Heading north: Day 2

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)

To blacking

Adrian came up to the boat yesterday afternoon and did things like get shopping and top up the water tank.  I came up after work, arriving just after 11.30pm.  This morning we began with a car shuffle, both of us driving up to Heyford Fields, where we left Adrian’s car.  Once back at our own marina, we set off; it was just after 8.30 and it was a beautiful morning.

There was a decent sized flock of swans munching their way through a farmer’s field.  A bit further on were some goslings of varying age in a big group; and a pheasant, undoubtedly the world’s stupidest bird, was looking bemused on the towpath.

A boat moored below Stoke Bruerne Locks had a very impressive bow fender, a mermaid figurehead made from rope.

At the locks, the bottom lock was set for a boat coming down but they were still some way off, so we waited for about 15 minutes.  We were joined for the journey up the first five locks by a boat which had been on the water point, with a very pleasant couple on board.  They moored in the long pound while we carried on to the top.  In Stoke Bruerne we saw Mike on the trip boat, Charlie, and Kathryn who was giving a guided walk.  The tunnel was wet as usual, and we had lunch on the move once we were through.

It was at about this time that Adrian realised he didn’t know where his car key was.  We both looked for it to no avail, so the theory that he’d left it in the door pocket of my car, back at our marina, was looking increasingly likely.  I suggested he got a taxi from where we were, just through Blisworth, rather than waiting until we got to Heyford Fields.  So while I continued on the boat, he was picked up at the Walnut Tree and was soon back at the marina, where his key was indeed in my car.  He then drove up to Heyford Fields and swapped cars.  We met up briefly at Bugbrooke so he could collect a few things and leave my car key behind, and then he headed off to London.  While the taxi was expensive, the episode saved us quite a lot of time.

I continued a bit further and have moored up in a nice sunny spot opposite Heyford Fields Marina.  Being here means I don’t need to be quizzed by the marina wardens who swoop as soon as anyone sets foot on their frontage.  I’ll take the boat in in the morning, and watch it being taken out of the water.

14 miles, 7 locks.

July Works: Day 2

We woke to a beautiful sunny day. With only about three hours of boating to do and all day to do it in, we had a pretty leisurely start and left our mooring at around 9.30, just after a couple of boats had come down the lock. That meant it was set for us.

As we rose in the lock, we could see someone was working the top lock; when the two boats were down they left a gate open for us. By the time we'd gone up the top lock, a little cruiser and a narrowboat were ready to come down.

As we entered Blisworth Tunnel, I couldn't see the far end. I knew there was a boat in front, but that wasn't the only reason; the middle section was very murky, with a mix of mist and engine fumes -- which probably came from the 1931 boat, William, which is now a camping boat, and had left from the long pound before us. At the far end of the tunnel, the boats which had come through had brought the fumes with them, and they were hanging in the air of the cutting for the next fifty metres or so.

At the far side of Blisworth, a boat test boat, Posh Fox, was moored up, and I said hello to the owners who were sitting in the well deck. Gayton Junction was slightly chaotic. As we passed Blisworth Marina, a boat moored on the towpath side decided to set off when we were just a few feet behind him. He waved us past, but still kept the boat in gear. At the same time, a boat was coming through the junction bridge and then wanted to turn into the marina. He was bow thrusting furiously to help him get round in the limited space -- but the wrong way. The boat now just behind us told him he was pressing the wrong button. Through the bridge, there was one boat on the services, and two more waiting. Then the boat behind wanted to use the junction to turn around; I was glad we were going straight on. Maffi was moored just along from the junction. Near Bugbrook was a boat with the most remarkable artwork on all sides.

We carried on in really lovely sunshine, although it was at times very breezy. It was so nice, we went past our destination for a bit, and moored up for lunch in a nice spot. At around 2.30, we set off again and used the winding hole just through the next bridge at Furnace Wharf to turn around. The sunshine was great, the sky was blue, and the clouds were white and fluffy.

We arrived at Heyford Fields Marina, home of Boating Leisure Services, ready for the work they're going to be starting tomorrow. We then drove back to our Marina, where Adrian's car was. We'll be back later in the week for the return journey.

9 miles, 2 locks. (14 miles, 7 locks)

 

Blacking Cruise: Day 2

We both slept very well, and woke to a much brighter day.  We had a relaxed start, and by the time we were ready to set off, anglers had set up all around us.  There were boats just leaving the first lock, which meant the top one was also in our favour.

We had a quick chat with Kathryn at the top lock before she dashed off to a meeting.  Further along towards the tunnel, the tow path is being re-done.

Blisworth tunnel was pretty wet.  We passed one boat as we went through.  The other side, the sun was still shining, making the best of the Northants countryside.

We moored up just short of Bugbrooke for lunch, then carried on through the village to Heyford Fields marina, where we're having the blacking done.  We moored up on the outside of the marina, then we drove in Adrian's car back to Thrupp Wharf, where he dropped me off.  He's now gone to London for work, while I drove back to Heyford Fields, stopping for a bit of extra shopping on the way -- all the things we've realised over the past two days that need topping up.

It's been really quite warm in the sun this afternoon, and I've been outside chatting to our temporary neighbours, and James from the boat yard.  Tomorrow, I'm hoping to see Briar Rose come out the water.

8 miles, 2 locks.  (13 miles, 7 locks)