13th May 2012

Well Graham and Carolann you still hold the record as we were only marooned for 20 days on the Nene at Ashton. Yes today we are on the move again at long last, I have to say though that Sally and I did enjoy our spot due to the nature of wildlife around us, but it is still good to be moving again. We set off this morning with Bob and Anne who are returning NB Leisurely Fox to fox Narrowboats in March and shared the journey as far as Fotheringhay where we filled up with water.

After Ashton lock we headed under the Oundle foot bridge, which we had crossed many times on our way into Oundle for groceries and a badly needed hair cut, then under the old bridge which was the original route from Peterborough and Northampton. The heavy flow of water on the Nene made it a little difficult to negotiate the main arch, but we did it with flying colours, and not collecting ant masonry.

The next lock of the day was Cotterstock on the way to the Oundle School rowing club, this done it was on to Perio lock with its beautiful little church. it was here that we met our first oncoming narrowboats heading for Northampton and the canal system beyond. As they had just left the lock and it was set for us to go straight in, and Bob waived me in first after warning me of the overhanging concrete sides, in safe. Bob followed me in and after warning me of the dangers, proceeded to rip a cleat of the side of his boat, (never mind Bob and sorry for the jokes) as you will see later.

Next stop Fotheringhay and the much need supply of water and I know I have said it before but the river Nene is very beautiful as it winds its way through Northamptonshire. We passed many stands of Poplar trees on our way this morning, all planted in straight rows spreading out from the river bank. We held back from Bob, giving him plenty of time to get moored up at the water point before slowly mooring up behind him. Now, here they charge for mooring, £2.00 for a short stay and £4.00 for overnight, and we hadn't even tied our mooring ropes before the guy appeared to take our money (greedy bugger). However he went away disappointed as we only stopped for water and therefor were no required to pay.
Whilst waiting for the tap Sally went for her shower, and oh boy did she smell nice, once we were on the tap it was my turn. I was so eager to get into the cleansing waters that I forgot to take off my glasses and had to throw them out onto the floor. All clean and with a washer full of cloths and an overflowing tank it was time to move off (read this bit Bob).
I reversed off the mooring to have a good straight run at the bridge, but to no avail, I hit it ripping off my centre cleat and collecting a memento of the old bridge at Fotheringhay.

Once through the bridge we came to the famous Fotheringhay mound where once stood a castle and keep, it was the birthplace of King Richard the 3rd and the place of execution of Mary Queen of Scots. All that remains now of this castle is the mound and a small section of the keep. For Sally and I we have now seen the birthplace of Richard the 3rd and the place where he met his end at the battle of Boswoth, and all while cruising on our narrowboat.

From her it was on to Elton, where we have moored up for the night and eaten a big plate of spaghetti bolognese.
More tomorrow.