Crick to Wadenhoe

We were ready for an early start from Crick but were surprised to see a dozen sheep coming down the towpath.  We didn't know which field they'd come from but Kev turned them back and they ran into the community millennium woods.  When we sailed passed they were busy eating the long grass between the trees.  We soon arrived at Crick Tunnel, the reason for our early start.  Long tunnels can be tricky to navigate and it's far easier if there isn't a boat coming the other way.  

We arrived at the Watford Locks just as the lock-keeper started duty at 8am but had a delay, the bottom pound was empty.  I had a look at the locks book-swap, none of the books caught my attention but looking up I saw a swallow perched on a beam watching me intently.  Once down the locks we sailed passed the Watford Gap services and onto the moorings at Norton Junction.  

One of the locks in the staircase at Watford

Over the next few days we made our way south on the Grand Union and on Friday turned onto the Northampton Arm at Gayton Junction.  

On Saturday we had another early start, this time to tackle the 16 locks into Northampton. The A43 runs alongside the canal but a screen of trees hides the road and gives the canal a rural feel.  

One of the original style lift bridges which are no longer used

A very different bridge takes the M1 over the canal and proximity to a large town is evident in the graffiti.

The motorway bridge with it's unusual supporting beams and a lock at the far end. 

Using the bike to ride between the locks we had a good run down and moored up at Cotton End.  Descending the locks was only the start of our day; we had a long shopping list which resulted in 3 walks to various shops and I also had a look round the town which has some interesting buildings.  The Guildhall with it's elaborate carvings and new extension in a contemporary style stands out.  A member of staff was happy to let me have a look inside where the Great Hall is now used for functions and another room is set out for wedding ceremonies. 

The Guildhall's Great Hall with painted ceilings, stained glass and murals

On Sunday we had a later start, we planned to sail to Midsummer Meadows on the other side of Northampton, a short day.  At the second lock we were joined by a single-hander and as we left the lock I told him to go on, it was easier for me to shut the lock gates.  I wasn't so happy when he sailed onto the only free mooring at Midsummer Meadows and we had to carry on.  The next moorings were all full and as moorings on this section of the Nene are scarce it wasn't looking good.  6 miles and 7 locks later we decided to take a visitor mooring at the White Mills Marina.  2 years ago the site of this marina was fields and they've been open for a year.  We'd phoned ahead and when we arrived a member of staff was waiting at the entrance to direct us to the mooring.  He then helped us tie up and the owners came out to greet us, a very warm welcome.  

White Mills Marina

We stopped 2 nights and I walked up to the village, Earls Barton where there's an unusual shop.  Jeyes of Earls Barton started as a pharmacy by the Jeyes brothers of Jeyes Fluid fame.  

 Jeyes shop which has been extended into the adjoining properties

There's still a pharmacy but the shop now includes a gift shop, cafe and small branch of the Market Harborough Building Society.  Up the steep stairs are a series of rooms each with their own collection including a history of the Jeyes family and pharmacy, historical objects donated by the villagers, a miniature funfair and a teddy bear collection.  There was also a dolls house shop selling everything you need in miniature. 

A selection of miniature musical instruments

On Tuesday we sailed into Wellingborough and left the next morning in drizzle which turned to heavy rain as we reached Irthlingborough.  The rain continued all day and the water level started to rise.  The next morning we walked down to the lock to see a torrent of water teeming over the lock gates.  The locks are designed for this and as the bottom guillotine gates are left open the water flows freely away but even so we decided to stay on the mooring.  

A torrent of water at Irthlingborough Lock

On Friday we moved on, the river levels were lower but it was a tight squeeze under the low footbridge at Islip.  

The low footbridge which is a bit rickety; it has a notice advising a limit of 3 adults on the bridge and is due to be replaced this summer.

We stopped at Thrapston, a small town which still has a livestock auction.  The auction was in full flow when I went in on Saturday and it was interesting to see the variety of poultry but I couldn't follow the auctioneer's rapid delivery of the bidding.  In the afternoon we dodged heavy rain showers to go on our walk and spotted a heron on the lock moorings. 

I hope the heron took notice of the sign!

On Sunday we set off and at the next lock we found a notice advising the river was closed to navigation between Wadenhoe and Lilford Lock due to a mechanical fault on a sluice.  We had wondered why there was so little boat traffic!  As we intended stopping at Wadenhoe, before the lock, we carried on and found a good mooring near the church.  Later we saw Environment Agency staff who had been checking the water levels as the problem sluice is jammed open.  We had a good chat with them about boating on the Nene but they couldn't tell us when the sluice will be repaired.  Wadenhoe is one of the best places on the river so we aren't too concerned about having to wait here.  

Our journey from Crick to Wadenhoe

Leicester to Crick

We left Leicester on Saturday morning and hoped we wouldn't have to travel too far. Unfortunately the region south of Leicester is considered unsafe for mooring and when we reached open countryside the "police patrol" notices were off-putting.  We eventually stopped 7 miles and 11 locks later at Kilby.  The weather was warm and dry so we took the opportunity to start work on repainting the wheelhouse roof.  When we left on Monday morning we'd completed the task and started on the locker lids.  

Sailing east we steadily climbed a series of locks and came across CRT staff running water through the locks to replenish the low levels at Leicester.  When we found a quiet place to stop we stayed a couple of days to continue our painting activities.  We have noticed a lot of narrowboats have matt black gunwhales which are easier to touch up when they get scratched and scraped; we are following suit with Brent III and included the bow in this colour change. The matt black is also far easier to apply than the glossy red although it's not quite as eye-catching.

On Thursday we caught up with 4 lady bellringers on their annual hire-boat holiday.  We shared some locks with them before continuing on to stop near Debdale Wharf.  My walk took me to the Foxton Locks where I was surprised to see Gill, a colleague from work, with her narrowboat.  

Looking up the second set of  staircase locks at Foxton 

On Friday we decided to take a detour to Market Harborough for some provisions.  The Market Harborough Canal is 5.5 miles long and curls round the contours to reach the little town.  We took a mooring on the Union Wharf and made full use of the electric.  Market Harborough is a charming little town with independent and artisan shops as well as the supermarkets and usual stores.   

Union Wharf which is owned by a hire-boat company who let out visitor moorings when available

After sailing out of Market Harborough we found a good mooring for painting and made a determined effort to finish the job.  When we sailed back to Foxton on Friday Brent III had smart black bow, stern and gunwhales and a grey non-slip back deck.  

At Foxton we were the only boat on the locks and made quick work of our assent before stopping for an ice cream at the top. 

Looking down the Foxton Locks to the pub at the bottom

After Foxton Locks we were on a long summit level which winds through open countryside.  On one of our walks I spotted a family of Canada Geese on the opposite bank.  I stopped to watch as the adults led the goslings onto the canal. 

Leading the goslings onto the canal

On Sunday we stopped near Yelvertoft and the weather was glorious so we enjoyed sitting out on the front deck. 

"Watching you"  enjoying the sunshine

Sadly the good weather didn't last and it was quite cold as we sailed into Crick where we stopped on Monday.  The boat show is at the end of the month but while we were there it was very quiet on the visitor moorings.  

Our journey from Leicester to Crick via Market Harborough