UK Canals - Journey reports

Watford Locks

Before we left our overnight mooring a canoeist passed us in an inflatable boat loaded up with lots of personal gear.  I thought he’s going to have a problem getting all that off to walk over the tunnel.   We left shortly after and there was no sign of him.   Sure enough he was in the tunnel.  No lights behind.  All I could see of him was a bump in the water reflection from the other end of the tunnel.  The boat tunnel light is aimed upwards, so no use as a headlight.   I slowed down and as he came nearer the end his shape and paddle became clearer.  He was waiting for us at the exit.  Not much to say really!  So just be warned.  Expect the unexpected.   Of course we had to wait at Watford locks for 10:00 opening time before which this chap had passed, unloaded his boat and taken it all down.   We passed him later.  His boat was tied up and he was in a hammock tied up between two bushes.   Lots of help on Watford Locks.  We were fifth in line off the top and more to follow after the one behind, the last of the first batch.  Another load waiting down below to come up, so busy all round.   The last in line waiting below, a Wyvern Shipping hire boat, was probably destined to spend the rest of the day there.    Then on to Braunston Tunnel which I hate as it is so wiggly at water level making passing opposite direction traffic a noisy business crashing and banging on the side.   It is necessary to keep some motion going to keep control.  Finally we stopped on the moorings above Braunston Top Lock.

Arrival CRICK

We left our overnight mooring at 07:00 and were ready for Husbands Bosworth tunnel shortly after.  In the tunnel approach a waterboarder was readying his craft and I was wondering about finding canoeists in the tunnel, as they are allowed in some circumstances.   I asked him which way he was intending to go and he pointed the other way.  “Excellent choice”, I remarked.   Actually there was a large notice at the entrance prohibiting all unpowered craft, so not to worry.   Some tunnels are quite short and I imagine these are the ones permitting small craft, whereas this tunnel is 1100 odd yards.    On exiting the tunnel approach cutting, you reach North Kilworth boatyard.   Round the corner is another new marina, mostly hidden behind the hedge and looking a very good size.  Yelvertoft is another one that seems to have grown.  The prospect of all these boats pouring out of their marinas at the same time is quite frightening.   So now we are moored up, close to the West Haddon Road Bridge, just past all the marina entrances.   The piling along here looks very attractive to the casual moorer but of course it is mostly out of bounds.

Foxton Locks (uphill)

Theoretically we could have done the locks yesterday.  The last entrance to the flight is 15:15 hrs.  However, we are not in a hurry.   So this morning we moved to the water point and whilst the tank was filling I wandered up to the locks to check out the scene.  There appeared to be a couple of boats waiting that looked likely suspects. As soon as I spotted the lock-keeper I went and made myself known and it actually now seemed that were were four waiting, 5 including Nuggler.   His plan was to send one up to wait mid flight as four started down from the top.   Then when they were all down we would have our time.   The flight was crowded with gongoozlers on a warm sunny morning.   A lovely day out for the kids, I guess, and all free.  It’s just us that have to pay a licence to be there and provide the entertainment.    Once we got going it took an hour to do the 10 locks.   All the locks have side ponds, so it is possible to start part filling one lock whilst the lock above is still occupied, so transit can be hastened.   Then we motored on towards the corresponding downward flight at Watford Gap, although not intending to go very far today.  WE have stopped a little way short of Husbands Bosworth tunnel.