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.

Foxton to Weltonfield

Thu 10^th September  Foxton to Welford Junction Br 41

Moored at Foxton

Today had been forecast as the best day of the week, but it turned out to be cloudy, not the forecast sun. We spent some of the morning sorting out tax returns and the insurance claim for our home we rent out in Weybridge.

When we left, we had a pleasant cruise with Amanda steering some of the time. 

Amanda at the helm 

Husbands Bosworth Tunnel

Welford Junction 

We stopped after Welford Junction, but before the place where we had moored two days ago.  We met Whiff and Anne from Maris Otter, friends from Aylesbury.  They had been picking wild mushrooms, and they let us have some.

Whiff and Anne 

Moored near Welford Junction 

We saw Maid of Oak going quietly past, too late for a photo.

We had our life group Zoom meeting, while Amanda had another Zoom meeting in the bedroom.

0 locks, 8 miles.  Dep 1215, arr 1445

Fri 11^th September  Welford Junction Br 41 to Crick

We had been wanting to contact Jim and Jan, our friends at Yelvertoft, as we were cruising through their patch, but we thought it might be difficult for them in view of the pandemic. Also, we had Amanda on board who is shielding.   Then this morning we had an email from them!!! They were asking if we would record some worship songs for use in their church service. We replied to say we were in their area, and would they like to meet up. The timing was extraordinary, as we are not often on this bit of canal. We agreed to meet this evening.

We stopped by bridge 14, and James and Amanda climbed Cracks Hill. In the past we have always said “Maybe next time”. This time we finally did it. There is a beacon structure on the top, used for events like jubilees and royal weddings. There are views all round. 

Moored by Cracks Hill

The beacon

Yelvertoft Marina

Warehouses at DIRFT

A rural scene 

A buzzard

AS we moved on into Crick, we saw a late flowering purple loosestrife plant. We also passed Maris Otter and Vanguard moored up opposite the marina. We continued through the bridge where the towpath is wider. 

Purple Loosestrife

Maris Otter 

Vanguard 

Hazel and Amanda went off to the Co-op for a few bits that we needed. Jim and Jan came for a socially distanced meal. It was good to see them and catch up with their news.

Jim and Jan

0 locks, 10 miles. Dep 1010, arr 1330 Cracks Hill. Dep 1425, arr 1445.

Sat 12^th September  Crick to Welton Field Br 2

We made an early start by pushing the boat across to the water point. We emptied three cassettes and disposed of rubbish. Ray and Sharon (Vanguard) also appeared to do similar duties, as well as Whiff and Anne.

Ray and Sharon 

Maris Otter, Vanguard, and Gabriel

We set off through Crick Tunnel to Watford Locks. Several other boats arrived including our friends.  The volunteers had already started, even though the website says they don’t operate until 10am. 

Crick Tunnel

The M1 at Watford Locks

There were two boats coming up. Going down, there were two in front us, then Gabriel, Maris Otter, two others, and finally Vanguard. All seven were allowed down as no-one was at that time waiting at the bottom. It seemed odd to have Vanguard bringing up the rear!

The lock queue

Into the top lock

Down the staircase

Bottom Lock 

There were several waiting by the time we reached the bottom lock, including BCF boat Reeve.  We continued until just after bridge 3, where we stopped and had lunch, using the dinette for a change (converted from Amanda’s bed!). Whiff and Anne went past.

Lunch stop

Whiff and Anne 

Lots of berries 

We moved on around the corner, and stopped again before Bridge 2, for easy access to Amanda’s car.  She departed in the direction of Poole, and we decided to stay put.

7 locks, 5 miles. Dep 0810, arr 0900 Locks. Dep 0930, 1025 bottom lock, arr 1100 Br 3. 10 mins to Br 2.

Next: the start of the journey down the Grand Union towards Aylesbury, via Weedon, Stoke Bruerne, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard and Marsworth.