The weather was kind to us. Once again we met Bob Doyle - this time he was power washing the hull of NB Moriarty at the dry dock alongside the Bottom Lock.
Braunston
Steve with Ray Foster
At the Bottom Lock we were joined by NB Calypso. They had an experienced crew which helped us go up the flight efficiently, setting the locks ahead. It turned out that the owner of Calypso was putting her up for sale at Whilton Marina after boat owning for some 25 years. It was therefore no problem entering locks as a pair.
With NB Calypso Braunston Flight
Passing NB Rowan in Braunston Tunnel
The Eastern Portal of Braunston Tunnel
Having gone up the Braunston flight with Calypso we decided to stay with them down the Buckby flight. All went smoothly and we moored up for lunch at Whilton. As we had lunch we witnessed Richard Saillet getting into the canal to help fix the rudder of his boat. It appears a hirer had knocked the rudder stock out of the skeg and not let on when returning it. Richard noticed the problem when he saw that they had wrapped rope tightly around bottom of the tiller - presumably in an effort to keep the rudder under control. I gather it was quite cold in the water!
Mending a rudder by getting in the water!
Getting dark near Gayton
We moored up for the night at Stoke Bruerne at 8:30 and just managed to get into The Boat for last food orders.
Departing Stoke Bruerne
On Friday we went down the Stoke Flight with NB Glis Glis. They were very experienced having boated for around 35 years, picking up IWA Silver Shields as hirers along the way. They were on their way to The Tideway. However, the trip down the flight was slow because in front of us was a fibreglass broad beam boat with a novice crew who didn't set the locks ahead.
Ray Foster filling Stoke Bruerne Top Lock
With NB Glis Glis at Stoke Bruerne
We arrived "home" at Yardley Gobion and met Brian & Irene our neighbours on NB Rangitoto who had just arrived from Wellington, New Zealand. Good to see them and enjoy a chat.
