Wed
9th May Stoke Bruerne to Nether Heyford
We
shared the final two locks with a hire boat called Cotswold. They were
intending to stop for a coffee at the top, so they moored on the bollards,
while we went past Misty Morn and Ichthus and moored on the piling.
Kathryn
was just finishing adjusting the halyards on the flagpole, and we went into her
cottage for a drink in her basement kitchen. Among other snippets of
conversation she gave us a recommendation for a boat painter in Weedon. It will
be two years hence, but these guys have long waiting lists.
Having
said our goodbyes to Kathryn (until October, when we pass through again), we
said more goodbyes to Chris (Misty Morn),
who was delighted to learn that no wide boats are scheduled for the tunnel tomorrow
morning, as he wants to go through at 7.30am.
We made
our preparations for the tunnel, including wearing waterproof gear, and putting
our tunnel light in place in the flagpole socket in the bows. We set off ahead
of another boat that was coming up behind from the locks, but as we rounded a
corner, there was another boat turning in the winding hole, and he set off into
the tunnel in front of us. James didn’t
want to follow behind another boat, especially with another boat behind us, so
he pulled in to the side, and waved on the one behind, which was called Longships. We have seen him a few times
over the recent two or three days. So Longships went into the tunnel, and we
waited for about 7 minutes before going in ourselves.
Blisworth Tunnel
When we
were halfway through, we realised that we catching up with Longships, who appeared to be almost stationary, although the lack
of light plays tricks. We stopped for
another ten minutes, waiting for him to get away. We moved on when we realised that another
boat had come in behind us. This tunnel is usually a little wet, but today it
was very wet, with water cascading down from the ventilation shafts and leaking
through the brickwork. By the time we
emerged from the tunnel, we had caught up again with Longships. Just after
Blisworth village he beckoned us past.
Emerging
Blisworth
18 miles to Braunston
Arriving
at Gayton Junction, we turned right to use the facilities, but we saw that the
rubbish bins were overflowing, and the elsan point was closed off. Kathryn had
told us that someone had emptied used engine oil into the chemical toilet
disposal, and specialists had been called in to clean the system. There were also two more boats waiting, so we
abandoned the plan, and moved on further.
We
found Sacre Blurr moored up, but with
no-one aboard.
Sacre Blurr
Just
past the junction there is a good example of a turnover bridge, designed so
that towing horses don’t need to unhitch when the towpath crosses to the other
side of the canal.
Turnover bridge
Some interesting clouds today
We went
past Bugbrooke and moored at Nether Heyford, as far from the busy train line as
we could. We walked into the village,
which has lovely mellow stone and thatched buildings. We visited the butchers,
and the One-Stop store for some essential things and wandered back to the boat.
We put
up the hood as the wind was picking up and rain was forecast.
2
locks, 9 miles
Thu
10th May Nether Heyford to Long Buckby
This
morning started chilly and windy. Just
as we were about to leave, a boat came past. We let them go, as we had several stopping
places today and the first one was only a few minutes away. We saw Longships
just round the corner.
It used
to be called Spiderworx, but is now just a one-man operation. We met Colin
Dundas, and he showed us his workshop and the boat he was painting. First class workmanship, and a really high
gloss finish. Phil Speight was also there, the most well known traditional sign
writer around. We had never met him before, but we have seen his books and read
articles about him.
The
next stop was at Rugby Boats for some diesel, and while we were there, Tony
went by on Euston 73, from Aylesbury.
Then on
to Weedon, where we stopped again and found Steve, a boat painter recommended
by Kathryn. His results looked tougher and more durable. We have to decide soon
to ensure a place on his waiting list.
We
paused again at Whilton Locks, where we met up with Tim on Willowbrook. He was waiting for Hilary to return by bus train and
taxi from Aylesbury. We said we would
wait also, and we could share the Buckby locks together.
We
moored at Long Buckby, with one lock left to do tomorrow. The weather had changed from cold and windy
to warm and pleasant. We sat out in the
sunshine with wines and nibbles (as you do).
Hugo wanted to join us, but when he discovered that Tim and Hilary’s
spaniel was included in the group, he changed his mind and ran back to the
boat.
6
locks, 6 miles
Fri
11th May Long Buckby to Braunston
We had
agreed a departure time of 9am with Tim and Hilary, and we set off through the
final lock of the Buckby flight. It was a lot cooler.
At the
top, Willowbrook needed water, and we emptied two cassettes and our rubbish. We disappointed to see the following signs
No recycling
Nearest recycling centre
These
facilities are meant to be for boaters. What boater is going to walk 4.6 miles
to dispose of their recycling? Sadly our carefully separated sackful joined the
rest of the rubbish. There have been no recycling facilities for boaters since
we left Aylesbury.
We
moved on past Norton Junction, where a branch leads off to the right to
Leicester and the River Soar.
Norton Junction
Just
past the next bridge (Bridge 10) there used to be our favourite mooring in this
area. There were mooring rings, and a
lovely view, and we were beyond the noise of the M1, the A5 and the railway.
For several years now the bank has been deteriorating, and there is orange
plastic netting to keep boats away, so we can’t moor there.
Orange netting
The view opposite
We continued on for two miles to Braunston Tunnel. Thankfully this one is dry, but there is a
kink in the middle where the builders had started from both ends and didn’t
quite line up accurately at the join.
Today we met no boats so we made good time.
Braunston Tunnel
Leaving the tunnel
As we left, there was a boat coming the other way, and
they met Willowbrook who were still in the tunnel. The Braunston locks were busy to start with,
with boats coming up towards us as we went down. The final three locks we had to fill.
Sharing Braunston Locks with Willowbrook
Lock 3
As we
cruised gently through Braunston we discovered that almost all of the visitor
moorings were full. We went past the
Stophouse, and under the A45 before we found somewhere. The mooring rings were
badly spaced so we ended up with ropes at strange angles to keep us secure.
Moored in Braunston
Close to the A45
Mark
drove up from Aylesbury to find us, with some documents for us to sign. Just
after he left, Jan and John Halford arrived on Jubilee and moored some way further on. They came on board Gabriel for tea before we all went across to the Boathouse pub for
a meal. John and Gillian Speight joined us and it was good to get to know them
a little better. They have a new boat called Faithful, moored in a new marina
on the North Oxford Canal. We will pass it on Monday.
John and Jan on board Gabriel
The BCF gathering at the Boathouse (Borrowed from
Jubilee’s blog)
L-R Hazel, James, Gill Speight, John Halford, Jan Halford, John Speight
7
locks, 5 miles.
Next: Breakfast at the Gongoozlers rest with Time
and Hilary, Church at All Saints, Braunston on Sunday, then a cruise up the
North Oxford through Rugby to the Coventry Canal
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