Thursday was damp on and off most of the day. We were fortunate enough to team up with Driftweed, a Weedon hire boat, for the Buckby locks. We were even more fortunate when the all male crew of the boat following kept catching up with us and insisting on closing the gates for us. Something the captain was grateful for as these gates are notoriously heavy.
You can see the volume of water coming down cascading over the top of the bottom lock. With that amount of water coming into the lock we weren't able to open the bottom gates. All we could do was stay put with the bottom paddles open until the water levels went down.
Eventually got through and stopped a bit further on to pay a visit to the Heart of the Shires shopping village.
Only one problem - the access tunnel under the railway was flooded.
There was just enough path to one side to get through. We had lunch when we got there and bought a few bits and bobs for the galley.
Stopped at Weedon, battened down the hatches, lit the fire and, even with an unstable Internet connection, joined in a Zoom meeting. The wonders of modern science.
Friday. Set off reasonably early to get as much sun before the inevitable forecast rain.
Coming up to Rugby Boats where we would normally top up with fuel - but not this time.
And, just around the corner, right before a turn through a bridge, look what we should meet. A traditional rig of tender and butty snaking through ahead of us.
The day then continued in a mix of rain and sun. Wind and cloud. But we ploughed on past Bugbrooke and on down to Gayton.
Here’s the crossover bridge at Gayton where the towpath changes from one side to the other.
Emptied the loo and topped up with water at Gayton Junction and noticed this mural on the wall.
It celebrates the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm.
Have now motored back to bridge 45 and have had an afternoon of sun. What a change from this morning.
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