The Essence of Boating ?

Maggie and I attended a funeral service today for our friend Chris Allin who, apart from being a gifted musician, also lived for many years with his partner Maggie aboard his narrowboat Mr Blue Skies outside The Navigation at Thrupp Wharf, near Cosgrove. Some may remember how he used to organise the music nights for the pub.     

We never knew that he also wrote poetry and were amazed to read the poem below in the order of service. It just sums up the feeling you get each evening when you are onboard - particularly in winter. 

I just had to get blogging again. 

Braunston and Flecknoe

The weather was good and it was Saturday. With the lifting of the Covid restrictions we had thought that the canals around Braunston would be busy. As the phase goes, the world and his wife decided (like us) to remove the cobwebs and give the boat an airing. The first lock at Long Buckby was relatively quiet and when Ragweed and Albert left the lock there was no sign of any other boats moving. However, just as we left to pick up water the first of six boats arrived. Braunston tunnel was busy and slow but most boats were going the towards Buckby. We dropped down the flight with Ragweed passing an assortment of boats going the other direction. Frustratingly, there were a number of single boats from the same hire company who could have paired up and didn’t appear to have been instructed well. One crew appeared somewhat frustrated about their inability to understand what was required to operate a lock. With lock-down being raised, and overseas quarantines remaining, boating appears to be an attractive a British-based holiday. The section between Braunston and Wigrams Turn is usually quite popular for mooring and today was no exception. All the usual attractive moorings were busy and once moored up by bridge 102 a steady stream of boats passed all afternoon. The village of Flecknoe that looks down on this pretty stretch of canal and countryside looked an attractive proposition for a walk. We climbed the hill via the road, explored the village and then returned to the canal via a bridleway that cuts across the fields. The views from Bush Hill were stunning with beautiful fluffy clouds and blue sky. The fields were full cereals but not the usual wheat but barley and more interestingly oats. There were also some interesting patches of sunflowers mixed with barley and wild flowers.

Albert hiding from view

Wide vistas of South Warwickshire

Oats

Wonderful old sign on Bridge 103 Oxford Canal

First Trip of the Covid-19 Crisis

So with CRT advising:

"From today, Weds 13 May 2020
You may undertake short boating trips only from today – avoiding use of locks and any staff-operated structures if possible – providing, as per current government guidance, you do not stay away from home overnight and return to your home mooring (where you have one)."

we managed a short trip out for the first time since I don't know when.

 In fact with other pressures on our time pre-crisis this is the first cruise of the year. Albert need a bit of fettling after the winter before we got out of the marina by midday.

We managed it all the way to Cosgrove Lock and back but took the opportunity to drop in at Baxters at Yardley Wharf to use their services (pump-out and diesel). The weather was just glorious and ideal, it made us wish for a long trip.

Grassy Towpath near Yardley Gobion

Met some neighbours from our village walking a circular route and had a socially distanced conversation. There were a couple of other boats moving but understandably it was quite. We must do more of this!

Old Stratford Wharf

We pass along Watling Street almost daily since we live just north of Stony Stratford. I am familiar with the route of the Buckingham Arm of the Grand Junction and the Old Stratford Branch in particular. I often sit at the traffic lights at Old Stratford in queues of traffic thinking of the boats that used to pass under Bridge 2 (the so-called Old Stratford Tunnel) on their way to and from Deanshanger and on to Buckingham. I blogged about the tunnel back in 2015.

It therefore came as a pleasant surprise to see a model narrow boat being constructed just by the lights and close to one of the former local canal wharves. I have been promising to photograph it for some weeks but not had the opportunity - Watling Street is a busy road. However, between Christmas and New Year the roads were relatively quite and the sun was shining so I took the opportunity to take a few snaps.

The impression the wooden model gives is of a very short narrow boat because what might be the traditional back cabin is finished off by a prow which is adorned by the usual bow decoration and a boat name - Falcon which in the days of carrying was the name of a nearby inn.

An unusual road side memorial

Watling Street, Old Stratford (MK19 6AE)

The boat is decorated traditionally with the name of JT Canvin, Coal Merchants who operated at the adjacent wharf. The registration is given as Cosgrove 1928. Canvins were well-known locally. It appears that at the turn of the twentieth century they owned a steam narrowboat Jubilee which, if records are to be believed, was not very sound and appeared to sink in tunnels. It was eventually reported sunk in Old Stratford in 1961.

I think Alan Holloway, who appears to be responsible for this monument, should be congratulated for his enterprise and handicraft. What a good way to commemorate a location's canal history - particularly one that hasn't got a functioning link to our current system.

Stoke Bruerne (and Home)

Yesterday we left Gayton in sunshine and made our way to Blisworth. The trip through the tunnel was clear with nobody coming in the opposite direction. We had a pretty rapid transit.

Stoke Bruerne was very quiet. The Canal Museum is closed on Mondays but I think the real reason is that the half-term holidays are over. No other boats were moving.

A quiet Monday at Stoke Bruerne

The first two locks we set for us (full) and then we passed another boat coming up who announced that the next three were set for us. In fact all the way down the flight all the locks were either full of half-full. This meant we cleared the last lock in good time.

We paused to take on water at the bottom lock and were appalled at the conditions of the towpath. I know its been raining a lot recently but the area is impassible for walkers - the puddles are enormous and deep. We've contacted CRT to complain. It needs grading and the drainage sorting.

What a mess!

We missed seeing NB Sculptor on its usual mooring by the museum, but they passed us going north just above Grafton Regis - just where offside vegetation makes the canal very narrow. A winter job for somebody?

Then started the process on packing up and closing up. Our trip has also highlighted that not only did our starter battery also needed replacing - it could hold a good charge overnight. Since the batteries were around 5 years old I suppose that is par for the course. Some searching online for bargains is called for.

Gayton

No not the junction - we are moored up opposite the village of Gayton which is some distance away from the start of the Northampton Arm. As we arrived this afternoon the church bells were ringing and the sun was shining. It wasn't like that earlier today. As we left Long Buckby this morning it was quite different - cloudy and drizzly.

Our evening view

The moon and its reflection, Virgin Train going south, and the Village of Gayton on the hill

We left our mooring below Buckby Top Lock this morning and made very good progress down the rest of the flight. The first few locks were set in our favour and as we progressed we met boats coming up. As a result we managed to clear the flight by 11:15.

South of Whilton the canal is heavily wooded and the section through Brockhall was a bit like travelling through soup. It took a few judicious applications of reverse to keep the prop clear. After Weedon the weather improved and the rest of the day was dry and bright.

Clearing weather at Swingbridge Wharf

Autumn on the canal

We got to Gayton we met a few friendly passing dog walkers who were enjoying the weather. One who was also fishing related how he had seen otters along this stretch. We weren't as lucky, although we watched a heron fishing. However, earlier on we did see three kingfishers and one even dived during its flight. 

Tomorrow we are should be back in Yardley Gobion so we will set off for Blisworth and Stoke Bruerne in the morning.

Watford and Norton

Today we watched the Rugby Cup Final moored up near Weltonfield Marina. Shame about the result. Too much to hope that England would beat all the Southern Hemisphere rugby giants at one tournement.

Once the match was over we set off towards Watford. Our original intention was to try for Welford but that was plainly too much since we need to be home on Tuesday. We therefore winded below Watford Flight. The wind was very strong and it rained off and on. This brought down clouds of leaves which blew like a blizzard across the cut. Albert is a relatively heavy boat but we soon began crabbing. However, the winding hole at Watford of sheltered and "roomy" so turning was fine.

Watford Gap Services from the Canal

We retraced out steps to Norton Junction where we took on water. Mooring was plentiful at the junction but we decided to drop down one lock to use one of the more cozy moorings. Our intention is to go down the rest of flight tomorrow. So we decided to take a stroll around the fields along the Leicester Branch.

Obviously another enthusiastic Ruston owner 

(at Norton Junction)

Wallking along the moorings at Norton we discovered NB Trevor, a steam-powered narrow boat built around 1995. It is diesel fuelled which must make it more convienient to operate than classic steamers fuelled by coal. It appears that it has just changed hands from being moored on the Basingstoke Canal.

Steam Narrowboat Trevor

Diesel furnace and steam engine

Because of the canal's elevation the views around Norton are impressive. Today the lines of black clouds, and the sun occasionally breaking through, made this Midlands landscape look and feel very autumnal. Tonight we shall walk up to the New Inn where it should be warm and cosy.

Wool on barbed wire near Norton

An enormous Badger Set

An Autumn Cruise

An opportunity to go cruising arrived so we are heading north for a long weekend. On Thursday the weather was fine and sunny as we got ready to leave but we had seen the forecast which didn’t look good. The only problem with our start was Albert’s starter battery failed! We managed to quickly get a substitute from Baxter’s and we soon fired up the engine and were on our way.

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.

Warm Weekend to Remember

We are in a busy period at the moment but we just had to get onto Albert and go out boating for the warmest August Bank Holiday on record. We went north and pootled* around. On Saturday (24th) we left Yardley with our friends Jon & Judith Millidge after lunch. Jon steered Albert once we had left the marina and then they enjoyed (or so they said) operating the locks going up to the Long Pound. We managed to pair up with a boat from London when we got to the second lock and had a sociable journal uphill. They were on a extended version of the Thames Ring.

Our Lock Assistants

The Long Pound, Stoke Bruerne

We managed to squeeze into one of the last moorings and then went to The Boat Inn for dinner. 

The good weather continued and on Sunday morning we moved up two locks, winded below the tunnel and then moored up whilst the temperature rose. The couple on the boat "next door" started chatting and we ended up visiting each other's boats. Paula and Andrew turned out to come from the USA (although Paul was born in the UK). They were going South and like us they were not in hurry so we hung around and paired up going down the flight. Paula and Maggie steered and managed to pair-up going into the locks. The evidence is on their blog - they post on their travels including canal trips on their boat NB Wharram Percy.  

Trading Boats at Stoke Bruerne

We split up with NB WP at the bottom lock since they stopped and we moved on to Grafton Regis. We moored up at a spot we pass often but rarely use for mooring. We had a great evening watching the sun go down.

Passing a working pair

What is better on a warm evening?

As it got dark we watched a barn owl fly over the meadow - a ghostly white figure. Next morning we cruised back to Yardley Gobion. 

We must moor at Grafton Regis more often but the offside vegetation is atrocious. It would be really difficult if two boats passed each other by the moorings.

Bit of a squeeze!

*definition: to move somewhere slowly and with no real purpose

Over and Under the Hill - Potterspury History Group

For some years I have been helping lead some of the Over and Under the Hill events at Stoke Bruerne where participants explore Blisworth Tunnel by boat and walk back over the top with guides. Last Saturday we held a special version for our village history group. With the warm and dry spell of weather we managed to fill trip boat Charlie. The tunnel element of the event never fails to impress. Despite travelling through the tunnel on Albert you get a new perspective sitting in Charlie near the water line when you can concentrate on looking at the side passages and the wonderful colours of the mineral deposits on the walls.

Familiar view

Checking the route

Boat Horses in the quarry field

We carried out a reconnaissance on the Thursday before the trip and some our pictures are from that walk.

A group of happy walkers ready for the tunnel

In the tunnel and looking at interpretation material

Leaving Charlie at Blisworth

Finishing with a meal for over twenty at the Navigation Inn it was a memorable event.  The next event like this is at the end of August which is being organised by Trip Boat Charlie.

Northampton, the Arm and Home

We sorted out our overnight mooring fee at White Mills on Wednesday morning (29th) and then had a pump-out so we were not "quick out of the blocks". It was an interesting manoeuvre getting out of the marina with a stiff wind against us but we managed to reverse pretty well. As we left the marina we met NB Alfred coming out of the lock. manouvre. We met this boat before at Aston Marina - it  is owned by a syndicate. It is a 67ft Steve Hudson tug with a Gardner 2LM engine so its not your average time-share boat. At one time is had a Greeves 2YWM engine. 

The family on board were taking her (Alfred) to Northampton so we shared locks all day swapping turns to set them up. We made a good team. 

Locking with NB Alfred

By late afternoon we had reached Northampton Marina. We moored up there overnight but took the opportunity to take in another tapas meal at Les Olives in the town.

Northampton Riverside

On the Thursday (30th) we left Northampton and went up the arm to Blisworth. 

Flag Iris on the Northampton Arm

An IWA working party were litter picking and carrying out maintenance in the first lock. Good to chat to our marina-friend Geoff Wood who was organising the team. They were doing a great job. Luckily the weather was good. 

Locking up the Northampton Arm gives you a sense of achievement when you get to the top. Mostly it was plain sailing but a couple of the pounds were low and a couple of locks had very hard paddle mechanisms. 

Lock under M1

Hovel at the top of Northampton Arm

We turned south at the junction and then moored up for the night in Blisworth village not far from Candle Bridge. We went for a walk to the Royal Oak but didn't stay to eat. We found it a bit disappointing.

On Friday morning (31st) we went through Blisworth tunnel, meeting only two boats, and then went down the Stoke Flight. CRT volunteers were assisting and encouraging lock sharing. We shared with one boat for the first two locks but then they moved ahead to share with a single boat in front so we then shared with a single boat who came down behind. That boat was single-handed so we (I) did most of the locking apart from the occasional help from a volunteer. They were a few site-seers around who wanted to chat and some motor homes had set up for lunch just below the Northampton Road.

Blisworth Tunnel Northern Portal

Emerging from Blisworth Tunnel

We paused by the bottom lock for lunch and reached our home moorings at Kingfisher Marina mid-afternoon. When boating we usual have car parked at the marina but this time our car was at White Mills in Earls Barton so we walked home to Potterspury over the fields. There is something satisfying about walking home to our village rather than driving. The barley in our local fields had grown whilst we had been away. In case your wondering, we picked up a car in the village, travelled to Earls Barton to pick up our car, unpacked Albert and then returned home. A great boating trip.

Walking home from the marina

Northampton

On Friday last week the weather was glorious and warm. It was change over day at the Alverchurch Boat base (ABC Leisure) and a group of boats arrived ready for their next clients. It was also a busy period for their crane. A new boat arrived at the marina for launching and two other boats were craned in.

Boats being craned at Gayton Marina

The journey down the 13 locks took around a couple of hours. Most of the locks at the top were set in our favour and as we approached the bottom of the flight we began to find boats coming up. It appeared from their stories that overnight some of the pounds had been left dry and a group of boats moored up by the M1. A CRT employee was working on one on the gates and repairing a step. Whilst chatting he mentioned the likelihood of restrictions being placed on the flight due to water shortage - probably closing the locks after 3:00 PM. With the little rain we have had recently that sounds sensible.

On the Northampton Flight

One of the lift bridges on the flight (always left open)

Passing under the M1

On the flight there is now some art including mosaics, but under the motorway there is mural that caught my eye. It it includes reference to all the major events that have happened in Northampton - the last being the 1998 floods. I have vivid recollections of  the floods since our village was effected and Towcester was inundated the day before the waters reached Northampton.

Mosaic Trail

Depiction of the Northampton Floods

We paused for a cuppa at the bottom of the flight and then made our way gingerly though the reedy section towards Hunsbury and Northampton. A fair few boats were on the move enjoying the unseasonably warm holiday weather.

Flotsam

Carlsberg Brewery

We got to Northampton in the early afternoon and moored up for the night at the well equipped Northampton Marina. We once again visited Les Olives Tapas Restaurant in the town where we had a great meal, complete with musical accompaniment - the Spanish guitarist was brilliant.

Les Olives