Tuesday 27 November 2012

Enduring Buckby Flight

Heavy overnight rain cleared by this morning leaving us with that horrible fine drizzle that just slowly soaks you through. As the weather forecast was for more of the same we wrapped up warm, donned our waterproofs and got on our way.

There wasn't much sign of other boats on the move,we were soon at Norton Junction and round the turn onto the main line.The top lock of Buckby Flight was against us, a fair indicator that the rest of the flight would be. I think these may be some of the hardest locks on the entire canal network, after the narrow locks of Foxton and Watford the gates were, inevitably, going to feel heavy but even taking that into account these locks are hard work. In summer I have walked the flight but today I got back onboard between locks.

At the fifth lock we met a boat coming up the locks,the only boat we met today. As there was so little movement on the canal I left Ray sitting in the sixth lock while I dashed to the postbox which is just across the road to post Mandy's birthday card. I wouldn't be able to do that in the summer!

Ray stopped on the lock moorings below the bottom lock while I went to the chandlery for some milk, I decided I deserved chocolate after enduring Buckby Flight so bought a couple of Mars bars as well. No, I didn't eat both,one was for Ray.

We continued about half a mile beyond Whilton Marina and are moored sandwiched between the railway and the motorway. Homemade Scotch Broth warmed us up nicely.


Today's journey 2.7 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 838.5 miles, 661 locks,  54 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 30 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2040.2 miles, 1747 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 70 tunnels

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