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.