Better luck next time?

 Monday 17^th and Tuesday 18^th July; Stoke Bruerne to Gayton marina

We woke up to sunshine, and were pleased to see the solar panel at work topping up the batteries, which were somewhat depleted after we ran the inverter for 3 hours yesterday to watch the tennis.  We hadn’t far to go today, so got on with some jobs.  With slight risk of rain, we took out the starboard hopper windows and I gave them and the frames a good clean.  That's all the removable windows done now.  Dave went down the engine hole with some wads of newspaper to clean up the engine bilge.  Yesterday’s rain must have partially filled the deck drain channels with bits of leaf and debris, and then became so heavy that the drains were completely overwhelmed and so it was a bit wet down there.  I started cleaning through the boat – Meg is moulting and handfuls of fur were sent floating, or rather blowing, down the canal.

We set off for Gayton at about 11.  The first lock was nearly empty as a boat had just come down, so we could go straight in, and there was the promise of volunteers at the top lock with two more boats on their way down.  They took a while – one of the bottom paddles has been out for 8 weeks, and although the gate inspector had been three weeks ago the new gear is still not ready.  It’s in the system….  No pictures – I had left my phone in the dinette.

Bye-bye Stoke Bruerne

While the lock was filling I had a good view of the badly bent rod – the boat impact must have been very violent as there was even a mark on the gate itself.  Of course, once I was able to get my phone the water had covered it, so even if I had zoomed right in for the photo above you wouldn’t see it.

The buildings from the museum to Spice of Bruerne

We entered the tunnel at 11.31, where a dad was anxiously telling his kids to be careful as they peeped round the wall. 

Blisworth south portal

The tunnel was much drier this time, in spite of yesterday’s downpour.  I suppose it takes time to percolate from the surface.  The brick section in the northern part was much wetter than the length with the concrete lining, with some spectacular patches of flowstone.  Once again the transit took 32 minutes, although there were no boats to be passed today.  Once through, we moored at the village, and while I went up to the shop Dave washed the starboard side.

I saw a strange thing by the steps to the road.  An open can of pop, but a packet of Doritos was unopened and beside it was a yellow pepper.  Not litter then.  I started up the steps.  It was lucky I had my floppy hat on and could pretend I hadn’t noticed, as out of the corner of my eye, where the grassy slope by the steps meets the wall of the bridge,  I could see some legs and a hasty movement as their owner zipped up his flies.

All evidence removed

Just keeping an eye on things

We had lunch, and were just thinking of leaving when a South African couple very kindly offered us a lift to Tesco if we wanted a big shop.  They moved onto their boat (to be renamed and repainted) earlier in the year and although they have family living nearby with a spare room, they would much rather sleep on their boat while they are visiting.  They still have business interests in South Africa, and are so impressed with the solar panels on the boat they are considering installing some there, especially now as their emergency generators have been stolen.  I can’t think why they aren't installed already – as they said, they are hardly short of sun.

We moved on in the afternoon, wanting to get closer to the marina. 

Ellie’s family must have thought she’d lost them, but of course she hasn’t

Then we passed the boat we saw creeping along on electric power a couple of days ago - they had done well in yesterday’s sunny weather, getting all the way to Stoke Bruerne.

We rounded Gayton junction and took advantage of the vacant facilities block mooring to top up the water and dispose of rubbish.  We kept Meg close to avoid ructions.

We moored against the towpath outside the marina – the traffic noise there is no worse than on the pontoons inside, and the view is better too.  It’s also rather windy for mooring!

The next morning the wind had dropped, as we had hoped, so we went into the marina after breakfast.  We were packed and away around 11, happy in the knowledge that the batteries were nearly full and the solar panel was in the sun!

Yesterday’s cruise; 2½ miles, 2 locks, Blisworth tunnel

Trip stats; 62 miles, 3¼ furlongs.  3¾ furlongs narrow canals, 61 miles 7¼ furlongs broad canal, 28 broad locks.  Blisworth tunnel, Fenny Stratford swing bridge, Iron Trunk aqueduct and Grafton St aqueduct, all twice.

We hope we’ll be able to get on the Nene next time.

The 100th day

Sunday 16^th July; Grafton Regis to Stoke Bruerne

Though it was comparatively sheltered where we were moored, it was still very windy out in the open, where it would have been nice to have moored last night!

Lovely views

It was mostly bright, and even sunny, but with the odd passing shower.  We weren’t far from the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight, and were soon on our way up.  The bottom lock was full to overflowing, and I thought it would be difficult to open the bottom gates as water was pouring over the top ones, but the pound level above dropped a little and it was ok.  Strangely the next lock was totally empty and ready for us, with no other boat in sight.  Very odd.  At our 4^th lock we waited for a boat coming down, and then at the next were two lovely volunteers.

It wasn't really that dark!  look carefully and you will see the volunteers.

We moored easily in the long pound below the next lock.  We checked out the Navigation’s web page for vacancies for Sunday lunch – nothing until 2.45, by which time we hoped to be watching the men’s singles final at Wimbledon.  So we had a sandwich and enjoyed the tennis (Alcarez beating Djokovic in a very exciting final set).

We walked up to the Navigation where we didn’t fancy anything on their evening menu (the roasts having long been scoffed).  So I ordered a takeaway in the Spice of Bruerne and we enjoyed a pint of Pedigree in the pub while we waited.  When we collected it, Dave realised that the curry house was where the famous (in the boating world) Sister Mary had lived.

The takeaway was excellent, a small celebration of our 100^th day aboard Bonjour.  We’ll get a table next time.

Less than 3 miles, 5 locks

 

 

A bit of a mission

Saturday 15th July; Campbell Park to Grafton Regis

This was not the day we had anticipated!  Last night Dave realised we had miscalculated the days since the last pump-out, and although we have a Porta-Potti in case of emergencies it would be better to get a pump-out today – tomorrow being Sunday when everything will be closed.  Then, with the weather forecast for high winds and thunderstorms I thought to check the MK parkrun facebook page, as the route takes in a long stretch of one of the poplar-lined avenues … and a tree had come down a few days ago.  Just as well I did – it had been cancelled.  Parkruns are never cancelled just because it’s raining, but danger to life and limb is another matter.  Decision quickly made - it wasn’t raining yet so by 8.30 we were on our way.  This time I was ready for more of the artwork along the towpath.

Fishy

Iron horse

Then suddenly there was a bang! and the engine stopped.  We looked behind us and saw the culprit floating free – a 3’ chunk of log, sodden and almost completely submerged.  Fortunately the prop etc all seemed to be functioning as normal so we carried on to the facilities at Giffard Park. The water-point was occupied, with another boat waiting, but at least there was a space to moor for me to nip to Tesco for the paper, and as the public bins there had been emptied I got rid of some recycling too.  There was a prolonged shower as we continued towards Wolverton, but the sun came out as we neared the Grafton St aqueduct.  We could see a very slow boat creeping along ahead – it appeared the steerer was new to the job, as the owner kept popping out to adjust his course.  They beckoned us by, but with a line of moored boats on one side, and two boats coming towards us, we had to wait.  We asked if they were having trouble; no, not really, was the answer, they were just seeing how far they could get on solar power only – well, with the sun coming and going, and their snail’s pace, we didn’t think it would be very far, at least not today.  It was an older boat, so they must have retro-fitted with an electric motor. No picture, sadly.

Cherry-picker convention

When we stopped in Wolverton on our way out, there was a cruiser moored behind us with a very noisy engine echoing between the buildings.  He was still there.  What joy for the local residents, as he must have been running the engine every day for his batteries.  I don’t think this little family were too bothered though.

As we came to the end of the built-up area we passed a flat – clearly a lot of work (by volunteers?) has been taking place round here, as it was heaped high with detritus from the canal.

We made a short stop at the Iron Trunk aqueduct for Meg to have a break and me to buzz down the steps to have a look at the old locks, which were used to lower the canal to cross the Great Ouse before the aqueduct was built.  There was a lovely spell of warm sun and it was a shame we couldn’t have had a longer walk, but the nearest boatyard closes at 4 and we need that pump-out!  There wasn’t much to be seen as a rampant sea of nettles was swamping everything – I don’t know what might be visible in the winter.

One set of gates

The other end of that lock

And the remains of an old gate in the grass

It was still too early for lunch so we pulled pins and went along to the lock.  A widebeam was having a terrible time getting in, and we decided to top up with water because the crew was having trouble with the gates too, even with people helping.  I went to the shop in the mobile home park for some eggs, then it was our turn for the lock.  The strong wind had blown both top gates open again but luckily a walker was sitting on the far side and closed the offside gate for me.  Then I hared back to lift a bottom paddle before they drifted open again.   Dave needed both bottom gates open – it was impossible to keep straight in the wind, even with the bow thruster.  Then we had a sandwich as we cruised, as stopping for lunch would mean we'd miss the rest of the good weather.

Soloman’s bridge, badly eroded now

I took a photo of this Ford Anglia (my first car, same colour too) but can’t quite remember where it was, possibly at bridge 63.

Blast from the past

We made it to Baxter’s by 3, (waving to Briar Rose through the hedge at Thrupp as we passed) but had to breast up against the wide beam which was also having a pump-out.  The Baxter family no longer owns the yard, but the current owners have named their dog after the boatyard, so it still belongs to a Baxter.  The widebeam eventually finished, and by the time it was our turn the rain was threatening.  We needed a new gas bottle as well.  The wind was so strong now it was blowing the bow out, so I had to hang on to the rope for dear life so Dave and the gas bottle didn’t end up in the drink.   A gas locker in the bow is a neat storage solution until you have to manoeuvre heavy bottles in and out!  And the rain had started again.  We got the waterproofs back on, and off we went in as the rain got heavier and the wind ever stronger.  We decided to grab the first bit of suitable armco we came to, which was just after bridge 58 at Grafton Regis.  There are prettier and more open stretches a bit further along, but with the rain now cascading off the roof we had had enough cruising for one day!  The wind was helping now by holding us against the bank, so we could get tied up quickly.  The sun was out again after half an hour or so, turning the cratch into a hot cupboard so our wet stuff could dry.  But we had to close the hopper windows along the port side as the wind had not abated – since I cleaned off all the algae they were no longer stuck to the frame and rattled furiously.

10 miles, 1 lock, 2 aqueducts, an expensive pump-out (£27.50) and gas canister (£47), and a lot of weather.

 

A trifle damp

Friday 14^th July; Stoke Hammond to Campbell  Park

The forecast for today is very poor, with rain forecast to start at 9, but when we got up it was raining already.  So no rush! But then it stopped, so we set off straight away, 8.30 by now.  We could have stayed here for the day, but I would really like to be able to do the Milton Keynes parkrun tomorrow, which means getting to MK for tonight. But it's not far and we should easily be there by lunchtime.  We had half an hour in the dry, and stopped at Willowbridge chandlery for a fuel top-up and some holding tank fluid – we don’t know what the previous owners used, and after a pump-out everything seems to be fine for a week or so but then we start getting unpleasant wafts when the loo is flushed.  I wondered if I needed to use a commercial fluid, though you are supposed not to need it if you manage your tank right, either with no additive, bio washing powder or Ecover toilet cleaner which is what we are currently using.  Anyway, it was raining lightly by now,  intermittently heavier, and we pressed on to Fenny Stratford.  We had originally considered visiting Bletchley Park from Fenny, but didn’t fancy it on a wet day.  A boat was just emerging from the lock, so we didn’t need to open the swing bridge ourselves. 

Fenny Stratford lock

Then the chap who was on the water point, which is below the lock, asked us to leave it open as he was about to follow us through – we had offered to share but he had refused.  We looked round when we were well on our way to see that he had disappeared inside his boat again, much to the annoyance of a pedestrian who had to walk across the gates instead.  I felt cross and a bit guilty too for not just closing it.

You pass under several major road bridges as you wend your way round the edge of MK. These two chaps were enjoying a morning’s fishing as the rain continued, definitely not light now.  The photo is rather fuzzy as I took it quickly to try and keep my phone dry.

Fishing in the dry

We found the mooring on the Newlands side of the canal was all taken, but Campbell Park was free.  It’s a good edge with rings, but it’s where the geese like to hang out, so you need to mind the goose poo when you are mooring up.  Meg had been inside all morning so I gave her 5 minutes play in the park before joining Dave inside to get some warm clothes on.  Our waterproofs had kept us dry but we were getting cold by the time we stopped.

Lawn mowers not minding the rain

After lunch we pulled the mattress off the bed and Dave checked again that the carbon filter on the loo tank was sound, and there were no leaks.  We won't add the fluid I bought till after the next pump-out.  Then we did a few jobs inside and watched the geese who passed by every now and then, pecking assiduously at the grass, as the rain continued and the wind rose.  Eventually we could put it off no longer, got togged up again and took Meg out for an hour’s blast around the park which she thoroughly enjoyed, and so did we really in spite of the weather.  No-one had joined us on the mooring, so there was Bonjour, in solitary state, as we returned.

Billy-no-mates

Finally at about 6 it stopped raining.  The internet signal kept dropping out, so no blog posting today.   This one was posted over a week later.

6 wet miles, 1 wet lock. 1 swing bridge, 0 operated.