Back to Stoke Bruerne

After a quiet night we set off towards Stoke Bruerne.

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.

Rendezvous at Thrupp

The weather forecast for Sunday suggested showers in the afternoon. So, after breakfast and the usual washing up, we set off pretty smartish in bright sunshine. The breeze was still on the chilly side but not as strong as previously.

We've been passing this place for many years in New Bradwell and there's still work being done to it. 

I hope they get it finished soon but then I'd have to find something else to write about.

We found where the volunteers moored their barge from the cleanup. Just look at it. All that in the canal and at least three mattresses as well. There were bikes, filing cabinets, garden chairs, tyres, trollies, to name but a few. 

We see a wide variety of vessels on our travels. A Dutch barge complete with drop down barge boards.

A larger barge, also Dutch, I believe.

We cleared the lock, stopped at the sanitary station to empty the loo and drop off some rubbish and we are now exiting Cosgrove under this very ornate sandstone bridge.

This last photo doesn't really do justice to the feeling we get when boating. There's no one about just open space, open air, just trees and water and sky. We're chugging along at 4mph - even joggers overtake us. It's bliss.

We spent most of the afternoon at Thrupp waiting for Malcolm and Ann to join us after lunching with their family. They've got a hire boat for 10 days so we'll be able to have a few days together. We moved up the canal about a mile, dropped anchor - sorry, got carried away there - moored up and had a good old natter together. 

Tomorrow we set off for Stoke Bruerne and make the difficult decision about which pub to go to. Life's hard on a narrowboat.

Off to Great Linford

Not a bad morning, at least, no wind and no rain. What more could you want?

As you can see, the canal is smooth and still.

We saw this tugboat the other day but now we know where it's moored. What better than a waterside home with a boat just outside the door.

Through Cosgrove lock, a short stop to take on water and then over the Great Ouse Aqueduct.

Views to right and left.

And standing on guard...

a friendly heron.

As you pass through Stonebridge there is a mural showing all the industry associated with the Grand Union Canal.

It's quite a long mural and probably needs a couple more photos to get it all in. It was painted in 2011 and yet there's very little graffiti. 

Now what? You're blocking the canal! 

Oh, it's a gang of volunteers cleaning up the canal.

The barge they were towing was full to the gunwales and still they were piling more rubbish on top. As they moved past us they were trawling three hooks behind and we saw them pull two supermarket trollies out of the water. 

Believe it or not but this is Milton Keynes. The captain took a turn at steering so I had a chance to sit up front while I waited for the kettle to boil.

Arrived at Great Linford and performed a beautiful turn in the winding hole. Nobody watching, of course, especially when I didn't hit anything. Get people watching and I go all over the place.

The captain has just reminded me that there was a family watching us and that they were all waving away at us.

And this is our mooring for the night. Not a bad view is it?

After lunch we went for a walk around Great Linford Manor Park. When the canal came to this area it cut across the middle of the Manor lands. We are moored by a couple of lakes which, in their turn, were linked to a third. Crossing the canal we found the third lake complete with signboard explaining all.

Further on, walking along the path of the old railway track, we came across this elegant signpost.

Only a short walk today and now back to the boat.

These wooden sculptures are in a wild flower meadow and depict the different types of seeds.

Past the old almshouses which overlook the two lakes I mentioned earlier.

And here they are. And if I enlarge the middle of the picture.

Our mooring seen from the landward side. 

Time for a cuppa followed by a restful evening. Happy boating.

Wet, wet, wet?

Woke up to the patter of tiny - no, not feet - raindrops, and not so tiny at that. 

We had breakfast and then I got stuck in to some computer work and the captain did a bit of washing. Well, the computer decided it was on holiday too and took about half an hour to get going. 

Still, we set off eventually at 11:30 in time for it to start raining again. I know, I should have told you that it stopped raining while I was wrestling with the computer. 

We soon passed these two old working boats.

The signage on the front says 'Charlotte's Arts', presumably one of our canal artists. 

Stopped off at Baxter's Services and stocked up with Elsan Blue, engine oil, antifreeze, shackles and turnbuckles, all things necessary to someone with a narrowboat.

We made our way down to Cosgrove but not many pictures. Did I say that it was raining?

After lunch the sun appeared briefly and we had a walk round town.

Just an outside view of The Barley Mow, a great pub, but not for today!

You don't often see this, a boat moored on the canal right above the horse tunnel. Horses would have been stabled at the pub and the only access to the other side of the canal would have been through this tunnel.

Luckily for us we stopped short of this bit of the canal. As you can see the trees are being pollarded and there was quite a racket going on when we arrived. It looks as if they are using a saw that grips the branch, saws through it and then lays it all in a neat pile.

And here's the captain enjoying some afternoon sun.

She's wearing a waterproof top that we bought in the Towcester garden centre.

Walked round a bit more of the village and then back to the boat for tea and a shower. 

After supper we watched 'Have I got news for you' and now it's time for bed.

Didn't know we had so many friends

Just as Terry and Caroline were leaving we got an email from John and Anna asking if they could come and join us for coffee sometime soon. Messages flew back and forth and we arranged to meet up in Stoke Bruerne on Thursday.

So, Wednesday, another trip into Towcester to stock up with more provisions, lunch at the garden centre - well, it was so good the first time round - quick tidy up and off again.

A lovely evening cruise at about a quarter to five. 

We decided that we would go past Gayton Junction and find a mooring just before Blissworth, leaving the tunnel for Thursday morning.

Here we are all settled down for the night.

And, what a night.

If you think that looks arty, how about this?

After the bluster of the day, now as still as a millpond. 

A light supper of spinach and poached egg - didn't need anything more after the lunch we had in Towcester. 

Thursday and we were up early to make sure we were in Stoke Bruerne by 11 o'clock.

A clear sky as we headed off.

The captain had just taken over steering when this hireboat appeared round the corner. No, we didn't hit them! The captain's good at driving the boat.

Past Blissworth Tunnel Boats for the 3rd time in two days, through the tunnel which was still wet! However, today, the captain steered us through the new section of the tunnel. She doesn't like steering in the tunnel so today was a big day.

And here we are outside The Boat Inn waiting (in good time) to meet John and Anna. Sadly they couldn't stay for lunch so, after lunch on board, being such a sunny day, we set off through the locks. 

Just a picture of a boat we keep passing - The Filthy Oar. 

We were fortunate enough to team up with a family from Germany and their son was energetic enough to run round opening and closing gates. Note: we used to be that energetic once. Now we are old enough to know better!

Just under 2 hours and we are exiting the bottom lock. Not bad time for us. 

We pottered on for another mile or so and have moored near Grafton Regis. The wind has dropped, the fire is alight and we are sitting in our chairs just taking time out. 

Friends come visiting II

Terry and Caroline returned at 9 o'clock for a trip down to Stoke Bruerne (and back). 

Just managed to fit a new front fender before setting off.

Had a teensy weensy problem reversing out of the marina because of a strong crosswind. Ended up jumping off and pushing the back round - it's easier doing that than trying to get the boat to do it for you - and it's much quicker. 

Anyway, sun's shining and all's well.

Caroline came and took over the steering and here we are looking back at Gayton Junction. 

Just short of Blissworth and there's major repairs on the railway embankment. Nothing to do with HS2! 

And then the tunnel. 😨

I was naughty really and let Caroline steer the boat into the tunnel entrance. The fact is that even though you have a headlight, for 2 or 3 minutes you can't really see anything. It is quite disorientating and you can lose all sense of direction. The entrance to the tunnel is particularly bad as the walls are black and there's very little to go by. 

I relented and took the tiller. The tunnel was very wet, more so than usual. We also had to pass another boat, without bumping I might add. 

The end's in sight!

Arrived in one piece just in time for lunch at The Navigation. Splendid lunch again, splendid company, splendid everything. Never talked so much, just ready for an afternoon nap 😴. 

But no, it's 4 o'clock and we need to get back to Bugbrooke. 

Down through the locks, spin round, back up through the locks again, through the tunnel - did I say that it was wet? This time, when I'd got us through the tasty black bits and we were in the newer part, Caroline took over again and brought us safely out the far end. Needless to say, we didn't talk much in the tunnel. 

Spring is certainly coming with the swans already setting up home.

Terry came up and took over the steering from Gayton to Bugbrooke. The wind was still blasting away and the temperature began dropping fast. We moored up at about 7 o'clock, got some hot chocolate on the go, lit the fire, eat some cake, even more chatting and all was well. 

Our visitors left at a quarter to eleven after a busy but very enjoyable day.

Night night! 🥱 🛌 💤

Friends come visiting

Monday and Tuesday, Terry and Caroline came to see us on the boat.

After giving them a full tour of the boat we set off towards Weedon.

The blossom on the trees certainly prove that Spring is on the way at last.

Many or you will have heard of Rosie and Jim, the canal puppets. How about this for a twist on their names?

Which do you prefer? Answers on a postcard to CanalPost Room 101.

Past Heyford Fields marina and, as you can see, the sky is quite overcast.

Just before Weedon there is a string of moorings and every time we come past, something new has been added to this boat.

It's obvious to us that someone loves their boat a lot.

Ah, our lunch venue is in sight.

The Narrow Boat at Weedon Bec. After a superb lunch we spun the boat round and headed back towards Bugbrooke. 

Passing High House Marina with all their boats ready to go out.

Believe it or not but the sun came out so we stopped for afternoon tea.

And then a leisurely poodle back to the marina and a light supper of Christmas croissants. 

An enjoyable day with friends.