Weltonfield to Grafton Regis

Sun 13^th September  Weltonfield to Weedon

Moored near Bridge 2

We left our very pleasant mooring near Bridge 2, and cruised to Norton Junction where we turned left to the top of the Buckby Locks. We emptied a cassette, and disposed of rubbish. We passed Scruffy Fox, which was moored next to us in Aylesbury.

Norton Junction

Scruffy Fox

A boat was coming up in the lock, so James helped them through. By the time we were ready to go in, another boat had arrived and so we shared with Hollinhurst, with Keith in charge. He and his wife had another couple on board for a jolly.  It was a busy day, and there was a succession of boats coming up the flight, so we did not have to set any of the locks.

Sharing with Hollinhurst

The M1 runs alongside, so we decided to continue our journey to somewhere quieter. We stopped just before the bridge at Weedon, which shielded from the A5 by a new housing estate, and from the railway by a farm.

 

Proximity to the M1

Joules Fuels 

We had hoped to visit the Royal Ordnance Depot before we left Weedon. However, as went to visit Tesco for a few bits, we saw a sign with the opening times for the Visitor Centre. We had just missed it. We didn’t even realise there was a Visitor Centre. Something to do next time. There were two sets of opening times: before and after lockdown.

Ordnance depot opening times 

7 locks, 4 miles. Dep 1005, arr 1340.

Mon 14^th September  Weedon to Stoke Bruerne

Reflections at Weedon

The boat was wet with dew this morning as we set off to see Steve Furniss at Grand Union Narrowboats. He is going to paint the boat next spring, and fit new solar panels. We had a good chat about things, and we arranged to come back after the winter stoppages. The last one is Leighton Lock which reopens on Saturday 6^th March.

We left again, and cruised through Stowehill, Nether Heyford, and Bugbrooke.

High House Wharf, where we had our first

serious talk with a boat builder in 1996.

Water art

We passed our friends from Aylesbury on Maris Otter and Vanguard. We didn’t need to stop for facilities at Gayton Junction, so we continued through Blisworth and through the tunnel.

Every boater should have one of these

Gayton Junction

Blisworth warehouse

 

Blisworth Tunnel

 

Moored at Stoke Bruerne

We found a space near the woodland walk, and wandered down to see what was what. We found Mike who runs the trip boat, and Rob, the CRT volunteer we had met at Watford Locks. We later realised we had also met him at Yardley Gobion a few years ago, when he had been tending the churchyard. We also spotted Kathryn sitting at a table, so we had a chat. We went to the Boat Inn for an ice cream, before returning to the boat.

We had exciting news from our daughter Amanda, who had an interview in Poole today, and has got the job. Excellent!

We went to the Boat Inn for a pleasant meal with Kathryn in the evening.

The Boat Inn

0 locks, 11 miles, 1 tunnel. Dep 0945, arr 0955 boatyard. Dep 1030, arr 1405.

Tue 15^th September  Stoke Bruerne to Grafton Regis

There were a few boats moving early, but we weren’t in a position to join them for the locks. When we set off, we cruised to the locks, and waited for another boat while chatting to Kathryn. 

Cruising through Stoke Bruerne

 

Kathryn

After 20 minutes a boat called Amelia came in sight, so we shared locks. It was a single guy. The engine was causing Hazel to choke, so we were quite pleased when he said he was stopping in the long pound.

Sharing with Amelia

Into the second lock

Another boat, Little Dawn, was ready to set off, so we shared with them. Most of the locks were in our favour, as there were several boats coming up the flight. There was a single guy in front, so James helped him down, to speed up the process. He had bought his boat in Stratford, and was heading for London to live on it. How many times have we heard similar stories?

Sharing with Little Dawn

Further down

Changing places 

It was exceptionally hot for September (30 degrees), so we looked for a shady mooring, and stopped soon after Grafton Regis. The apples that are usually all over the ground here were mostly still up in the trees.

Apple trees

Moored near Grafton Regis 

7 locks, 3 miles. Dep 1030, arr 1035 top lock. Dep 1055, arr 1320 Grafton Regis.

Next: Continuing our journey back via Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard.