Stoke Bruerne to Northampton

We decided at about 11.00 that we didn't believe the forecast, which was for rain again. The sun was shining, so we set off.

A short hop and we were in the Blisworth Tunnel. For the benefit of non-boaters, tunnels are not dry, the water that pours down the ventilation shafts makes the average power-shower look like a feeble trickle. The sun was still shining when we emerged from the north end of the tunnel so after turning onto the Northampton Arm it was a quick stop at Gayton Marina to buy an EA key for the Nene locks and off down the Rothersthorpe Flight. A quick calculation, sixteen locks and about four miles, we should be able to moor at Cotton End about six. The best laid plans of mice and men, doomed to failure!

The Northampton Arm is a little used waterway, the reeds have been cut back and so the canal is littered with reed cuttings. These tend to clog our raw water filter and so the engine threatens to overheat. The only solution is to stop and clear the filter. This wouldn't have mattered if the day hadn't clouded over and by Lock 5  it started to rain. While we were in Lock 8, the engine temperature was rising so it was a stop to clear the filter and the heavens opened! After a short delay we carried on, the rain eased off and all was well, except that the ground was so slippery that I couldn't manage to get a good enough footing to be able to raise the lift bridge below Lock 10 so Ray had to come and rescue me. The rain was on and off through the remaining three locks of the flight, so feeling cold,wet and muddy I suggested we stop for the night at the first available spot.

Wishful thinking! The Nicholsons Guide mentions excellent moorings at Cotton End Wharf, what it doesn't mention is that there is nowhere sensible to moor before you get there! So we carried on, down through two more locks, through a lot more floating reed cuttings and the engine temperature started to rise, and the sky turned black, and the heavens opened and the rain came down so heavily it was like thick fog. We had no choice, we had to stop! We couldn't even see the bank clearly! My hero, Ray, steered for the bank and took a leap of faith, cleared the two foot fringe of reeds and landed safely rope in hand. He managed to get us safely moored. By this time we were both absolutely soaked.

I am at last feeling warm and dry, two hours after mooring. Oh, the joys of narrowboating!

Today's journey 6.6 miles, 15 locks, 1 lift bridge and a tunnel.
So far we have travelled 57.1 miles, 81 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.