Cowroast to Winkwell

We were up with the lark as the alarm went off for 6am and we set off at 7am, Hadar’s engine thumping her way along the cut. We set off early as we wanted to get through Berkhamstead early, not knowing what to expect in the way of bandits etc. So we left the mooring at Cowroast behind and headed for the first lock of 15 we would do today. One thing we have seen a lot of is hedge laying, it seems very popular in this part of the country
Yet more Herons were seen on our journey, either on their own or in pairs. There calls are really something quite prehistoric.

Another thing we see a lot on the Grand Union is Dutch Barges and wide beam boats. This Dutch barge was built in 1926 in Holland and was up for sale.Having already done 3 of the 15 locks we were through Northchurch and onto the outskirts of Berkhamstead. There is a Waitrose on the side of the canal if you need any provisions and a play park for the kids if you plan to moor there for up to 14 days, you are also spoilt for choice with the pubs. Just before the Railway station there is a picturesque road bridge.Opposite the Crystal Palace pub there was a decorative pole. Not sure what is was meant to be for, but it looked lovely, more something you would see in a cowboy’s and Indians film hahaha.Keith remembers the Rising Sun Pub at Rising Sun lock as he had a quick half in there when he was running Pisces all those years ago.

He was really surprised how much Berkhamstead had change, as it was very industrial when he came through in 1970. Now it is all housing and park areas, not at all what we expected.
We continued doing the locks, some of which had instructions on to leave gates shut but paddles up as they had leaky walls. A few of the locks had anti vandal locks on them, so the little darlings could not cause havoc.
We saw yet more herons, moorhens and a squirrel sat right at the top of a tree.

As we were entering the last lock the rain decided to fall, and the clouds were very dark and menacing, so we did the 15th lock of the day then moored up at Winkwell before the Swing Bridge, which is BW key operated. It was then the thunder began and the lightening kicked in, time for lunch and coffee. This would be our mooring for the weekend. Near The Three Horseshoes pub and the Swing Bridge.

The sky behind the boat was very dark; you just knew it was going to throw everything at us.

How cute is that dog????
So we settled down to lunch and coffee in the back cabin, listing to the thunder when all of a sudden the rain began with a vengeance, it then turned to hail.

Once it was over the sun came out again and I stuck my head out of the engine room doors to see what had been left behind, to find hail stones on the grass alongside the boat.

Within 15 minutes we had every kind of weather thrown at us LOL.
So we will spend the weekend here and see what there is to offer.

Saturday 12th April.

We took a bus into Hemel Hempstead from Bourne End. From the moorings by The Three Horse Shoes, you walk up to the main road and turn left; there is a bus stop by the garage, which is by the way useful for newspapers, milk, bread etc. So we caught the bus £3.20 each return, which we thought was ok. Having arrived in Hemel Hempstead, we took a look around the new shopping centre which has all the usual high street stores, after that we decided to take a stroll up to the old town centre; Hemel is a town of two halves, them and us, old and new. Whilst in the old part we came across Jordons Antique Centre, what caught our eye were the lace or ribbon plates, there were lots of them. There was also Measham ware as well. We were in seventh heaven, like kids in a sweet store LOL. We got talking to the shop owner Michal and came to realise that Michal runs the stall at the boat festivals known as Back Cabin Antiques, and would be going to the IWA National Festival this year, so we would see him there. We enjoyed a lovely chat before heading off to find somewhere for lunch, which turned out to be Wetherspoons for Fish and Chips. It was an enjoyable day for us and we look forward to coming back.
Back at the boat, I got a clothes wash done, we then spent the rest of the evening in front of the TV, so nothing exciting to report.

Sunday 13th April.

A chilly morning when we awoke at 6am. I know its Sunday, why were we awake so early?
I have absolutely no idea, so I made us a nice hot cuppa, before settling back in to bed, Mog and Dog thought it would be a good idea if they joined us, as it was cold in the saloon, so they both curled up at the bottom at the bed, until it was time to get up and get the boat chores done. Today we needed to change the generator oil after her first 50 hours of running that went very well it did not take long with me helping out handing Keith everything he needed. I did some cooking for dinner including an apple crumble. I took the opportunity to do the bed linen wash, as everything was dry from yesterdays wash.
The weather was hit and miss, with heavy showers and sunshine. Whilst the sun was out I took the chance to take a few photographs.

The Three Horse Shoes, is a lovely pub dating from 1535, it has four open fires and is said to have two ghosts, a highwayman and an old lady. From what we have seen it is an extremely popular pub, with lots happening, such a curry, comedy and music nights.

Opposite the pub is a boat yard Middx and Herts Boat Services, they sell diesel, have a small chandlery and rubbish disposal. They also have a very good dry dock for DIY work on your boat, or they can do it for you. In the dry dock Keith and I noticed a boat named Arabia, she was another Roger Fuller boat built in 1992, the person owning her now is the second to have her, and told me that he loves everything about the boat.
Down near the lock there is a really good information board, telling you all about Winkwell and its history.

Having taken a few photographs, we watched working boats Argus and Bletchley move off from behind us to go on down.

The pair of working boats carries and sells diesel and coal.
Whilst standing on the counter I happened to notice we were carrying a passenger on the fender.

I rescued the little frog and put him down by the stream alongside the boat.
So as Sunday’s go it has been pretty busy for us, the rest of the day will be quiet, as we will settle down and watch a movie. So see you next week.
Take care and stay safe, no matter where you are in the world.

Soulbury Three Locks to Cowroast.

Wednesday 9th April.

It was a sunny, frosty morning when we poked our heads out of the boat. Paddy enjoyed a lead free run a long the towpath before we thought about heading off for the day. On the BW notice board I could not help but notice their stoppage notice was way out of date, 2 years to be exact
Just as we were getting Hadar ready to set off NB Misty Blue was approaching us ready for Lock 1, so I wished them a good morning and asked if they would like to share the locks, which they were only to happy to do. So it was 8.25am and we were off to Lock 1.

Whilst operating the locks Bett and I enjoyed a nice chat whilst Keith and Rowl steered the boats.
Having down the Soulbury 3 we headed on to the next lock, noticing a large rabbit warren by the railway. There were dozens of rabbits eating breakfast; they were not at all bothered by us.

The views across the countryside are truly stunning. We past by The Globe Inn, which used to have stables for the horses, which towed the horse drawn boats, these days the stabling is now apart of the pub. We cruised towards Leighton Buzzard, passing through an old open Swing Bridge, and then through Leighton Lock. NB Misty Blue then left us as they moved on in front of us heading for a mooring at Leighton Buzzard outside of Tesco, which was our first port of call. It is great you can moor up right outside of the store. We arrived to find a space just right for Hadar, and having chatted to Rowl for a few minutes we then collected our rucksacks and headed into Tesco for a large food shop, at this point NB Misty Blue was on their way, so we said our goodbye’s. Having done a food shop we left Leighton Buzzard at 11.30am, I unpacked the shopping whilst Keith moved the boat, we were soon out into the countryside, where we had our first sighting this year of ducklings. Mum only had the two, which looked very young

We approached Grove Lock, where there was a boat already coming down, so that was handy.
The pub was new to Keith; he reckoned it was not there the last time he came through. Anyway I walked up to the lock to help with the gates, whilst the gentleman went into the pub with two of their own glasses to get them both a drink to have on board as they went along. Now how civilised is that hahahaha. Having let them go we continued up through grove lock and onwards. We now started to get a fantastic view of the Dunstable Downs and the Chilton’s, it really is truly stunning and no amount of photographs could do it justice.

On Dunstable Downs the Whipsnade White lion is visible from the canal.

The lion was cut into the hillside in 1935 and is over 480 ft long. It is really quite impressive. We got to see our second family off ducklings; mum was busy looking after 8 little fluff balls. Sadly Keith spotted one duckling that did not make it. With the cold nights we have been having, there was always going to be casualties.

I wrestled with the swing bridge at Great Seabrook, knowing that I had another 2 locks to do before our day was completed.

During the last few days we have seen numerous herons about. First thing this morning I saw 3 together flying up the canal, we have seen them on their own and this cheeky heron clearly wanted us to see him, as he sat on the lock gate whilst we approached.

Herons are normally solitary birds, but at this time of the year they get together for the breeding season, so it is not uncommon to see a few together.
We passed NB Misty Blue who had moored up before the locks. We would probably see them tomorrow.
We did the last lock of the Marsworth 2, and were looking to find a mooring before the next set of 7 locks, which would be tomorrow’s job. At the junction of the Aylesbury arm, finding a place to moor was not as easy as we thought. Keith said that there used to be plenty of moorings, but these days they are for permit holders only or residential moorings. We did eventually find a mooring near the White Lion Pub. In all there are around 6 visitor moorings and the rest are taken up for permit holders etc. So having moored up and done all the usual things when we stop, it was decided having down an 8 hour day and 15 locks we would eat out.
We ended up eating at the White Lion, where the food was lovely. We both had Spaghetti and Meatballs with Cheese, followed by Keith had sticky toffee pudding and custard and I had lemon Cheese Cake, they were both scrummy. It has been a hard day but a beautiful day. I did not wear a jacket all day that is how warm it was. So here’s to a busy day tomorrow.

Thursday 10th April.

Up early after a cuppa in bed to the sound of a wren singing its heart out. For such a small bird they make a huge sound, it was a joy to listen to at 7am. I took Paddy for a walk down the Aylesbury arm which looks really pretty, we will get around to doing that one day I am sure. I learnt from reading a notice board that Marsworth was known at Maffers by the working boatman.We left our mooring by The White Lion Pub at 8.50am and headed up through lock 1

Just another 6 locks to do lol.
From the locks in the Marsworth flight you can see the Marsworth reservoir, which is extremely large and very beautiful. We caught our first glimpse of a pair of Giant Grebe.There are a few mooring above lock one if you want to spend time walking and watching the wildlife, I know we will definitely stop there another time.

We did the flight of 7 locks and arrived at Bulbourne Junction at 10.30am,

We passed the house that was in the film the Bargee.

We took a diversion onto the Wendover Arm which is being extended. They started the Wendover trust in 1989 and they are restoring the navigation the full length of the arm through to Wendover. It is however very shallow and we were ditch crawling for most of the trip, until we reached the new part that was completed recently. The one thing that dominates the landscape is the Flour Mill.

Having made it to the end of the arm, they still have a lot of work to do, but we are looking forward to taking Hadar down the rest of the Wendover Arm. We then had to wind Hadar and ditch crawl our way back to the junction.Having turned back onto the Grand Union Canal we went searching for a mooring, we found one opposite the BW Bulbourne Workshops.

But having had bacon butties for lunch we decided as it was so nice we would carry on to Cowroast for a mooring.
Once we moored up before the Cowroast lock we were treated to some entertainment at the expensive of the local Tring School rowing club.

The girl’s pairs were actually pretty good. Unfortunately the coxed 4’s for the boys was not fairing so well.

They could not keep a straight line and were so busy shouting at each other, they were not listening to the Cox or the coach, and it was very funny entertainment whilst we cleaned the boats brass.
So a great day yet again and no sign of the rain which was forecast. So roll on tomorrow and the weekend.

Stoke Bruerne to The Soulbury Three Locks

Monday 7th April.

Having had a nice weekend, with us having a lovely Sunday Roast in the Navigation Inn, for our dinner, the remainder of Sunday saw us have wintry showers.
So we a woke to a very cold morning, with a chilly breeze. But we were leaving Stoke Bruerne anyway, so having had breakfast and walked Paddy; we set off at 9.15am with the prospect of 7 locks to do. As Keith was getting the boat engine warmed up, I went and set the first lock, unfortunately there was no other boats going down to we would be using the double locks on our own. We did meet a hire boat coming up through the locks.
Having done the last lock and emptied the loo again, we headed off along the wide canal.

This is my first time down this way so I am looking forward to a whole new experience. We did come to Stoke Bruerne on our other boat but no further, than outside the museum. For Keith this is home territory. I am overwhelmed by the scenery, it is all very picturesque. What really spoils the view though is other boater’s rubbish. Yes we past this mess on the towpath.

Why can’t they take their rubbish with them, instead of leaving it where they dumped it whilst they moored up for what have been a long time. Grrrrrrrrrrr it makes my blood boil.
We passed Yardley Wharf and the village of Yardley Gobian, which is a small thatched and stone community, the village is bypassed by the A508.
Again the views across the countryside are breath taking, it makes you realise just how lucky we are to be able to see such beauty.
We came past Thrupp Wharf and this sign made us both giggle.

We did not however see any of the elderly ducks hahaha.
Our stopping place for the day was to be Cosgrove, which we entered under Soloman’s Bridge.

Soloman’s Bridge is a splendid stone bridge, decorated in the Gothic style and built in 1800. Its style is unique to canal bridges.
It was now 12.30pm and we found ourselves a mooring and enjoyed lunch.
One of the reasons for continually cruising is that not only do we get to enjoy life afloat, but we get to stop at lovely places like Cosgrove and have a look around. So having had lunch we set off on what turned out to be a 4 mile walk. Firstly we walked to the Great Ouse Aqueduct, and took a path under the canal using a very small tunnel.

Just as well neither Keith nor I are very tall. I am 5 foot and Keith is only a little taller.

We saw the old line of the canal and one of the locks, it was not an original, but one put in place to show you how it would of looked.
This was put in place whilst the aqueduct was being built.

Having seen that we then walked back to Cosgrove Lock and along the old Stratford Cut (Buckingham Arm), which is now disused, but has residential moorings along it. We walked for quite sometime before finding a foot path which took us up into Cosgrove itself, where we passed the church.

I love looking around old villages; you get a feel for its history. We walked through another tiny pedestrian tunnel which takes you under the canal, at the time we could hear a boat above us. Near the lock is the impressive Cosgrove Hall, where in 1958 a Roman bathhouse was found in front of the hall. Whilst the village shop has now closed down, there is a shop for provisions at the near by Mobile Home Park. You can get to it if you go down behind the sanitary station before the lock. It has everything you would need in the way of food. So having walked 4 miles it was back to the boat for a coffee and a rest hahaha. It will be a quiet evening onboard for us, with a chicken casserole and dumplings for dinner.

Tuesday 8th April.

Oh what a beautiful morning. Whilst ready to take Paddy for his morning walk, I found a note on our back counter from the mooring warden welcoming us to Cosgrove, in the note it also gave us telephone numbers to ring if we had any problems. Isn’t always nice to know someone cares. Walk over and 9am time to set off on our days adventure.We crossed the Aqueduct over the Great Ouse and were welcomed into Milton Keynes.

From the canal you can see Ouse Valley Park on the left and to the right is Old Wolverton and the Site of the medieval village of Old Wolverton. We were then on the out skirts of Milton Keynes and it did kind of surprise me that it was not more built up. I expected more industry and what I got were houses and lots of open green land, which were parks and playing fields for the kids amongst us. There was some art of interest as well.

After Stonebridge a disused Windmill comes into view as you cross over another aqueduct.
I wonder if one day they will get the windmill working again?

We had thought we may stop in Milton Keynes, so we could visit the Odean Cinema with our free tickets, but because it was such a beautiful day we decided to continue, so I prepared lunch which we had on the move.
The wildlife of the day seemed to be the Heron, we saw quite a few as we made our way to our over night mooring.

At Great Linford there is some wonderful parkland, with lots of walks and things to do, including the Medival Village of Great Linford and the Brick Kilns, non of which we would see on this trip.
We made our way to Fenny Stratford and the lock, and who should be coming the other way but Trevor on NB Beau. We first met Trevor last year in Stone. He has a hairy companion now in the shape of a border collie, and that is my fault hahaha. I put Trevor onto the Border Collie Trust at Rugeley, where he found Bill. We said our hello’s, caught up on news and then said our goodbye’s before heading down through the lock with another boat we had been following for some of the day. My laugh of the day came when they entered the lock with us. It looked like husband and wife with Grand children onboard. What made me laugh was the way the husband spoke to his wife, she was steering the boat into the lock, and he was shouting instructions to her, at which point she shouted “I cannot hear you over the radio”, which was blasting out Robbie Williams. The husbands reply was “Moan, moan, moan, nag nag, nag woman that’s all you ever do”. They were in for a happy cruise. I did not utter a word, I just did my side of the lock and left them to it hahahahahThe Lock at Fenny Stratford is different because it has a swing bridge right across the middle of it. We skirted past Bletchley which was known for its lace making and of course in war time, it was where they used to break the codes.
Having done Stoke Hammond Lock we found a mooring at the bottom of the Soulbury Three Locks for the day. It has been a very pleasant day for us both, Keith last came through this area in the late 60’s early 70’s so it has all change so much. For him it will now be a matter of trying to see things he remembers from his day's working on Pieces.

Winter wonderland Sunday.

This morning we a woke to a winter wonderland. Whilst I was out taking these photographs, a lady walking her dog wished me a Merry Christmas hahahaha.
Hadar looked spendid covered in snow.

It was a shame the footpath was not covered in snow as well.

How beautiful it looks in a winter blanket.

Snowman on a boat hehehe, the gentleman who built him told me "I am still a kid at heart". Aren't we all. I was excited at the thought of a snow.

Above Blisworth Tunnel.

A copper sculpture of a horse and cart, someone very kindly supplied the horse with a blanket. Paddy was keeping guard.

We are going to enjoy a pub lunch today, and make the most of this beautiful weather before probably moving tomorrow, so see you next weekend. Have a safe and peaceful week.

Claydon Locks to Stoke Bruerne

Monday 31st March.

The last day of March and yet another beautiful morning, we awoke to the birds singing. On mornings like this you realise that this is why you live the life you do, it was absolute bliss. Having done the usual Paddy walk, breakfast and a cup of tea we set off from our mooring at the top of Claydon Locks at 9.05am hoping to make the bottom of the Napton flight of locks by the end of the day. The sun was out and it was actually pleasantly warm. We made our way past the Wormleighton Reservoir and towards the Fenny Compton Tunnel which is no more, it now just a cutting, but there is only room for one boat through at a time. As there was a boat already coming through the cutting with another following on we held back and allowed them through, before we made our way through the thickly wooded cutting. Just as we came out of the cutting, we saw a boat in the distance, moving towards Tunnel Bridge (137), it was then things took a turn for the worst, we were already negotiating the bridge when the Napton hire boat, kept coming and showed no sign of slowing or reversing to allow us room to come through. Now you can guess what happened next, Yep we collided and became wedged together, us out of the bridge hole and them trying to get into it. It was like fitting a pint of milk into a half pint glass it was never going to happen. So with us now both stuck Keith tried everything possible to reverse us out of this tight squeeze, but Hadar was stuck fast where the hire boat had ridden up over our bow. Keith took the decision to call out British Waterways, as we were not going to get out ourselves and the hire boat was not powerful enough to try and move.
This happened at 10.20am, so kettle went on and whilst we waited for BW to turn up, other boats joined us and qued, 4 boats behind the hire boat and one hire boat behind us. Whilst we waited the other boaters all came to see what the fuss was about and took photos. We enjoyed a lovely conversation with a gentleman from Canada, who is over for 10 weeks on a boat, so we wish him a wonderful holiday, we also got to meet a couple off of a shared ownership boat, it was all very friendly, despite the inconvience to them all. At 12.25pm two BW guys arrived to see the situation, it was first thought that they would need a winch to get us apart, but that would take hours to arrive and with the traffic backing up something else had to be done, so the BW guys gathered some of the other willing boaters to stand on the gunwale of the hire boat and rock it, whilst Keith threw Hadar into full reverse, with much rocking we were free from the jaws of Monaco the hire boat and able to go on our way. I over heard a conversation between the hirer and another boater, with him saying. “I have still not got the hang of the speed of this boat, or it’s slowing down and stopping distance”. That kind of told me all I needed to know. Even one of the BW guys said “It is seriously dangerous, what they did”. There was no damage to Hadar, but I reckon we lift Monaco with something to remind her of us. We were on our way, but as we arrived at Fenny Compton Wharf we allowed the hire boat that had been behind us to pass, so they could continue with there holiday. Having let them go we then past them again as they moored up for water at The Wharf Inn. Whilst it was still dry, it had turned a little chilly, we new that we would not make Napton now in a reasonable time so decided to stop just before Br 129 after Wormleighton Hill, the time was 1.50pm.
Paddy and Marmite were allowed off of the boat for a play.

Marmite found this great fun, she and Paddy enjoyed running up and down the towpath together, usually Paddy playing chase, it certainly kept them amused for a couple of hours.

Marmite is a very confident cat, but is sometimes a little to brave for her own good, which I feel could get her into a lot of trouble if she is not careful. Still it is good for her to be able to enjoy the outdoors, we would like to feel that soon we can let her off on her own, and we will not have to supervise her all the time. Gosh I sound like a parent hahaha.
From the mooring we have a distant view of the Napton Windmill, it makes you realise just how far away it is and that we would of needed another 4 hours at least to make it. Later in the afternoon I heard a toot, toot from a boat horn so stuck my head out of the galley window to see Maffi pulling up alongside, he is on his way back to Banbury, having pulled in behind us we stood on the towpath as you do and had a nice natter, catching up on our adventures etc, before he headed off to Fenny Compton. See you in the summer no doubt Maffi.
So a fun day, well it was definitely different.

Tuesday 1st April.

At 7am it was blowing a gale and we could hear the rain splashing on the boats roof, so it did not bode well for an early start, so I got up and made a cup of tea which we sat in bed and drank as we discussed what we would do. Come 7.45am the sun was shining and the rain had gone, but there was still a breeze. We made the decision to go after breakfast and Paddy’s walk. So he being Paddy got a run out in the field, which Keith made preparations for our leaving? We set off from out picturesque mooring at 8.25am to a moderate breeze and headed for Napton. I had around four miles of scenery before I had the hard work of working the locks; the views are really beautiful and along with them come the farm animals, sheep and cows. We saw a sheep farmer carrying two newly born lambs into a barn and the mother toddling on behind him; no doubt he was taking them into the warm and out of the wind, which was now beginning to get up. The first lock of the day was at Marston Doles and with a further 8 to do it was going to be hard work as the wind was now getting strong. After I worked the locks I walked onto the next one and set that ready for Keith and the boat. We past by the Old engine house arm before reaching Napton Adkin’s Lock, where Blue Boar are doing some dredging work, and who should be driving one of the tugs, but our good friend Roy, so we gave him a wave as we entered the lock. We were now lucky enough to have boats coming up the flight so it made it easier for me as there would be no need for me to go ahead and set the locks. In the strong wind Keith had to hold Hadar in the locks until the other boats coming up were ready to enter the lock, as our sheeting was proving to be a sail, meaning Hadar was off on her own merry way. We progressed down to the bottom of the Napton flight and found a mooring near friends Sue and Vic on NB No Problem. Vick very kindly took the centre rope to help pull us in as the wind was doing its best to keep us out in the middle of the cut. Having moored up we went and enjoyed a coffee with Sue and Vic, catching up on boating news, before we returned to Hadar for lunch.
The afternoon was spent touching up paintwork; we also took a walk to The Folly Canal Shop, which is at the bottom of the Napton flight next door to The Folly Pub. The little shop has all provisions, newspapers, coal etc, if you do not fancy the walk into the village. It is a really useful shop if you run out of something, you can even order a newspaper if you ring 01926 812400, so it will be there when you arrive for the morning paper; now that is what I call service. It is so important to help canal side and canal based businesses I think. We always try to show our support by using them when we can. Sue and I took Paddy, Lucy and Meg for a run across the fields and back along the towpath, which they really enjoyed. Meg had a fantastic time pushing whimpy dog Paddy around; he is such a push over hahaha. It was wonderful catching up with Sue and Vic again and we look forward to seeing them again later in the year.

Wednesday 2nd April.

We were awake at 6.30am so a cup of tea was called for in bed of course, whilst we discussed what to do for the day. It was decided that we would head for the Norton Junction on the Grand Union, so at 8.55 we headed off towards Braunston Turn. We said our goodbyes to Sue and Vic, cruising around the base of Napton on the hill.

We had not gone far when we were asked for a bag of coal, which we happily unloaded from the hold and handed over; this gave a following boat the chance to pass us. Once we were underway again we past Napton Junction and the new Marina at Wigrams Turn. The scenery in this part of the country is truly stunning and for anyone in the local marina’s we can see why they have their moorings there, because to cruise out for the weekend you get to see such beauty. We pasted by Lower Shuckburgh a tiny village, the church was built in a Victorian way in1864, the village does not have any shops etc

Having reached the Braunston Turn we headed right and into Braunston. We were now back into the realms of the big locks and double gates.

So it was onward and upward through the Bottom Lock, but before negotiating the lock we saw Moore2Life out of the water at Braunston Boats having their bottom Blacked, well not Chas and Ann’s but the boats hahaha. Ann spotted us as she was walking along the towpath and we said our hello’s before heading up through lock 1, which has a lovely little shop next to it, where you can buy provisions and gifts. Heading towards the 2nd lock a boat was coming out of the lock allowing us to go in, that saved me some hard work yayyyyyy. We were all set to do lock 3, but as I walked up the towpath towards the lock, I spotted a familiar boat. NB Zoria, Ann and Doug’s boat. We have known Ann and Doug since meeting them in 2005 at the Preston Brook IWA National festival, and have kept in touch ever since. At this point we decided to pull in and moor up.

Having done so we sat and had lunch and a coffee with Ann and Doug, giving us the chance to catch up on all the news. It has been so wonderful to catch up with good friends. We spent the afternoon looking around before heading back to the boat. Keith took Paddy for his evening walk before we walked up to The Old Plough Inn for a meal with Ann, Doug, Paul and Merleen. We also met Paul and Merleen at Preston Brook, so this was the first time we had all been together since 05. Although we had kept in touch in the meantime. We all enjoyed Ham, Egg and Chips with a couple of drinks and an evening of catching up chatter. If you want a good meal in Braunston then go to The Old Plough, it is well worth the visit. It was late by the time we got back to the boat, so it was a quick coffee then bed.

Thursday 3rd April.

The weather forecasters had got it wrong again, they said it would be cloudy to begin with, with the sun coming out during the morning. We woke up to drizzly rain, overcast but it was mild. Anyway it mattered not as we set off at 9.15am leaving Ann and Doug at the mooring, although Doug did help us up through our first lock of the day, which was lock 3 in the Braunston flight. At lock 4 we were joined by hire boat Whooper Swan from Gayton Marina, they had ten onboard, and so lots of helpers to do the lock work yayyyyyy. It made life so much easier with me walking on ahead to set the next lock, leaving the youngsters from the hire boat to do the lock the boats were in. Two of the pounds were very low on water, but Keith made it through with Hadar ok. The drizzle was unrelenting; it did not dampen the spirits of any of us though.

We arrived at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yds) to see where there had been a landslide over winter, it is actually quite serious and will need a lot of work to sort it out, and Keith only just managed to get Hadar past the slide and into the tunnel. I took myself into the boat to make a coffee on the back stove whilst he enjoyed chugging along through the darkness.

We arrived at the other end and past Welton Wharf; where we began to slow down to allow the hire boat to catch us up. We made our way past Norton Junction and onto the next lock of the day, as we opened the lock gates, the hire boat joined us. It is always advisable to share double locks where ever possible to conserve on water. I realise it is not always possible, no one can wait around all day hoping a boat will join them, but in our case it was worth us waiting for the hire boat. As we reached the Buckby Flight we had a fly past by an Air Force refuelling plane flying low along the railways line that got the younger children on the hire boat very excited.

You really notice the contrasts in three totally different means of transport, what with the canal, railway and the roar of the M1. I know which mode of transport I prefer.
The weather was now improving with the sun trying its hardest to put in an appearance. Having left the hire boat behind as they moored up for a pub, we stopped at Nether Heyford to see the coal merchant Fred Tarry, his yard is on the side of the canal and we wanted to see if he would be our coal supplier. We enjoyed a nice chat with Richard in the yard and I bought 3 bags of coal to try on our back cabin stove as we are still trying to find a coal which suits it. We said our goodbye’s and made our way to Bugbrooke and a mooring for the night the sun was now well and truly out, giving us a lovely end to a pleasant day. After dinner we took a walk into the village of Bugbrooke, where they have a telephone box, hairdressers, and florists and more importantly to a boater a Londis for Provisions. It is a lovely little village with two pubs The Wharf Inn, and the Bakers Arms.

Friday 4th April.

We had a short day arranged, with a short cruise to Stoke Bruerne, but firstly Paddy needed his morning run and we did the usual breakfast and cup of tea thing, I also made up the boatman’s cabin fire with the house coal we bought yesterday to try, it is not smokeless, so gives off a yellow smoke. We shall see how it burns; the proof is in the testing. But at 9.15 am we were ready to set off on what was a beautiful morning, no wind, dull but very mild, so much so that I was in my shirt and waistcoat, my donkey jacket was left hanging in the engine room for a change.
There are some lovely views across Bugbrooke Downs. What we did notice where the amount of place to moor, which we have marked down in our book for future reference. At Gayton Junction we took on some water, and took the chance to clear the brass whilst the water tank filled up, before we headed off again, heading for Blisworth and the tunnel.

Blisworth is built around the old A43 and is built mainly of brown stone; it also has a 14the-C church. The Approach to Blisworth tunnel is through a heavily wooded cutting, it has a beauty all of its own.

We turned on the headlamp and set off into an already smokie tunnel which is 3057 yds long. It is the third longest canal tunnel open to navigation in Britain. As we passed through the tunnel and I sat in the engine room on the step, it made me think about how they used to leg their way through the tunnel and what it must have been like. At the South end of the tunnel there is still a legger’s hut, which must have been very welcome having legged the 3057yds in the damp and dark. It would be no good for me; my legs are not long enough hahaha. We arrived at the other end of the tunnel coming out into sunlight, as we crept into Stoke Bruerne we found ourselves a mooring opposite working boat Jubilee, who was laden down with her cargo of diesel, coal etc.

Moored behind us was the hotel boat Tranquil Rose http://www.tranquilrose.co.uk/ . It was now 12.10pm so time for lunch, but before I could enter the boat, we got chatting to Alan who runs the trip boat at the museum; he was a mind of information. We also got chatting to Stephen from the hotel boat and Mike from Jubilee. They take up to 9 passengers at a time and cruise the Thames and other wide rivers and canals. We finished cleaning all the brass on the boat and engine and I did a general cleaning of the engine room, before putting dinner in the boatman’s cabin stove. It has been a beautiful day with the sun out and lots of people passing the boat, having a natter as they pass. We will be staying here for the weekend, as the weather is forecast to be a bit rotten.