Monday 25th May 2009 - Crick

3 views of the show. All the chandlery was in tents at the back of the marina

An old icebreaker on display. Before it was mechanised it was pulled by 18 horses.

Just a quick update - 3 glorious days for the show and it was a great success. It wasn't as busy as previous years but there was still a lively atmosphere.

Terry and Carol came to visit and while they went to the show, we borrowed their car, in order to collect ours.
We are going to stay around this area for another week, as we have ordered a new mattress for the bed and it will be easier for delivery to be here.
In the meantime, I am off to London tomorrow for a few days to go shopping for bridesmaids dresses with Lottie, Jean, Laura and Steph, so it will be a bit quiet on the blog as Tom will be too busy wading through his list of jobs!!!

Thursday 21st May 2009

The Butchers at Yelvetoft
The Main Street at Yelvetoft

We went for a bike ride this morning to Yelvetoft, a nearby village. We had heard there was a good butcher, and wanted to stock up on meat. It is a very pretty village with the canal running by it.

After a look round, we cycled back to Crick to have a lunchtime drink in the local pub. It was very busy and the food looked really good, so we are going to try it on Saturday night when Terry and Carol arrive.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk along the towpath, while Tom carried on cleaning the boat - the weather is improving all the time - fingers crossed for the show.
Sorry can't upload any pictures - signal not good enough!

Wednesday 20th May 2009

A much better day weatherwise - bright and sunny. We pottered around the boat, I took Ebony for a reluctant walk, her not me, while Tom cleaned the boat.

In the afternoon the horse arrived pulling the barge - it was travelling so fast, it was hard to get any decent photos. The horse was in training but was doing a great job.

After dinner we went for drinks on Linda's boat with Iain from "MayBee" - a lovely way to end the day.

Tuesday 19th May 2009 Cracks Hill

There is no let up in the weather here, a real mixture of wind, rain and sun. Hopefully it will settle before the show starts on Saturday.
We caught the bus to Northampton - it was about an hour's ride each way, passing through some lovely countryside and villages including Althorpe, Princess Diana's home. We took the shopping trolley and stocked up on groceries while we were there. Luckily we didn't have the camera with us, for Tom to capture me sitting on it while waiting for the bus.
Northampton was not as large as expected, probably just as well as the last bus left at 1445hrs!
The heaven's opened as we walked back to the boat - enough to keep me in for the rest of the day!

Monday 18th May 2009 Cracks Hill

Another blustery day with heavy showers but it didn't stop us from having a fabulous day.

We had read a notice to say that the Crick Tunnel would be closed to traffic from 1500-1600hrs to allow a horse drawn butty to use it. Before the days of engines, the butty was the canal transport and was pulled by horses or mules. When a bridge was encountered, the animal was led over the top, leaving the crew to "leg" it along the walls of the tunnel.

It was too good an opportunity to miss, so even though it was raining we walked to the tunnel exit with Linda and Ebony.

Sure enough, at 1610hrs, the Elland emerged - it had brightened up and the local press were there to record the event. We never did see the horse but were assured it had been led to a horsebox for the night.

Amongst the narrowboaters waiting was William, an 8 week old Jack Russell. Hopefully the pictures show what a brilliant event it proved to be.

Sunday 17th May 2009 - Cracks Hill

We are now just outside Crick, in place for the show next weekend. We have a great position with easy access to both the show and the village but beautiful views.

The weather alternates between rain and sun but there is quite a breeze most of the time.

In the afternoon we climbed Cracks Hill which gave us panoramic views of the boat, the village and the marina, where the show is to be held.

We walked with Linda and Ebony to the local pub in the evening to have our meal and a couple of drinks. A great end to the day.

Saturday 16th May 2009 Watford - Crick

It had poured with rain during the night and was still a bit overcast, so we had a slow start this morning.

Tom was tired and stayed in bed and I went for a walk along the towpath. We knew we weren't far away from the Crick tunnel, and sure enough met it within about 10 minutes of setting off. It looks a bit formidable as you approach - like entering a black hole - but actually it isn't too bad as it has a high roof enabling you to stand up straight. We were lucky as we didn't meet another boat whilst going through.

Almost immediately on emerging we could see Crick Marina where the show is held. We had already spoken to Linda twice to ascertain where she was moored, and easily found her.

What wasn't so easy was actually getting moored near her, as the canal was so shallow on the banks. I was at the helm and made very heavy weather of it, only to find we couldn't get a TV signal. Tom took over and went a bit further up where a boat was just leaving so we tucked into his space.

It was great to see Linda again and Ebony jumped on the boat and went to the biscuit tin - does she remember us from last year?

A quick walk round the village, stock up on groceries and book the pub for dinner tomorrow night. By this time it was very windy and raining on and off so we returned to the boat for a cosy night in.

Friday 15th May 2009 Weedon - Watford

A bit cold and drizzly this morning but we waited for a bright spot and set off. We had decided that I would do the locks today - I obviously had no idea what was ahead. Everybody had assured me that the locks on the canal system were a doddle after the River Nene but that is not the case!!!

The first seven were the Wilton Locks and the Buckby locks - some of the gates were so stiff, it was impossible to move them single handed.

Luckily we had a companion, featured in the picture above. She was about 20 feet long and the couple who own her, spend many days at a time on her. It certainly made it easier with two people - the men had a good chat as both had been in the merchant navy while us girls huffed and puffed our way through the locks.

We stopped for lunch before we tackled the next seven - the Watford flight with a lock keeper supervising to make sure we didn't empty the locks in the wrong order.

We were very lucky as we had just completed the flight when the heavens opened. We weren't very far from our destination but we were both tired and wet and decided to moor on the riverbank very close to the locks.

The picture above is a cottage on Norton Junction which we stayed in about 4 years ago for a week's holiday, incorporating the Crick show. It seems quite different seeing it from the water.

In bed by 2130hrs tonight - not as fit as we thought we were!!

Thursday 14th May - Gayton - Weedon

The pressure was off this morning after such a busy day yesterday. Tom cleaned some of the boat outside and I did the inside.

We set off at 0930hrs and stopped at the local marina for diesel, water and a new gas cylinder.

The canal seemed so much easier to manouvre the boat with no current and it was great to see some different landscapes. It was also strange to see so many places to moor boats as there is such a shortage on the River Nene.

We didn't travel too far and have moored just beyond Weedon on the canal bank. We popped out briefly for milk etc and by 1600hrs it had started to drizzle and we were in for the night.

We saw our first cygnet today - the parents were so protective, we thought we were imagining it at first as it was huddled around the mother's feathers.

Wednesday 13th May 2009 Northampton Washlands- Gayton Junction

When we woke up this morning it was raining. We decided to wait a while to see if the weather improved. By the time we had got up and had breakfast, it had brightened so we set off at about 0930hrs.

We didn't have any set plan today but decided to see keep going until we had had enough or the weather deteriorated.

The first three locks brought us to Northampton and we fully intended to stop to pick up some shopping, but mooring was difficult so we carried on.

We then came to the Northampton Arm but couldn't get any further as the lock was padlocked and we didn't have a key.

We phoned up British Waterways, who confirmed that they have had a lot of trouble with vandals emptying the locks so the padlocks have been a new introduction this year.

However they were very helpful and said that they would send somebody to us within an hour. We took the opportunity to have some lunch and true to their word, Sean turned up and gave us a key.

We set off again at 1400hrs and followed another boat up the flight of 17 locks. I attempted to set the first lock but made such a hash of it, that Tom put me in charge of taking the boat through the remaining locks - I think he thought we might never make it otherwise.

We finally got to the end at 1800hrs and were both tired - Tom physically from the effort of opening and closing so many locks and me from the mental concentration of getting his beloved boat in the narrow locks without hitting the sides.

One amusing anecdote. When we were going through one of the locks in Northampton town, four elderly people came to see the workings of the lock. At first we thought they were Polish but then realised they were Spanish. They seemed very shocked when we started conversing with them in Spanish - I think it was the last thing they expected.

We are now on the Grand Union Canal.

Tuesday 12th May 2009 Billing Aquadrome - Northampton Washlands

We had a very windy night on the boat as we were on a very exposed mooring. We were surprised to find we were still in the same position this morning!
At 1000hrs as arranged we struggled against the wind to the boatyard within the marina, who duly fitted three new batteries.
By 12midday we were on our way but decided that we would not venture far today as we were both tired. We went through three locks and by 1400hrs we were moored in the washlands.
It offers a bit of seclusion from the wind and it was a gloriously sunny afternoon. Tom washed one side of the boat and I pottered about quite happily. We wanted to have a rest as tomorrow we will be tackling Northampton and joining the Grand Union Canal.

Monday 11th May 2009 Irthlingborough - Billing Aquadrome

Railway viaduct on way to Billing






Fabulous Rape fields all the way







Not wet but very cold easterly winds blowing all day

We were on our way by 0715hrs this morning but it was quite cold and very windy. It didn't help that the first four locks had been left reversed, which meant more work for us.

The river was deserted but we were lucky to meet other boats at just the right time at two locks, which meant an easier passage through.

This stretch of the river was fairly flat with little of interest en route, but the scenery and wildlife more than made up for it.

We finally arrived in Billing at 1530hrs and made our way into the marina. The wind was really fierce and we slowly made our way to the visitors moorings. We couldn't believe them - a couple of scaffolding poles and some planks into the river for about 30feet leaving about 17feet of our boat overhanging.

When we went to the office they informed us that it is £15 per night or £30 if we want electric hook up! We are only here to change three batteries tomorrow, so won't be lingering.

Sunday 10th May 2009 Titchmarsh - Irthlingborough

Another early start and we were away by 0730hrs. The river was very still but within a couple of hours the wind was up. We are under pressure to get to Billing on Tuesday, so there wasn't time to stop off anywhere. However we have made note of places that we can explore on our homeward journey.
We had a brief look at the new marina in Ringstead - it only has six boats in it at the moment and no facilities laid on.
We stopped for breakfast and spent another half an hour chatting to a couple who are building their own narrowboat. They are going to Crick later this month so have arranged to meet them there.

We reached Irthlingborough at about 1430hrs and went for a walk in the village before settling down for the rest of the day. We were so tired - not used to all this physical work - that we were in bed by 2130hrs.

Saturday 9th May 2009 Fotheringhay - Titchmarsh

We woke up very early this morning and decided to get going as the wind had dropped. We couldn't believe it ourselves when we left Fotheringhay at 0715hrs - our earliest ever!!

It was quite chilly but we were well wrapped up and the next two hours were so peaceful - we didn't see another soul or boat - a beautiful time of day to be on the river.

We arrived at Ashton at 0930hrs and stopped for breakfast and a walk to Oundle to get the paper and food essentials. We left about 11am by which time it was getting warmer but the wind was up.

The next leg of our journey was fairly uneventful apart from a canoeing class who decided to take refuge under a narrow bridge - not ideal when the wind is up.

We also saw two red kites who circled above us, lots of calves, lambs, swans on their nests and geese and ducks with their young. Spring is definitely here.

We managed to get to Titchmarsh by 4pm and decided to call it a day. The cruising club here are very friendly and found us a lovely mooring on the river bank.

Friday 8th May 2009 Peterborough - Fotheringhay

Well here we are again. We arrived back in UK from Tenerife and took the boat straight to Peterborough with a view to getting her out of the water for bottom blacking. Unfortunately it didn't happen and we are going to try again in the autumn. However we had a busy week shopping, sorting bills, insurance, boat licence etc and finally set off for our summer adventure this morning.

It was an early start for us and we were filling up with diesel and water at 8am and were on our way by 0930hrs. It was very windy but at least it was dry and we decided that as the first part of our journey was such familiar territory, we would keep going until we had had enough.

We had a small narrowboat and a cruiser to keep us company for most of the journey and we helped each other out at various locks that were proving to be tricky due to the wind. Unfortunately we couldn't all get in the locks together, so we caught up at different parts of the river. We must be seasoned travellers by now, as three years ago when we got the boat, we would never have ventured out in such gales!

We stopped at Yarwell briefly for a quick lunch, waved to our mooring at Nassington and made our way to Fotheringhay, arriving at 1630hrs. We are moored this side of the bridge and hope that the wind has died down in the morning when we will endeavour to get through it.

Within 10 minutes of mooring it poured with rain but luckily we were tucked up in the warm by then. If the weather improves a bit we might venture out to the Falcon tonight for a drink.