We pulled pins at silly O clock , well that’s what Curly called it. In fact it was 07.55 and with the Sun well up in the sky we soon got onto the services at Gayton and filled and emptied Inca. This is one of the better kept service areas that Canal and River Trust operate and its always clean and tidy. Its just a shame they cant all be like this one.
Half an hour later and we were going through Blisworth tunnel which at 3076 yards is the third longest navigable canal tunnel in the country. Work began on building the tunnel in 1793, but errors by the contractors left a wiggle in the tunnel, and after three years work it collapsed due to quicksand, claiming the lives of 14 men. It was then decided to begin again with a new tunnel. This was finally finished in 1805. Blisworth tunnel is usually wet but this is the wettest we have ever seen it. Still it was good fun even though we got soaked.
A short distance after the tunnel and we arrived at Stoke Bruerne top lock. We had to wait for a couple of boats to come up the lock before we started our descent of the flight of locks.
After a couple of locks we paired up with a single handed boater. His boat has a most unusual name its NB Dr Bradley’s Linctus. Apparantly it originates from Yorkshire and is very good….
It seems the village of Stoke Bruerne have their own flag. All the way down the flight of locks each lump of dog doo had its own little flag…How sweet !
With the weather being so good Carolyn and Curly decided to carry on walking at the bottom of the locks and did a couple of miles before getting back aboard Inca.
We always have a chuckle when we pass this sign at Baxter’s Wharf near Yardley Gobion.
After a good cruise we picked up this mooring about a mile before Cosgrove and for the first time this year the deck chair came out. Hopefully it will soon be time for the shorts to come out .
After a lovely Spring day we were treated to this beautiful Sunset. ..picture by Curly
Happy Days
Loved this blog some very nice pictures. Abbies stride was longer than Carolyns when they decided to do their little walk and me and grandadnthought her photo of the sunset was brilliant. xxx
ReplyDeleteYou're in a favourite spot on mine along that stretch!
ReplyDeleteHi Adam , There are some great spots along that stretch , Our favourite is at Grafton Regis below the Manor House and looking out over the valley. Unfortunately it was full of boats, so we moved onto our next favourite spot which is also your favourite spot...
DeleteYes we like Grafton Regis too, but the road there makes it a popular spot for boaters with cars.
DeleteThe other thing that has put us off a bit about Grafton is that here have been a few boats and cars broken in there, so we tend not to leave Inca unattended there, such a shame !!!!
DeleteJust love that sign - have to watch out for those elderly ducks! Great sunset picture too - what's Curly like at blog writing to go with picture taking?
ReplyDeleteRobin and Jenny
Romany Rambler
Hi Robin and Jenny , It's funny but Curly did ask if she could do her own blog post . I said no because there's a good chance she will do it far better than me !!! (Which wouldn't be difficult ) ....
ReplyDeletethat service point at gayton is kept clean by the local guides, there is a donation box on the wall. love your blog with the excellent photos
ReplyDeleteHi Clive. I didn't realise that the local guides looked after it , Good on them, and Neither of us noticed a donation box. We tend to get in and out of the services as fast as possible .. Maybe a visit to Specsavers is needed.. ... Gary
Deletelove to sit outside my boat is there not a glass missing
ReplyDeleteCarolyn was aboard Inca filling my glass when the photo was taken...Cheers !!!
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