Halloween Pumpkin
At home we had prepared a pumpkin (with two cat faces) and so
were Halloween-ready! At Stoke Locks we met hire boat returning to Weedon so we
paired up for the first lock. We then found another boat above the lock waiting
to go up. After some adjustments we waited and went up the flight with a UCC hire boat
from Braunston with a group of scouts from Essex. They were very helpful and made
a good locking team. They stopped in Stoke and we carried on through Blisworth
Tunnel finally stopped for the night at Bugbrooke, opposite The Wharf Inn,
even though it was only 4:30 – it gets dark early these days. We just had to go into the
pub for meal and drink.
Bloggers Derwent 6 moored at Heyford
Friday, the first day of November, was wet and windy.
Overnight a plethora of leaves had landed on Albert’s roof. Passing through
Heyford we found bloggers Derwent 6 moored up. At Furnace Wharf we disturbed a
kingfisher who scurried along in front of us.
At Buckby bottom lock we dropped in to Whilton Marina café
and had some delicious soup for lunch. A steady stream of customers came in
while were there. Obviously a popular local venue.
Going up the Long Buckby Flight we met a few boats coming
down which helped, but the lock mechanisms are so stiff the flight is never a
pleasure.
We turned off up the Leicester Branch and moored up for the night near
Weltonfield.
