the Buckby locks, we'd go with them, and if they weren't we'd stop at the bottom.  They were going up, and seemed pleased to have us as locking partners again.  We had a few things to catch up on, including their evening at Paddington with my colleague with the famous voice.

We made quick progress up the locks.  Tone and Julie had a friend staying with them, so there was always someone to go up and get the next lock ready.  By now the sun was so bright it was being a problem!

We stopped six locks up, in the long pound below the top lock.  The water level was pretty low, but the back-pumping scheme has been working and we're afloat at the moment.  I suspect there's a chance we could be aground by the morning.  It's quite a nice spot here, with a nice outlook; the sound of the M1 and the Virgin trains is in the background, but not too bad.

20 miles, 13 locks.  (21 miles, 13 locks)