Here we are passing Yardley wharf with Malcolm and Ann following closely behind.
The weather is overcast with patches of sunshine and the wind is still raw.
I love this polite sign asking boaters to slow down because of 'elderly ducks crossing'. The C&RT sign states the real purpose of the sign. I know which one I prefer.
Just approaching the bottom lock where this runoff allows excess canal water to flow into the River Tove. However, in the dry season, water can be pumped from the river into the canal. A win win situation.
We had an excellent transit through the locks and here you can see the two captains working the top gates together with the two boats side by side waiting to be set free. On a couple of locks, while we were waiting for them to fill, I walked to the next lock up to open the paddles ready for our approach. By the time I had walked back to the boat, the gates were ready to be opened with the next lock being almost ready for us to enter.
We were being followed up the flight by a single hander and, because nobody was coming down, after closing the top gates the two captains would open the bottom paddles so that, in turn, the lock would be ready for him to enter. That's the joy of boating, everyone helps each other out.
Having got to the top we were all feeling quite chilly. What better excuse do you need to go to the pub for lunch? Navigation, here we come.
The downside of our lunch in the pub was that when we came out it was mizzling. We decided to push on a bit further and, even though wet, the tunnel was, on the whole, drier than it was out in the open!
We made our way through Blisworth and Gayton Junction where we decided to call it a day and tie up for the night. Fire alight and our turn to entertain with a welcome cuppa in the warm. And, of course, it's now stopped raining!
Sleep tight.
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