Voyages of Gabriel: Norton Junction to Foxton

Mon 7^th September Norton Junction to Crick

We stayed on our mooring by Bridge 10 while we waited for Amanda’s call with her ETA. When we set off to meet her, we were faced with hire boat Rachel reversing under Bridge 10, as they had missed their turn into the Leicester Arm.

Rachel missing the turn

We stopped opposite Weltonfield Marina just as Amanda drove over the canal bridge to park. We had arranged car parking for her for a week while we went up the Leicester Arm and back.

Moored briefly opposite Weltonfield Marina

We had a long wait at Watford Locks – four were going up, then two came down, then we were second out of three going up. There are two single locks at the bottom, followed by a staircase of four, and then a single lock at the top. We met Rob (CRT) who knows Kathryn at Stoke Bruerne, as he also volunteers on historic narrowboat Scorpio.

Awaiting our turn

Watford Locks

We emptied two cassettes and disposed of rubbish at the top lock.

There are some lovely moorings further on, spoilt by the noise of the M1, so we continued through Crick Tunnel, and moored opposite the marina.

Crick Tunnel

7 locks, 5 miles, 1 tunnel. Dep 1415, arr 1435 Weltonfield. Dep 1505, arr 1840

Tue 8^th September Crick to Bridge 38/39 Sybolds Spinney

We walked up through the village to the Co-op for some supplies, as there are very few shops between here and Foxton.

When we finally set off, we passed Cracks Hill, which we hope to climb on the way back.

Cracks Hill

Progress was slow as we followed a slow boat, and there were lots of moored boats to pass. We cruised under the busy A14, the only road of significance to disturb the rural scene.

Following a slow boat

Under the A14

Many of the moorings were full, but we spotted a space and stopped between bridges 38 and 39. We had some hot cross buns.

Later, farm machinery started making a lot of noise and dust, and the boat behind us moved off. We moved back to their space, which had a wide area ideal for barbecuing. Thankfully, the dust was not blowing in our direction. There were several buzzards circling over the harvesting team, presumably to catch escaping creatures such as voles.

Barbecue

Amanda Hazel James

Harvesting

Buzzards

0 locks, 9 miles. Dep 1150, arr 1510

Wed 9^th September Sybolds Spinney to Foxton

Soon after we set off, we came to Welford Junction, and we saw two people on a boat coming slowly out of the Welford Arm. They stopped in the middle, and tried to turn to face the way we had come, but they made a mess of it. Then they turned fully round to face down the Welford Arm again. They beckoned us past, and then appeared to face towards Crick again. We never worked out where they wanted to go.

Boat dithering at Welford Junction

We called in at the new North Kilby Marina to empty a cassette. It was a large place with choices of channels, so we headed for the largest building we could see, and managed to do what was necessary.

North Kilby Marina for sanitary station

Husbands Bosworth Tunnel

We met Biddlestone (Elizabeth and Edward) on their way back from Foxton. We had shared Braunston Locks with them a few days ago. We also saw a kingfisher flying very close with a fish in its beak.

We turned the boat just before Foxton Locks, and moored next to the bronze horse statue, where James’ cousin Anabel was waiting for us with her dog Woody. We went to look at the locks, and we had lunch at the Foxton Locks Inn.

Amanda, Hazel, Anabel

Anabel then left us, and we had a look at the inclined plane before returning to the boat. A lady asked about Canal Ministries and BCF, so we gave her some leaflets.