Narrow Boat Albert: Fotheringhay

Fotheringhay

On Friday 24th may we parted company with our travelling companions for the last two days (NB Critical Point). They were intending to put some miles behind them as they headed for the Middle Level. In contrast our intention was a short journey to some moorings we had used before at Ashton which is close to Oundle. The moorings were in the latest copy of Pearson (2018) so we were confident of a finding a suitable mooring.

Once again the weather was warm and sunny with a gentle breeze that was moving the barley crops. The trip down to Oundle was idyllic with few other boats on the move.

Lilford Bridge

Lilford Hall

The magnificent Lilford Hall could be seen through the trees and we were soon travelling over the Oundle School Rowing course which has marker posts every 500 m.

Oundle School Rowing Club Stage

We took on water at Upper Barnwell Lock by the mill which is sadly no longer being operated as restaurant. and then after Lower Barnwell Lock we took the long loop around Oundle towards Ashton.

Barnwell Mill

Ancient "Graffiti" on Barnwell Mill

The spire of the church at Oundle is visible for ages and because of the meandering river it appears in unexpected directions - a bit like the radio tower at Worleighton on the Oxford Canal. We reached our anticipated moorings by mid afternoon with the plan of walking across the field to spend the rest of the day in Oundle. Our plans were not to be because the moorings along the feeder channel to Ashton Mill were closed and tree felling was in operation. Some large unfriendly signs greeted us. Chatting to a man in a 4 x 4 visiting the site it appears the bank needs stabilising.

Closed moorings at Ashton

With this set back we had no alternative to head on towards Fotheringhay where we were more certain of finding a home for the night.

St Andrew's Church, Cottersock

Racing Pigeon at Perio Lock

At Perio Lock we found a forlorn racing pigeon, complete with rings on both legs that was obviously thirsty. It kept lookingh down into the lock at the water. We tried unsuccessfully to provide it with water from a bowl.

Fotheringhay Bridge

We finally reached Fotheringhay just before 4:00 PM and moored up just above the bridge and below the magnificent church. Chatting to the farmer as we paid our mooring fees, it appears that the magnificent vane on the top of the church spire has only just been restored. Its gilding was glinting brightly in the the afternoon sun. there cannot be many finer mooring spots than this.