Nether Heyford

After breakfast we set off from Stoke Bruerne. The day was already warming up as we approached the locks. Fortunately the crew only had two to do today. We got logged by the CRT, I suspect Stoke Bruerne, as a tourist hotspot is frequently checked, to ensure time limit compliance. Approaching the top lock a huge willow tree hangs over the canal. It won't be long before it obscures the view completely.

       

Once through the locks it was a short hop to the entrance of Blisworth Tunnel. As previously stated, it is arrow straight and we could see the light of the portal at the further end. There were no oncoming boats. This situation lasted until we were about 200 yards from the exit, when three boats entered in close succession. Unfortunately for us, boats one and two could not steer straight, and both hit us hard. We heard the clattering of glass or chinaware, and the second boat lost a windlass from its roof. No damage to us, just a few more scuff marks to our blacking. Once out of the tunnel, we had about five miles of cruising through the countryside in glorious sunshine to enjoy. We found our chosen mooring spot empty on arrival, so we quickly secured the boat then went for a walk towards Stowehill and The Narrowboat P.H. The weather was perfect for lunch in the garden overlooking the canal.

       

Our plan is to remain here a few days and to review the Sunday roast provided by The Narrowboat P.H. Once back at the boat the afternoon spent lazing about on the towpath in the sun. 

Totals 8 Miles 2 Locks 1 Tunnel

Running total 89 Miles 54 Locks 4 Tunnels

Stoke Bruerne

We are now back in the pound below the Navigation Inn at Stoke Bruerne. We expect to stay here only a couple of days, although we are allowed up to seven in this spot. Leaving Cosgrove this morning the sun was doing its best to shine through some light cloud, but the forecast heatwave is yet to arrive. After ascending the lock at Cosgrove, we had a pleasant six mile cruise through the countryside, picking out some nice rural mooring spots for future reference. During the last mile before the Stoke Bruerne flight, we caught up with a CRT ( Canal and River Trust ) dredger which was weaving along. Square shaped with a large digger bucket on the front, they don't look the easiest things to steer in a straight line. Fortunately we needed a tank full of water so we stopped at the base of the lock flight to fill up. The CRT crew asked if we were going up, to which we replied "yes, in about 40 minutes". They didn't want to wait. We had lunch whilst waiting, then it was on up five of the seven locks. Tonight a visit to the Spice of Bruerne is on the cards for a takeaway curry. Tomorrow the weather is reported to be glorious, so a day of gongoozerling, ( boat watching ) whilst sitting outside one of the pubs will probably be the order of the day.

So far on our travels this year we have seen numerous ducklings and today we saw our first batch of goslings, just the cygnets to go.

       

                                                Our first batch of goslings this year.

Totals 6 Miles 6 Locks

Running total 81 Miles 52 Locks 3 Tunnels

Cosgrove

Yesterday we departed Stoke Bruerne having enjoyed its hospitality for the past few days. This culminated on Sunday with a three course roast dinner in the Woodwards restaurant above the Boat Inn. Although the weather was dry there was a cold wind blowing, but even so, as we descended the remaining five locks of the Stoke Bruerne flight, the crew removed their jacket with all the hard work needed. We met a few boats coming up, one being nb Ferndale, who informed us they read our ramblings. Once at the foot of the flight we pulled onto the service point for water. We had a bit of time to wait, so I cleared the roof of all its items and gave it its first ever wash, the roof that is. At the conclusion of our chores we set off again aiming for the village of Cosgrove. On route, we noted a number of good rural moorings in the vicinity of several villages, namely Grafton Regis and Yardley Gobion. Approaching Cosgrove we passed by the Navigation Inn at Thrupp Wharf, one for the future, then beneath a splendid Gothic style stone bridge. We continued and descended the single lock, then took up a mooring on a long straight section of the canal prior to the Great Ouse Aquaduct. Cosgrove must be a popular spot as it seems we are time limited here to a maximum 14 days in any year.

       

Today the weather was totally different, blue skies and warm sunshine. It appears as if the weather is forecast to remain fine for the next few days. This is good news as our solar panel is now providing upwards of 100 amp hrs per day, which equates to about two thirds of our daily electrical usage. After the winter months it's nice to have a spring clean, so this morning following breakfast, it was the turn of the well deck to be emptied of kit and washed.

Soon it was lunchtime and we set off in search of the Barley Mow P.H. The pub is dog friendly so Oscar came too. The route was well signposted including directions through the ' horse tunnel ' beneath the canal.

       

       

They must have used short horses in the day, as I nearly bumped my head in the centre as we walked through. After lunch we walked back to the boat via the very large Cosgrove holiday park. There is a handy grocery shop here that the crew informed me was well stocked. I had to wait outside for my ice cream, as the four legged member was not welcome inside. Then it was back to the boat. I had not taken a picture of our mooring so out came the camera, only to be photo bombed by a duck.

       

Needing to stretch our legs a bit more we carried on walking in the direction of Wolverton. This took us over the oldest wide beam iron Aquaduct, which crosses the river Great Ouse. Prior to its building a series of locks down, and then back up the other side was the method of crossing the river.

       

       

On our way back, viewing through the trees we could see the expanse of the holiday park surrounded by a number of large lakes.

       

We will probably stay put another day before moving on, we don't want to use up our entire year worth of allowed time in one visit in case we want, or need to stop on the way back.

Totals 6 Miles 6 Locks

Running total 47 Miles 40 Locks 3 Tunnels ( not including the twice through the horse tunnel ).

Stoke Bruerne day 2

At 0930 this morning we set off for the top lock. A boat had just passed us and we would join them for the long journey that lay ahead, ( 2 locks and about 400 yards ). 

       

                                                      Approaching the top lock.

       

                                 Waiting in the pound with the Navigation Inn in the background.

Once through the second lock we said goodbye to our locking partners as they headed off towards the remainder of the flight, and their eventual destination in London. The mooring in this pound is restricted to 7 days and is fairly shallow in places, but we managed to find a spot where we could get in, and also line up the satellite dish. We plan to stay here now until after the weekend. For lunch we visited the Boat Inn above the top lock, and then after we walked back towards the Blisworth Tunnel. The huts by the entrance are now put to use by a blacksmith, and also an artist creating stained glass items. We also spotted a novel use for any old shipping containers lying around......turn them into boats.

       

It was then back to the boat before the forecast rain arrived, and to work out our itinerary for the next few days.

       

                                           Our new mooring at Stoke Bruerne.

Totals 400 Yards 2 Locks 

Running total 41 Miles 34 Locks 3 Tunnels

Stoke Bruerne

We had not planned to move today, but having finished breakfast at 1045 hrs, the sun was shining and the day was shaping up to be glorious. Initially we would aim for Blisworth but our plans changed. Soon after setting off, the canal wiggled its way back towards the railway line, which then stayed with us until we reached Gayton Junction six miles further on. We needed diesel and a pump out so we turned left at the junction in order to visit Gayton Marina. After settling the bill we took the opportunity to fill the water tank, which in turn gave us time to have lunch.

       

                                                   Gayton Marina services dock.

We continued along the Northampton Arm of the G.U. until we reached the winding hole at the top of the locks. This flight consists of 17 narrow locks, leading all the way to Northampton town centre some four miles away. At the terminus of the canal, navigation continues on the river Nene, pronounced 'Nen or Neen' depending on where you come from. This river eventually takes you to The Wash and the North Sea.

       

                         Top of the flight with Northampton retail park in the distance to the left.

We are currently not equipped for rivers, so we winded here, saving this route for another year. It was then back along the arm to Gayton Junction, turning left to continue our journey south.

       

                                                           Gayton Junction.

       

                                      Junction Milepost, London only 77 miles away.

After rejoining the G.U. mainline we said goodbye to the railway, and in no time were approaching our intended mooring location of Blisworth. It seemed however that Blisworth, had suffered some recent heavy rain as the towpaths looked like a quagmire. The four legged crew member is not very good at wiping his feet so we decided to press on.

       

                          Travelling through Blisworth. Former warehouses now luxury flats.

Soon we were entering the 3057 yards Blisworth Tunnel. This tunnel is the third longest navigable tunnel in the country. As we entered the north portal we could see the south portal ahead. This tunnel unlike some we have been through is arrow straight. We could also see that we had no oncoming traffic and so our passage only took approx 30 minutes.

       

                                        Approaching the northern portal of Blisworth Tunnel.

The tunnel was fairly wet as we passed through especially in the area of the ventilation shafts, and at various point drainage channels were allowing water to pour in through the brickwork. The centre section of the tunnel was the subject of a massive restoration project in the late 70's early 80's and is now lined in concrete. As we exited the southern portal there is a plaque to commemorate its reopening in 1984.

       

    

       

At each end of the tunnel is a hut originally used by the leggers, men who lay on a planks and walked the boats through, whilst the horses used to pull the boats nipped over the top. Thankfully for the crew, 43 horses of diesel power now does the job.

We arrived at the famous canal village of Stoke Bruerne and found a mooring a hundred yards or so from the top lock. We are time restricted here to 48 hours, but will probably move down two locks of the flight tomorrow to the 7 day section. There are several pubs and an Indian restaurant here, all of which I am sure will benefit from our custom over the next few days.

       

                                              Our mooring at a busy Stoke Bruerne.

Totals 9 Miles 1 Tunnel

Running total 41 Miles 32 Locks 3 Tunnels