One of the delights of the River Nene has been mooring up outside the Kings Head in Wadenhoe. We have had some happy times so on Thursday May 23rd we set off with the possible aim of mooring up at Wadenhoe. We had heard that the pub was closed for refurbishment but there was some talk of the moorings still being available. The weather was warm and sunny and we teamed up for the second day with NB Critical Point.
The reach at Woodford was spectacular in the glorious sunshine.
Woodford Church
We soon reached Denford where there are a couple of un-electrified guillotine-gated locks. They require a lot or work to operate so it was handy that we had two crews to share the load.
Manual guillotine lock
We negotiated Thrapston Bridge and went through Islip Lock and passed under the pedestrian bridge just downstream of the lock that for many years was a pinch-point for navigation but is now thankfully not a problem since they replaced it with one that has a much greater clearance.
Approach to Islip Mill and Lock
Islip Lock
Islip Footbridge
Both boats moored up for a late lunch just downstream of Islip and then headed off towards Wadenhoe. It wasn't long before we arrived at the delightful Titchmarsh Mill and Lock which is home to the Middle Nene Cruising Club - a great location for a mooring.
Titchmarsh Lock
On the approach to Wadenhoe we found a wild swimmer. This reach appears to be a popular location for swimmers who regularly meet in the Wadenhoe Village Hall Car Park.
Wild Swimmer at Wadenhoe
Wadenhoe Church
We did manage to moor up at the King's Head in the same spot that we used some years ago with NB Critical Point mooring close by. We joined a cruiser and another narrow boat that unfortunately deemed it acceptable to block the water point. The Village Hall was being used for the European Parliamentary Elections - not exactly busy with such a small electorate.
Mooring at the closed King's Head
We were visited by a security guard just after we moored up and he was happy for us to moor there. However, we later (on our return journey) saw more signs go up around the site and no boats tied up - it probably means that they have now decided not allow mooring. What a shame. Let's hope the King's Head gets quickly refurbished and opens again. The pub its location are a treasure and worth travelling some distance to get there.
During the evening a steam launch from Titchmarch came and turned by Wadenhoe Lock - a wonderful sight.
Steam Launch Sunbeam at Wadenhoe
It was a highly memorable day travelling through some idyllic river scenery with some glorious weather.
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