Monday 3^rd Sept 12

The plan was to leave the mooring here at Ashton at 10am, and wow, everyone was ready and we set off with the aim of reaching Islip/Thrapston to moor for the evening.

 

 With blue sky’s offering us a good days cruising we followed behind Nick and Polly making our way to the first lock of the day which was Lower Barnwell, travelling under the A605 we headed into the lock together. As the lock filled we spotted another boat coming downriver which meant that we could go straight out of the lock, leaving it set for them.

 

A short run from here brought us to Upper Barnwell with its restaurant and conference centre alongside the lock, and with Nick leading the way we both went in. As we pulled out to reverse the lock a cruiser came up behind us and while he negotiated the lock we took the chance to top up the water tanks at the tap on the landing stage.

On our way again we passed by Lilford Hall with its many chimneys and Great Park grounds before passing under a beautiful bridge at the entrance to Lilford lock.

 

 Here we had to slow down and wait for tow cruisers to go up the lock before we could enter. Lilford Lock and its surroundings are very pretty so it was no hardship to have to wait there, and it gave Socks a chance to get off the boat and have a run before we left. Now making for Wadenhoe lock, and the temperature was rising, so Nick suggested that we stop for lunch, have a swim and check out the bottom of his boat to see if we cleared all of the muscles that had attached themselves to his hull.

Just before the lock we found a nice spot, with clear water a sandy bottom and pulled in for lunch. I have to say it wasn’t long before Nick and I were stripped down to our shorts and jumping in for a bit of a mess around before checking his hull. Then it was diving in before getting brave and jumping of the top of the cabins (getting moaned at by Sally) and being told that it was not safe and to stop it.

 Where did he go????

Look at those kids

Well our lunch break, went into about two and a half hours and as we had scheduled Islip as our stop in order to get up the Northampton Arm before it closed for repairs, we set off again. On reaching Wadenhoe Lock we had to wait while a cruiser came through with water gushing over the top of the gates which made it very difficult for him. Them out, it was Nick’s turn to go in first and the flow over the top of the gates caused him some problems in getting over to one side for Sally to get in along side (but we did it with a bit of muscle power). Lock done we made our way upstream toward Titchmarsh Lock, the sun still out but getting cooler as we pressed on. By the time we reached Islip Lock we were all about done in, so finding the moorings at Islip vacant was a bit of a blessing, and we both backed in and moored up for the night after a long day.

Tuesday the 4^th; although a bit overcast today we had a good cruise up to the Kettering Football Club and the moorings at Irthlingborough. Todays journey was a lot shorter than yesterday although we had still got five locks to do on our way. It was a pleasant trip spotting some very good fish, which built our hopes up for a good evenings fishing, HOWEVER!!! After we moored and had eaten our evening meal Nick asked Sally if I could come out to play, but heck not a fish for me (but as Alex my friend says “that’s why they call it fishing and not catching”) although Nick got a couple. So it was an early night for us all.

Wednesday 5^th September; we woke today with the sun burning through our eyelids so we were up with the lark, I made Sally her morning cup of tea in bed and after we were both up it was time for a few chores which needed doing before we set off for Wellingborough. Sally cleaned the windows and bathroom, while I refilled the prop shaft greaser, greased the bush and checked the oil and water. By 10am we were all ready to set off, with Nick leaving first and us following close behind and heading for the first of three locks for the day. Reaching Higham Lock we had to pull over and open the gates as this lock had pointed doors at both ends, all in and the lock filled we moved out with the added blessing that we had no need to reverse the lock on leaving. We headed out first making for Ditchford Lock where we had arranged to pick up some coal and eggs from Kevin and the Glebe Meadow Fisheries farm shop.

 Terapin on the Nene, thats the second this year

It's a hard life

In the lock we got our supplies and loaded the boat up with the coal before making for our last lock and our stopping point of Wellingborough where we had arranged to meet Karl and Kim, my son and daughter in law. We had a good run up to the Lower Wellingborough Lock which was once again pointed doors at both ends and had to moor up to prepare it before going in. as we were about to leave another narrow boat came down to use the lock after we had gone. Now a short run to the town wharf where we moored up for the day, and waiting for our visitors. Nick and Polly decided not to stay in the town and moved off to find a quiet mooring outside of the hustle and bustle.