Crick

This morning the hills around the Marina basin were shrouded in mist, the wind turbine on the top of the hill, completely obscured from view. Today we would leave Yelvertoft for the summer, there were a few jobs to finalise before setting off. The crew returned to the boat around lunchtime, so after a bite to eat, we manoeuvred from our berth onto the service dock. A little after two o'clock we were underway. Turning left this time from the Marina entrance, we could just about feel the sun starting to break through. We rounded Cracks Hill, a regular walking route, and passed Crick Marina, famous for its annual boat show. The moorings restaurant appeared shut, and then we could see the gapping mouth of Crick Tunnel ahead. In the distance within the tunnel, was the telltale tunnel light of an approaching boat. As we entered the northern portal, we got a thorough drenching from the constantly leaking roof, passing the boat we had seen on our approach. There would be a further two boats to encounter, during our transit of the tunnel. Our intended spot was just prior to bridge 9, about half a mile from the tunnel southern portal. It is always a gamble as to whether your favourite spot, is also someone else's, but today we rounded the bend, and saw it was vacant. We have used this spot before, so we know it is good for the satellite and phone signals. As we secured the boat, the sun finally won its battle with the mist, and now we are in a great rural location, settled for the remainder of the afternoon.

As the photos show this is a great mooring, which is why as I write this another boat has pulled in just beyond the bridge. We are now just half a mile from the top of Watford locks, which we will descend tomorrow as we head for the far side of Braunston.

• Totals 4 Miles 1 Tunnel
• Running total 29 Miles 2 Locks 1 Tunnel

Yelvertoft

We departed Norton Junction at about 9.30 this morning heading towards the Watford lock flight. As we approached it became apparent there was a queue, and we were number three. There was also one more boat in the flight going up, and three more on their way down which we would need to wait for. Still, at least it was warm and sunny. About an hour later we were on our way up. The flight was manned by volunteers, who helped with our progression through the central staircase section. We had been close to the M1 for a while, but once through the top lock, we passed beneath the motorway and soon left the noise behind us. Although we'd had a bit of a wait, it is nothing like the wait people will have in a couple of weeks time, when all the Crick Boat Show traffic is on the move. It is one of the reasons we have returned to the summit level a tad early. Then it was Crick tunnel, wet as usual, but not as bad as it has been previously. Passing Crick Marina we were soon on familiar water, rounding Cracks Hill and Yelvertoft. We passed our winter home, noting our usual berth is currently empty, and then stopped for water by bridge 19. Whilst waiting we had a bite to eat, then it was on again, about half a mile to our intended mooring spot. 

       

                                                          Mooring by bridge 20.

We don't have any hard and fast plans now until the Crick Boat Show, so will spend a few days here and there on the summit level, before returning to Yelvertoft Marina.

Totals 7 Miles 7 Locks 1 Tunnel

Running total 101 Miles 68 Locks 5 Tunnels