Weedon to Blisworth and Stoke Bruerne

Thu 11th Oct  Weedon to Bugbrooke

Moored in Weedon

It was very breezy today as we left our mooring in Weedon and cruised  past the workshop where our boat will be painted in 2021.  Steve gave is a wave as we passed.

Steve Furniss – boat painter

We had no need to stop at Stowehill Wharf for diesel as we had filled up at Calcutt. The price was the same – 83p.  We thought we should get some coal in case the weather turned cold, so we bought two bags at Bridge 32

Coal stop

At furnace Wharf we saw Fox boat Bedford, still under wraps as it has been for several years.  There also a dog looking very relaxed.

Fox boat Bedford

Comfortable dog

The badger sett near Bugbrooke looked very active. One day we will stop here and actually see them.

Bugbrooke badgers

Sunset near Bugbrooke

We stopped just after Heyford Fields Marina, where we were not under trees, as strong winds are forecast.  There is also a handy footpath to a bus stop here.

Hugo brought in a small mouse, and James rescued it.

Five minutes later Hugo had a larger one, which was not so fortunate.

0 locks, 4 miles, 2 mice

Fri 12th Oct  Bugbrooke (and Northampton)

With wet and windy weather forecast, we decided not to move the boat. Instead, we took a bus (D3) into Northampton for the day.

Hazel successfully bought a new cardigan, and we bought a few other bits. We stopped at a noodle bar for lunch, which was very nice.

Then we visited the Council offices to ask about open air music performance rules and venues. We didn’t get a sensible answer – just a very long form to complete. There is likely to be a BCF mission here next year, hence the question. The dates are still to be finalised.

Northampton Council Offices

We also found a pub that might make a good gig venue – the Mail Coach. We are not involved with organising the mission, but we have arranged our own gigs for the last two years, so we took the opportunity to do some research.  Later we saw online that the Malt Shovel might also be a good location.

The Mail Coach

We went to Morrisons for a few items, returning via All Saints Church, which looks lively and has a cafe, and overlooks a large square.

All Saints Church

We took the bus back to Blisworth and walked across the field again, back to the boat. Storm Callum had arrived, and there was a lot of wind. We moved loose items off the roof.

No boating today

Sat 13th Oct  Bugbrooke to Blisworth

Moored near Bugbrooke

It had been windy and wet overnight, and there had been a lot of noisy banging from a shed nearby which had a loose corrugated iron roof, flapping in the wind.

The rattling shed

Heavy skies

A wet morning near Bugbrooke

Then the weather changed, and we had bright sunshine by 10am.  It was still breezy but the wind was warm

As we cruised towards Gayton Junction, we spotted a good sized terrapin sunning itself.

Terrapin

Turnover Bridge 47

At Gayton Junction two boats had just arrived at the facilities before us, so we waited opposite until they had finished.  After we had been there for half an hour, another boat arrived from the Nene, and said they were desperate for the facilities, but then, realising there was a queue, they carried on out of sight.  Obviously not that desperate!.

Waiting to use facilities at Gayton Junction

When we had emptied and filled various things, we moved on a short way, and moored at Blisworth for church in the morning.  The moorings here are by the backs of houses and gardens, and there was only one space available.

Moored in Blisworth

Hazel had started a very heavy cold, and James went to the shop for some suitable remedy. He noticed that the Anglican Church was open, so he went inside, and discovered that an art exhibition was taking place. This church is confusingly called the church of St John the Baptist, Blisworth, as opposed to Blisworth Baptist Church.

St John the Baptist Church in Blisworth

Armed with milk and flu pills from the small shop there, he returned to the boat.

0 locks, 4 miles.

Sun 14th Oct  Blisworth to Stoke Bruerne

Hazel was a lot better this morning, but yesterday’s sunshine had been replaced by heavy rain today, so we took umbrellas as we walked up the hill to the village.

We went to the Baptist Church for the 1045 service, where we had a good welcome from a friendly bunch of people.  We discovered that Peter Atwill had preached here in the past.  The worship was led by a man on the organ for some songs, and a guy on guitar for others. There was also a very musical family group who sang a song and played a tune later on recorders.  The sermon was about thankfulness, using the example of the ten lepers, when only one returned to thank Jesus for his healing.

Blisworth Baptist Church

Inside

The musical family

We went for lunch at the Royal Oak just round the corner.  We had booked a table, but no-one else was eating when we arrived, although there were several locals enjoying a drink.  Another couple came to eat a little later. The food was very nice.

The shop was closed when we emerged. We hadn’t checked the opening hours. We walked back down the hill to the boat and set off during a lull in the rain.

The Mill at Blisworth

Cruising in the wet

When we entered Blisworth Tunnel, we put down the canopy in case it connected with the roof.  A boat came in 5 minutes behind us, and had  three headlights on, which lit up the whole tunnel, dazzling us from behind.  We put on some extra speed, and soon put some distance between the two boats.  We were nearly at the end of the tunnel when a warning buzzer sounded.  The engine had overheated. We slackened off for a minute or two, and the warning stopped.

Looking back at Blisworth Tunnel

We moored up just before the village. The other boat did not appear, so either they turned round in the winding hole and went back, or they moored up just after the tunnel.  There are new mooring rings all along here.

Moored in Stoke Bruerne

0 locks, 3 miles

Next: down the Stoke Bruerne Locks and round Milton Keynes to Leighton Buzzard for next Sunday.