UK Canals - Journey reports

Drop-off

We just motored into the marina and left the boat where we had been asked to.   A bit of tidying up including taking the wind generator body off the roof just in case.   Then we left the keys and taxi to the station.

The final pre-dropoff move

The wind was getting up again.  Shortly after 10:00 we set off for the last leg of our journey, the one mile to Debdale Wharf.   Sadly our prime mooring spot was blocked, straddled if you like, by a narrowboat.  We deduced the following day that they urgently needed a pump-out and were waiting for the boatyard to open on Monday.   There was a tidy spot on the other side of the bridge for us.

Lazy Day

The wind showed signs of dying down last night and this morning all was calm.    Thought I would take a walk along the canal to our ultimate destination to check out the layout and met the office staff.   All pretty laid back really.  The boatyard is closed on Sundays, so if we arrive then we can put the boat almost anywhere without interfering with operations.   There was a useful  looking spot on the canal side wharf.    The lock flight looked much busier today in the better weather with heaps of gongoozlers.   I guess the little café at the top might even have been selling ice-creams and I discovered a very useful little shop selling a few provisions opposite the bottom lock.   Being unused to Covid19 restrictions as we are effectively continually isolating on the boat and don't bother, it always comes as a surprise to be asked to mask up.   The moorings (48 hours) were also starting to fill up as the 3:15  deadline to start the flight had passed.

Foxton Locks

Friday May 21st

Given that the forecast was very similar for the next few days, and given our need to be at Debdale Wharf on Monday morning, there seemed no point in delaying for weather, so we decided to carry on as normal and left our overnight spot at 07:15.    This turned out to be a good move because although the wind was unpleasant from time to time, the rain kept off.   We had not intended to do Foxton Locks today but found ourselves at the top of the flight at 10:30 and first in line and no delay except for about 15 minutes to allow an upcoming craft to complete the last two chambers.   An hour later we were at the bottom.   For those unfamiliar Foxton Locks comprise two 5 lock staircases.  A staircase lock is where one chamber connects directly to the next separated only by one (very tall) set of gates.   Once a boat starts up or down it has to complete the set of five before any opposite direction traffic can use the locks, but a chain of boats can follow in the same direction.   This allows a steep descent but ideally needs side pounds (small ponds) to regulate the water levels.

Bridge 37

This morning’s weather forecast was horrible with gale force winds and rain later.   So the aim was to press on until around 10:am when the dread was supposed to be starting. Until then it was calm.  So just before bridge 37 we found what we thought was a suitable bit of piling to stop for the day - about 10:30.   The wind did get up and it did rain.   For the first time this year I erected the wind generator and it really worked well, maintaining an input voltage to the batteries of over 13v.  Very few boats moving, non unexpectedly in the circumstances.   In the afternoon an opposite direction boat bumped us.   It ended up opposite stuck in the mud.  I was a glass-fibre catamaran with an outboard and wheel steering.  I guess that in the instant of being blown onto us, the helm had been spun but not reacted to quick enough to avoid the opposite bank.   Makes you realise how effective a tiller is in reacting quickly.   The two young ladies on the boat were very apologetic and admitted that this was their first day of having the boat.   High winds are very difficult to handle in a light plastic cruiser.    The wind continued all night.

Watford Locks

Wednesday 19th May

We set off through Braunston Tunnel at 07:30.   With the wiggles in the bore, not wearing my glasses and other excuses keeping a straight line was troublesome.   For the first time I made the turning onto the Leicester section at Norton Junction in one.  The sunshine streaming through the trees on the first part of the canal was very beautiful and the day showed some promise.  We arrived at the bottom of the locks at 09:50 to find ourselves 6 in the queue and luckily on the last bit of piling available. The lock keeper arrived promptly at 10:00 and got us all organised.   There were 6 waiting at the top apparently.  For those unfamiliar with the locks, from the bottom there are two regular locks, then the staircase of three, plus another regular lock at the top.   The two in the front of our queue were to go up and wait above the second lock, while all the boats at the top came down, then the next four, headed by the two already waiting for the staircase and ending with us, would go right up.   The staircase works most efficiently with a stream of boats.   It was nearly midday when we started up and by 13:40 we were moored at Crick.   Again, as yesterday, just in time to be able to shelter from a very heavy shower.

Boat Blacking

Tuesday 18th May

We are leaving today for Debdale Wharf Marina for the ultimate boat bottom blacking.  Grit blasting plus the works.  Generally this would be a full three days trip, but we are taking it slow.  12 hour days are a thing of the past I reckon.   Today a nice sunny morning and feeling warmer for the first time in weeks, although as the day progressed clouds started to bubble up.  We aimed for Braunston top lock so as to get to Watford Locks early tomorrow as there are restrictions (first locking at 10:00) and there will inevitably be a queue.   Braunston was quiet, so we had the locks mostly to ourselves.   Lock 5 had one bottom gate out of use, but no problem and then we found plenty of moorings before the tunnel.  Shortly after arriving, the heavens opened with a very heavy shower.   Only problem was a non-existent phone signal, so no post possible, but amazingly even though we were in a cutting, perfect TV.