Braunston to Blisworth

Thu 15^th Sep  Braunston to Norton Junction

We decided not to hike up the hill to the butchers and the shop, as we had enough provisions. Several boats went past before we set off, so we were fairly sure of being able to share the locks with another boat.

As we were about to leave, Noggin went past, so we followed on behind. Sure enough, we were able to share Lock 1 with Noggin. However, a boat had just gone up on his own, which was silly as there is still a water shortage. There was a CRT volunteer at the lock, who should have ensured each lock was being shared.

Approaching the locks at Braunston

Sharing Lock 1 with Noggin

The single boat waited at lock 2, so Noggin shared with him, leaving us by ourselves. Another two boats came up through Lock 1 behind us, so we shared with a hire boat. Presumably, that pattern remained until there were no more boats to come up.

Sharing lock 3 with a hire boat

The rest of the flight was straightforward for us, although a single boat came down, followed by two boats who wanted to share with each other, followed by another single boat.

At the top, there were nine boats waiting to come down. Apparently there had been a problem with Lock 4 this morning, and this was the backlog. All the more reason for every lock to be fully occupied!

Top Lock

Lock queue

We plugged in our tunnel light and went through Braunston Tunnel. We met one boat, who had two tunnel lights blazing ahead of him, so it dazzled oncoming boats like us. We asked him to point the lights at the ceiling, like most people do.

Braunston Tunnel

Leaving the tunnel

We moved on to our intended mooring, just before Bridge 10. We were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Moored near Norton Junction

Evening sky

Sunset

6 locks, 4 miles, 1 tunnel.

Fri 16^th Sep  Norton Junction to Nether Heyford

Open views from our mooring near Norton Junction

Red Kite

We were hoping to share locks with someone today. We left our mooring and went through Bridge 10 past Norton Junction and the Leicester section, heading for Buckby Locks.

Norton Junction

Signpost

As we approached the top lock, we saw that there was a boat already in there, waiting to share. We joined them, and James went to empty a cassette. He found a notice to say that the elsan was out of order, but he had received an email yesterday to say that it had been sorted out. It seemed OK, so he emptied the cassette anyway.

We shared the locks with Who’d a Thought It, a pleasant couple named Ian and Trish. Many of the locks needed to be filled, and when we came to lock 11, we found there was a queue, as the lock had a paddle out of action, and took ages to empty.

Locking down with Who’d a Thought It

Lock queue

Nearly there

Bottom Lock

We moored below the lock and went to the café for lunch. We also bought some deck paint in the marina. We moved on as the moorings here are noisy from the M1.

Moored for the café

Whilton Marina

There are some lovely canal sections here, spoilt by the noisy road which is only a few yards away through the bushes at one point.

Old bridge

New bridge

We didn’t stop at Weedon, but were interested to see that the houses we had seen under construction earlier were now occupied.

New houses now occupied

Same estate in June

The railway disappears into a tunnel at Stowehill, near the Narrow Boat pub, which we have never visited.

Railway tunnel

Narrow Boat

Diesel price at Rugby Boats

We moored at Nether Heyford, where the canal edge is an iron girder, resembling a piece of old railway track. Thankfully, someone has managed to put in some bits of heavy duty string to tie to. We had another lovely sunset.

Moored at Nether Heyford

Sunset at Nether Heyford

Art (guess what this is)

7 locks, 6 miles. Dep 1000 arr 1305 Whilton. Dep 1440 arr 1635 Nether Heyford.

Sat 17^th Sep  Nether Heyford to Blisworth

We walked across a field and down the road to Nether Heyford, where there is a One Stop. The butchers nearby also have a reasonable selection of fresh vegetables.

Back to the boat, and we set off. Sadly, it looked as though the Bridge 32 diesel and coal stop had closed down.

Heyford Fields Marina

The turnover bridge near Gayton Junction

We paused for the facilities at Gayton Junction, but we didn’t need water, so we moved on quickly. We moored in Blisworth, and took the last space.

Gayton Junction

Moored in Blisworth

0 locks,  miles. Dep 1020, arr 1245

Sun 18^th Sep  Blisworth

We visited Blisworth Baptist Church, where we were privileged to witness the induction of the new pastor. The service was two hours long, so we were anxious about the reservation we had made at the Royal Oak for lunch, but it all worked out.

Blisworth Baptist Church

Interior, with ornate organ

Induction of new pastor

At the Royal Oak, we had a Sunday roast, and discovered that there was to be an open mic event today at 5pm. James returned to take part, and sang Autumn song, Gossip Calypso, Low Bridge, Dorset Juggernaut and Long Way Down.  Many of the people were there for drinks and meals, rather than the music, so we were singing to just a few faithful people near us. There were three other acts. Mac and Woods were good. She played an air synthesizer.

Mac and Woods at the open mic

No boating today

Next: following the royal events as the nation says farewell to Her Majesty. Then moving down through Stoke Bruerne towards Milton Keynes.