Monday 3 September 2012 Northamption

Last nights mooring just above Barton lock was fine, The bank is much better than it looks in this photo. By the time we were about this morning K2 had left, well we are not the earliest of starters at 10 AM. It was a really busy day on the river, we met two boats in total and one came passed while we were moored up.
AS we locked up White Mills lock, which also looks a good possibility for mooring two low loaders crossed the tail bridge with excavators on the trailers. I did wonder what the weight load limit of the bridge is.
The lock has rather an interesting feature which looks like a large spring set into a recess in the wall, there is one each side just above the bottom gate, above them is a metal band which is infilled with wood.

The next stretch of river sweeps round in a gentle S and is quite featureless, so to show the line of navigation when the river is in flood posts have been set into the banks to show the line. They wouldn’t be of use today as the navigation would be closed before the water got that high.
At Cogenhoe the EA were in evidence painting the edge of the lock. Just above the lock use to be very good moorings but now the bank supports a series of No Mooring signs threatening prosecution.
As we passed Billing Marina we decided to go in for a look round, it must be an evil place to get into if the river has bit of a run on, turning right across the face of the bridge. There are moorings behind the Billing Mill which would suite cruisers but they would be bad news for Narrowboats rubbing on the cabin side, but it may be possible to moor to the bank just beyond the one to the right. The marina has visitor moorings but we were considering mooring to use the pub so I think I will ring them to see if its OK to overnight there. Billing Aquadrome has some interesting looking little buildings, I will have to try and find out what they are, maybe they are two berth log cabins?
Beside Clifford Hill Lock there is a large stone and information board. The board states that the inscription on the stone says “Honorable Spencer Compton Esq. Member of Parliament for the Town of Northampton for the Encouragement of Trade and Navigation Gave this Lock”. We carried on to The Wash, the horses on the approach to the emergency sluice were making the best of the EA information board.
Crossing the wash the water was quite weedy but it wasn’t long before we were heading through the sluice at the other end.
We were now back in the land of the chevron gated locks which you can leave open when you leave, this meant they were both against us. Rush Mill lock has concrete pieces sticking out just in front of the bottom gates, it also has a small recess just above the water level of the empty lock at the back of the gate recess, it looks to have something with a pin through it but I couldn’t make out what, unfortunately the photograph is not very clear.

Just after Rush Mill Lock there are a couple of sunken boats on the mooring but there is also a nice Ships Lifeboat conversion which is in need of some TLC.
The next stop was the EA moorings at Midsummer Meadow but there were two boats there already, luckily for us the front one was K2 so we are breasted to them for the night.

Sunday 2 Sept 2012 Barton Lock

Last night we had a very quiet night in the marina, it’s only about half full and all the boats are on 60ft finger moorings on a backbone that sticks out into the lake. I think quite a few of the boaters are live aboards and it looked a very social place with people gathering around the bows of the boats till well into the night. We weren't there during the evening as we were having diner at the Axe and Compass in the village. A new chef started a couple of weeks ago and he seams very good.

This morning we set of at our normal 10 o’clock with everyone wishing us a good trip and waving goodbye. After the first lock we met 5 Narrowboats so the morning started busy but we were to see only 1 cruiser all day. We passed the canoe hire base for Canoes 2 at Ditchford Lock. We shared this lock with an Australian couple who spend the summer boating and the winter back home. Diana told me after we had parted company with them at Wellingborough that the man was 76, I would have guessed at least 12 years less. We were to meet several of the canoes coming downstream heading back to base as the day continued.

Wellingborough was full of swans, we counted 100 in to large flocks. Just above Wellingborough, by the prison there is an old bridge that crosses a side arm. This arm must have been important once as the bridge looks as if the centre section use to raise on cables at one time. 
Hearing a couple of planes overhead I looked up to see a pair of biplanes going over.
We decided that we would try to moor above Barton Lock and as I entered the lock I looked round to my right to see that I was being closely watched. The were completely invisible to me until I was in the lock. Once clear of the lock we pulled into the bank about 20 yards above the lock moorings, leaving the lock was another surprise as our friends on K2 were moored about 100 yards ahead of where we intended pulling in.

Saturday 1 Sep 2012 Blackthorn Lake Marina, Ringstead

Last night we ate in the Kings Head and to say they were busy would be an under statement, they had warned us when we booked that they had a wedding in the restaurant and a BBQ party for 35 on the lawn, but it made no difference to the food or service. We went in at 7 30, the time of our was booking and were shown straight to our table, our drinks order taken and these were delivered minutes later. We didn’t have a starter so expected to wait longer for the main course, but it was on the table by 7 50 pm. When we finished the plates were cleared promptly and the desserts were something else. Would I recommend this place, you bet I would.

At 7 am this morning a Narrowboat style wide beam came up the lock, this is the first boat that we have seen who has not bothered to close up and then draw the guillotine as requested by the EA. Later in the day a hire boat caught us up and questioned this practice as he had been following them. I am not sure that the reason given by the EA for leaving them open holds water as the fish could just as easily swim out of the top gates. If you just leave the lock as is when you leave, boaters coming down would have the chance of finding the lock in their favour and you would reduce ware and tare on the mechanism by about 50% and also save electricity.
We set off at our normal 10 am. leaving the moorings empty, I bet they wont be like that tomorrow morning and we have met several boats heading downstream today. Wadenhoe seams to have more than its fare share of Buzzards and Kites. at one time I counted 7 in the air and on a couple of occasions they came in quite close. I am not sure what is trailing from this chap, it looks like a pair of jesses, but it could be a transmitter or even something in its talons. Of all the boats we have met today the majority were canoes from a company called Canoe 2 who offer one way trips, camping etc. We must have met about 20 of them today, We even saw 3 with dogs on board who looked as if they were OK with the idea. Todays destination is Ringstead as we are having diner with friends at the Axe and Compass in the village. Moorings bankside in this area are not scarce, they are none existent so we have booked for the night in Blackthorn Lake Marina for £10 a night including electricity, Its the first time I have booked a night in a marina, its just a pity I don’t have a hookup lead to make use of the electricity.

Fri 31 Aug 2012 Wadenhoe Kings Head

Last night was again a very clear moon light night and the temperature dropped to 6°C early this morning.
We set off at 10 AM in bright sunshine with a chilly breeze and looking back down the arm where we were moored you can see all the boats that really move, we were down beyond the red one at the far right and there are still a couple after that.

We stopped at Upper Barnwell lock to fill with water, while the tank was filling we took the opportunity to have a very hot shower, with the early finishes we have been doing the water has not been that hot in the mornings. Oundle Mill which stands right beside the lock is offering two for one meals on a Thursday night through August and September, they have their own moorings above and below the lock.

Today we have had some lovely light blue sky’s with wispy clouds. I have included a photograph of this boat because its painted by the same chap that painted our boat, he used the same paints and did to two years before ours and their paint is still not falling off. I am sure they don’t get it in when it rains and snows.
Although it was not overly hot today these cows seamed to be enjoying a nice paddle in the river.

I do wonder if anyone told the engineer that the top of the bridge and the approach ramp are meant to end at the same height, this bridge just below Wadenhoe needed a step fitting between the deck and the ramp so people could get over.

At Wadenhoe Lock there was no need to open the top paddles or slackers as there was about 9” of water standing over the tops of the gates. This led to quite a hull shampoo while we were working up, it even smelt like fabric softener or detergent.Just above the lock is the Kings head public house with lawns right down to the river, we have never been able to get a mooring here before, but today there was only one boat there and he left just as we tied up. On the lawn of the pub is a water point, the notice above it says it a joint project by the EA and the water supply company but on the actual waterpoint it says BW, I wonder if they will come and change it to CRT? I don’t think I wouldn’t use the length of hose provided that can be seen laying on the grass.

Thurs 30 Aug 2012 Ashton Weir Stream

Last night a little after 6pm a Narrowboat came round the arm, it was Ray who we had been on the outside of at Whittlesey, so now it was our turn to repay the kindness with him alongside us for the night.
Its full moon tomorrow night so I thought I best get a photo of the moon while the sky was clear. We then toddled off up to the Queens Head to eat. The place was full and unfortunately the staff just couldn’t keep up. After sitting for half an hour we still didn’t have any wine, I don’t know what time the starter arrived and then they had to go back for a soup spoon. The main course arrived after a reasonable wait but they had forgotten the water we ordered and also my knife and fork. Diana’s meal was not as described on the menu, they apologised and said she had received an old menu, but as we went out it was on the specials board as well. The food was cooked well and also well presented but it didn’t say I have got to come back.

This morning all the boat crews were about by 9-30 so Ray on the next Narrowboat and I discussed how we planned to get out, not being sure of the depth of water. However at the end of the day it all went fine with a good depth of water. Ray put his stern out while I pulled the bows round and he was away. I did the same thing driving the stern out and then Diana pulled the bows round with the crew from the cruiser giving a good push out after she was back onboard.

As we made our way up the Nene, a short way before Elton I spotted a Pelican sitting in a field by the river, goodness knows what he was doing there.

It wasn’t long after this that it started to rain and not just drizzle, but the real stuff, the rain is much colder now than it was a couple of weeks back. As Fotheringhay came into view it the sky was quite dark.
Last time we were this way a land owner was advertising plots for sale on the river bank, obviously sales have been going well with just 3 left. I wonder if they have permission for residential mooring.

Below Cotterstock Lock there has been a new mooring put in, its the first I have seen like this on the Nene and its for the use of boaters who are members of the Association of  the Nene River Clubs looking at their web site this is the first of their moorings, so sounds similar to the GOBA moorings on the Gt Ouse and can only be of benefit to us boaters, especially where moorings are in short supply.
We pushed on it the rain to Ashton Weir stream. The water discharging from the weir was building up quite a pile of froth until the wind caught it and sent it on its way. Just above the lock the weir stream runs off to the left and I backed down it until I could find a space. This looks as if its become the permanent home to several boats now with only room for a few visit boaters to get in. Needless to say it stopped raining shortly after we tied up at 2-30 pm.

Wed 29 Aug 2012 Nassington Queens Head

Last night we walked into the village and ate at The Cuckoo Pub.  The Cuckoo is quite a large pub/restaurant but was very busy for a Tuesday, the restaurant was fully booked and almost every table in the pub was also take, so we decided to eat in the garden as it was a fine but slightly chilly evening. The food was very good. I had Eddie Grundy burger(Wild Boar) where as Diana had the Venison which was very tender. Both came with an interesting selection of vegetables. They had Domebar and Summer Ale on the hand pumps at £3-30 pt.

The noise from the A1 was constant so not very disturbing overnight. As we were getting up this morning a Narrowboat was making its way down through the lock, I am not sure where he came from as the first lock we came to was empty and the walls dry.
We set off at 0945 on a fine but overcast morning, but it wasn’t long before the rain set in, we  met 5 Narrowboats, two of which were hire boats, I wouldn’t want a hire boat business on the River Nene.
At Wansford Lock there were three cruisers locking up so we helped them on their way and continued to Yarwell lock where we topped up with water. It was quite strange as the tap water was very warm and even after running it for some minutes it didn’t turn cold like water straight from the tap normally does. About half a mile above Yarwell lock there is a loop running off the river to the left at Nassington. You can’t go all the way round the loop as there is a low bridge across it and if you want to moor on the island it costs £15 a day. However if you go in the upstream end and work your way round with care as its quite silted up you come to about 150 foot of metal pilled quay heading at the bottom of the The Queens Head Hotel garden and that is we now are for the night. We arrived at 1340 hrs. and have been up to reception and booked a table for their steak night and checked that we were OK to moor here. Since we arrived it has been raining harder so it looks as if we stopped just in time.
Since I original wrote this we have been joined by two cruises from the Middle Nene Cruising Club who have tucked in behind us.

Tue 28 Aug 2012 Alwalton Lock

Last night the railway didn’t disturb us at all, maybe it was down to being a Bank Holiday.

This morning we were in no real hurry as we were booked to do Stanground at 2 pm. however the boat inside us who kindly invited us to moor alongside was booked for midday, so when the boat ahead had left we moved forward  so he could leave in his own time.

I then took care of a couple of small maintenance jobs. The rain fall recorder on the weather station had stopped working, reason a large spider had set up home inside the metering device building a strong cobweb under the seesaw stopping it from tripping back and forth. Sorted.
The other job was the 250 hr. oil and filter change, I left the engine running while I did the weather station to get it warm to make it easier to pump the oil out.

We set off at 1110 hrs. just as a boat was coming down who wanted our mooring so that worked well. As we were leaving the town there was a chap with a crawler repairing the track, he had a small Jack Russell who looked as if he would fall from the cab at any moment. Almost opposite where he was working was a single cow and calf, as you can see the calf has black ears and nose.

It was also at this point we met jet another boat, so Stanground  has seen 5 boats at and 4 in today, needless to say we were the last.
On the outskirts of Whittlesey there is a layby with a transport cafe, parked by it we saw this rather elderly chain drive tar tanker. The signwriting indicates it comes from Turves which is very local to the Middle Level.
We arrived at Stanground at 1 pm. an hour early so we settled down to wait, about 20 minutes later there was a call from outside, the was the relief lock keeper asking if we would like to go out now, so we did. In Peterborough we stopped to fill with water, we didn’t need much, but on the Nene you take it where you can. Just as we were leaving the chap from the boat we were moored against last night turned up and asked if he could share the next lock with us, which was no problem.
Orton Lock must be the most difficult lock to enter cleanly on the whole river, maybe even the whole inland waterway system. There is a long 3 bay sluice beside the lock and this sets up a rotating water flow below the lock, so for the last 50 Mt's you crab towards the lock, bows to the left and at the very last moment it all changes and pulls your stern that way instead. After the lock our friend left us to go to Ferry Meadows to moor. we headed upstream to moor just above Alwalton Lock. About half a mile before the lock we met this family in a blow-up dingy, I think the smallest child may have been wearing a buoyancy aid but none of the rest where, which looked like 3 kids, mum  and grandma.
We arrived at Alwalton lock at 4 pm and after working up the lock slid backwards into the weir stream for the night. There was a cruiser moored at the mouth when we arrived but he departed a little after 5 pm. I was very surprised how noisy it is here, but looking at a proper map I can see the A1 is not that far away.

Monday 27 Aug 2012 Whittlesey

After a somewhat shaky start to the trip we are afloat again. We almost reached Norwich when I remembered some important documentation that I needed so we had to go back home, then in March instead of turning into the retail park to fill with diesel I turned into the road that lead to the pub car park.

We had the boat loaded and were ready to go at 4 pm but I had to wait for three boats to pass before backing out of the moorings, well it is bank holiday weekend.
We set of on a dry but breezy afternoon, however at 5 pm that changed when the wind dropped and the rain started, it was to continue until just before we moored up at quarter to seven. It rained hardest as we were working up Ashline lock, after leaving the lock we went back to drain it as it should be left empty, we had almost finished when a Fox hire boat arrived below the lock so we opened the gats for them before leaving.
There were two boats already on the Whittlesey visitor moorings but the back one of the two invited us to moor alongside him. The following hire boat was not so lucky, as when he arrived at the moorings the boat ahead refused to show their faces and offer him the same hospitality.
By now there was a second Fox boat working up through the lock and they have done exactly what I would and stayed on the lock moorings all night.

Thursday 23 Aug 2012 Home

After an enjoyable meal last night, a chat with friends on K2 we left the moorings in March at about 1030 for the hour journey back to our moorings at Floods Ferry Marina. I was nice to arrive with no wind to make the right angle turn into our slot. When the wind is blowing its normally straight up or down the river which can make it interesting. We passed some small patches of the red/brown floating weed, but nothing of any size unlike last week when in places the river was covered side to side.

Wednesday 22 Aug 2012 March

We left our moorings on the Wissey at 9-30 as I knew the boat behind was also hoping to cross from Denver to Salters Lode. Out onto the Gt Ouse and turn right on a slightly chilly morning due to the fresh breeze. When we arrived at Denver I was somewhat surprised to see 5 boats on the lock mooring waiting to cross and one on the EA moorings opposite. I wish I had come down last night and moored on the lock moorings overnight.
We tied up and went to chat with the other boaters and as expected locking was due to start about midday. The Chaps were below the sluice with there floating bulldozer etc. but due to the very high tide they were unable to do anything as the water was to deep. The crawler excavator had beetled off up the bank and a good job to as the level section of bank he had made to work from was just lapping with the high water.

Around mid day the locky arrived and said there were two boats waiting to come from Salters and there were now nine waiting to go the other way, but he hoped to get us all across on this tide. It was some while before the water level dropped enough for the Salters Lode lock to operate but once it dropped a foot the dredging started. The floating bulldozer acts like a drag line pulling the spoil to the bank, this is then removed with a crawler mounted digger. The floating bulldozer is attached to the base of the digger with a long line and he uses this to pull himself in. There are more details on this system on their web site at http://www.adceastanglia.co.uk/News/Silt-Pusher 

In the end there was only one boat coming over from Salters so after that arrived boats were put through Denver lock in pairs, with one going straight into Salters Lode lock and the second waiting in the mouth. It was not long before it was our turn, we locked up with a Fox’s hire boat, the lady steerer was apprehensive but made a good job of the swing out. I waited until she was out into the river before slowly making my way out, the silt was now visible and the nearest obstacle was probably 60 to 80 feet in front of the lock, not much space to turn in. I went down the river on tickover and watched the Fox boat make a good turn into the lock, I had decided that due to silting at Salters I would cut tight round the marker putting the bows on the downstream wall and let the stern swing. When I got there it was a rapid change of plan as the Fox boat for some reason was still outside the lock and the gate was still open. Plan B, turn at right angles and slide up to their stern, by the time I had got round they were entering the lock, but I was on the mud. I backed off and dropped downstream backwards, it seemed to take for ever to get forward movement again and taking a wide sweep into the lock was able to stop just short of the closing gate.

We left Salters at 2-30 pm and I rang Marmont Priory lock to see if if I would be able to get through tonight as we would be late, Maureen gave us the thumbs up so off we went. Below Marmont lock the water was covered in duckweed but further down when a week ago it had all been red weed it was now clear. As we approached March the storm clouds were gathering and as we passed the railway bridge it was time to put our coats on. We pulled onto the town moorings at 7pm and went to our favourite Italian to eat

Tuesday 21 Aug 2012 Wissey

We were away at about 9-30 am down Brandon Creek to say goodbye to Andrew and Wendy who had go to get diesel.
We arrived at Little Ouse Moorings just as they were leaving, http://www.littleousemoorings.co.uk/  heading upstream to find somewhere to turn. We dropped into their spot at the diesel point and took on the best part of 100 Lts at 94p/Lt.  We also headed upstream so were able to say our goodbyes mid stream.

We plan to go through Denver Sluice and Salters Lode tomorrow so today is bit of a messing around day. We continued upstream for a couple of miles stopping to chat with some friends who have just taken a mooring on the way and finally winded by a derelict farm house.

On our way back we met Narrowboat Yarwood and received a salute from Joe as he dipped his exhaust as we passed. There was rather an interesting boat moored just upstream from The Ship which I think is an old British Waterways boat. My thoughts

is that it was once a hotel boat.

Once back on the Gt Ouse we carried on down stream as far as the River Wissey where we turned right and headed upstream as far as Hilgay. Just before we reached the town we spotted these three EA boats weed clearing, one of them is a weed cutter and the other two clear up the spoil and put it in the banks. They have quite a turn of speed and are very manoeuvrable being able literally to spin on the spot. After going under the old town bridge and just passed the visitor moorings we were able to turn to head back downstream to the very good GOBA moorings for the night. This leaves us in easy reach of Denver Sluice tomorrow morning.

Monday 20 Aug 2012 The Ship

Last nights informal mooring was very good, this use to be an EA mooring but the moorings were removed and it was re-piled a couple of years back, there is about 200 foot of hard edging now with a good depth of water.

We left at about 10 am and made our way back to the Gt Ouse where we turned right. The next port of call was the waterpoint at Littleport where we topped the tank up before heading on to The Ship  at the junction with Brandon Creek. The day has been mostly overcast and this morning the humidity was quite high, but as we sit outside The Ship  we can hear the harvest going on once again.
As we made our way downstream this chap seemed to be flying in very large circles and we saw him a couple of times.  lines, this is

Again the starlings were out in force sitting on the power lines this is only place we have seen them so there must be something attracting them.

We plan to eat in The Ship tonight with Andrew and Wendy  who arrived at about 4 pm from the Wissey. The only thing is the Landlord leaves on Friday and they are running very low on food stuff after having a cracking weekend, so we will see how we get on.