We awoke on Monday to find White Mills Marina shrouded in mist but with the rising sun visible it was obvious that the mist wasn't going to last.
Morning mist at White Mills Marina
Typical River Nene view
The very friendly staff at the marina said farewell and we headed towards Wellingborough. It became warm and sunny and we passed numerous dog walkers out for morning exercise as we approached Hardwater Mill.
Hardwater Mill
Doddington Lock
At Woolaston Lock we met a boater who was new to boating and was confused between the boxes that housed the electrical lock-operating equipment and thought that his Environment Agency (EA) navigation key would not fit the lock of the electrical control box. It turned out he was trying to open the switch-gear box.
We stopped at Wellingborough opposite Whitworths and shopped at the large Tesco for essential supplies. There were numerous swans along the embankment. Only a couple of boats were moored up.
Railway bridge at Wellingborough
Negotiating Higham Ferrers bridge
We headed for the EA moorings at Irthlingborough which we, along with many boaters, remember the site as the Rushden and Diamonds football club. When we last visited here 10 years ago the moorings had excellent facilities courtesy of the football club and that included free showers. Now there are no facilities - even the pump out and the water point, which are still in place and not working. The sad demise of the football club obviously had a knock on effect on boating facilitates The moorings were quiet with only one other boat present. A bit different from our last visit when we had to double up with another boat.
Visitor moorings at Irthlingborough
(ex- Rushden and Diamonds)
We watched the sun set over the nature reserve. Unfortunately, we failed to see any noteworthy wildlife, only the occasional lapwing.
