Look East: Day 2

A lovely sunny morning.  We set off a bit before 9, turned right at Gayton Junction, and headed for the top of the locks. It was about 20 past when we got there.  The first few locks were empty and needed turning, but about five down we met a boat coming up.  It’s a very pretty flight.

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)

July weekend - Day 2

It's been a fantastic day of boating.  We woke to another sunny day, and set off at 8am.  Half an hour later we started up the locks at Stoke Bruerne, meeting boats at the second lock and the top (including another Braidbar, Load of Hay).

Approaching the tunnel, the moorings were the emptiest I've ever seen.  We waited for Cyprus to wind, although once he was well in the winding hole he called us past.  It was nice and cool in the tunnel.

At Gayton Junction, we turned right onto the Northampton Arm.  It's new water for us (except that I've done a couple of boat tests from Blisworth Marina, when we've gone along to the top lock and back).  At Gayton Marina they were lifting a boat out of the water, so we had to hold back slightly.

At the locks, the first couple were in our favour, and with crew, we were able to set ahead.  Adrian worked the first few locks, then took over the steering.  The Rothersthorpe flight is really very pretty, and with all the locks set we made incredibly quick progress.  When the boat wasn't going forward it was going down -- it was never stationary!  We did the first 12 locks in 55 minutes.

Then it's under the M1.

Just above the next lock is a rare stretch of piling, so as it was 12.30 we stopped for lunch for an hour or so.

The next stretch is also quite pretty.  We saw a family of swans, and the water was so clear we also saw fish and crayfish.  The Express Lifts Tower dominates the skyline.

As we approached Northampton, the scenery deteriorated a little, and we saw a few drunks and kids.  But we were soon at the lock onto the River Nene, with the Carsberg brewery in the background.

On the river, we made the short trip through a couple of bridges to the new marina at Becket's Park.  We moored on the visitor moorings, then went to the office to pay our fee and get a one day river licence.  It's a very nice marina, and we have water and electricity.

We made a quick trip to Morrison's, which is just a few minutes walk away, to top up on salad stuff mostly, but otherwise we've been enjoying the sunshine and (even more) the breeze.

11 miles, 24 locks.  (14 miles, 24 locks)