We are now back in Wellingborough. We made an early start this morning and made good progress even against the current. I am sure that if I had listened in Geography lessons in school I would know why the wind always seems less first thing in the morning.
We have decided that visiting Peterborough is off the agenda on this trip so on Friday it will be back to Northampton and then back to the Grand Union. We will have to plan a River Nene-Fens-Great Ouse trip next year but starting later in the year.
Tomorrow morning we will have to spend some time making Morgana as "child-friendly" as possible, then we can make room for our new sofa.
Today's journey 5.5 miles and 3 locks.
So far we have travelled 92.6 miles, 110 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
I prefer canals!
When we got up this morning the water level had dropped a little more but at it's current rate it would be over a week before we could get under the Islip bridge so we decided to head back upstream. I have arranged to meet Mandy, Tony and the kids in Wellingborough on Thursday so today's trip was back to Irthlingborough and tomorrow will be back to Wellingborough.
As with previous days the wind made life hard, we got blown into the shallows on one bend and had a head wind much of the way. That could happen just as easily on a canal but at least you don't have the same sort of current on a canal. Our poor little engine was working very hard and it took us about an hour longer to do the upstream journey than it did the downstream.
Tomorrow's forecast is for a much calmer day so the journey to Wellingborough might be easier.
Today's journey 5.6 miles and 4 locks.
So far we have travelled 87.1 miles, 107 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
As with previous days the wind made life hard, we got blown into the shallows on one bend and had a head wind much of the way. That could happen just as easily on a canal but at least you don't have the same sort of current on a canal. Our poor little engine was working very hard and it took us about an hour longer to do the upstream journey than it did the downstream.
Tomorrow's forecast is for a much calmer day so the journey to Wellingborough might be easier.
Today's journey 5.6 miles and 4 locks.
So far we have travelled 87.1 miles, 107 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
Monday, 5 April 2010
The best laid plans
We spent today doing not a lot and eating chocolate eggs.
The water level had dropped about 7cm overnight and another couple during the day today, not quite enough for us to be confident of reaching the next moorings. Then another narrowboater came upstream and told us Islip bridge was reading 1.6 metres, that left us needing a drop of over 40cm to have any hope of getting to Peterborough. We looked at the maps and debated our options, we reckon we have about five days to reach a boatyard before we have problems with our water and fuel levels. There is one not far back upstream and a marina just downstream too. Of course, all the time we are using fuel and water the boat is getting lighter and floating higher in the water. I'll leave you to follow that to it's logical conclusion.
We have decided to give it a couple more days to see what happens but are beginning to think we aren't going to make it to Peterborough. It looks as if we might have to wait until autumn to replace our chairs with our sofa, which is being delivered to Mandy on Wednesday. Luckily it is flat-pack, so hopefully they can put it in our car and it can sit there and wait for us. If we do turn back we hope they can come and see us on one of Tony's days off before the Easter holidays are over, so at least we will get to see them all. If not we may hop on a coach or train and pay them a visit.
We shall have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
The water level had dropped about 7cm overnight and another couple during the day today, not quite enough for us to be confident of reaching the next moorings. Then another narrowboater came upstream and told us Islip bridge was reading 1.6 metres, that left us needing a drop of over 40cm to have any hope of getting to Peterborough. We looked at the maps and debated our options, we reckon we have about five days to reach a boatyard before we have problems with our water and fuel levels. There is one not far back upstream and a marina just downstream too. Of course, all the time we are using fuel and water the boat is getting lighter and floating higher in the water. I'll leave you to follow that to it's logical conclusion.
We have decided to give it a couple more days to see what happens but are beginning to think we aren't going to make it to Peterborough. It looks as if we might have to wait until autumn to replace our chairs with our sofa, which is being delivered to Mandy on Wednesday. Luckily it is flat-pack, so hopefully they can put it in our car and it can sit there and wait for us. If we do turn back we hope they can come and see us on one of Tony's days off before the Easter holidays are over, so at least we will get to see them all. If not we may hop on a coach or train and pay them a visit.
We shall have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
High Water
The day dawned bright and dry, only a slight wind so after watching the qualifying session for the Grand Prix we set off for Islip.
The river was a bit high but with only about 20-30cm above normal levels we reckoned we had enough clearance under the bridges for our planned trip. All went well until the third lock where the river levels seemed to be up about 40cm, we slipped under the bridge with about 15cm to spare, the height board reading 2.3 metres. We re-checked the bridge heights and decided Islip was risky but that we should reach the moorings at Nine Arches near Thrapston. The bridges on that stretch had 2.6 metre clearances with normal levels and we had come under one that was 2.5 metres under normal levels.
When we reached Woodford Lock the clearance at the lock was 2.2 metres, we exited the lock and moored up. The old rail bridge was showing 2.1 metres, we had a quick measure, we reckon we are 2.07 above the waterline, far too close to risk it. We had three choices, turn round and go back, take everything we could off the roof including our new roof box or sit it out and hope the level drops. We decided that we would stay here overnight and reconsider our options in the morning. We don't really want to go back but even with everything off the roof we would still have the gas flue from the water heater to worry about so we would still be about 2 metres.
Ray took a walk back to Woodford Village to get some milk and coffee then we settled down to an evening of TV,with homemade pizza and jacket spuds.
Today's journey 5.5 miles and 4 locks
So far we have travelled 81.6 miles, 103 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
The river was a bit high but with only about 20-30cm above normal levels we reckoned we had enough clearance under the bridges for our planned trip. All went well until the third lock where the river levels seemed to be up about 40cm, we slipped under the bridge with about 15cm to spare, the height board reading 2.3 metres. We re-checked the bridge heights and decided Islip was risky but that we should reach the moorings at Nine Arches near Thrapston. The bridges on that stretch had 2.6 metre clearances with normal levels and we had come under one that was 2.5 metres under normal levels.
The height marker at the old rail bridge.
And here's a close up!
Ray took a walk back to Woodford Village to get some milk and coffee then we settled down to an evening of TV,with homemade pizza and jacket spuds.
Today's journey 5.5 miles and 4 locks
So far we have travelled 81.6 miles, 103 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Going nowhere
Today we haven't moved.
I woke up this morning feeling a bit off colour and by the time I was feeling a bit better it had started raining so we decided to stay here until tomorrow. I had already given up on reaching Peterborough by Sunday so I wasn't that bothered.
I've had a fairly lazy day, although I did make double chocolate cookies this afternoon. I think an early night is called for and an early start tomorrow.
I woke up this morning feeling a bit off colour and by the time I was feeling a bit better it had started raining so we decided to stay here until tomorrow. I had already given up on reaching Peterborough by Sunday so I wasn't that bothered.
I've had a fairly lazy day, although I did make double chocolate cookies this afternoon. I think an early night is called for and an early start tomorrow.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Why can't rivers be straight?
This morning all went to plan, we got the Morgana turned to face the right way and off we went. It was still very windy but not as bad as it has been. The main problem was that every twist of the river brought the wind at a different angle of course. We had just got used to correcting the steering to account for the wind and then we had to adjust it all again. Our journey continued without major incident, I was using the lock ladder to reboard whilst still in the locks, no problem.
As we approach Irthlingborough, our intended destination we could see the two bridges we had to negotiate to reach the moorings. The first one, the A6 bridge, nice and high, straight through. The second one is a beautiful 14th century arched bridge, the height boards were reading 2.4 metres, we are less than 2 metres above the waterline, no problem, through the bridge easily. Problem - there is a very sharp left turn after the bridge followed by a sharp right. Ray managed to get the boat turned but, you guessed it, the wind just carried us on sideways to the reeds. Luckily there is still plenty of depth and we were able to creep along the reeds until we were able to make the right turn. There was loads of space to moor by Rushden and Diamonds Football Club so we stopped.
The next moorings are about half a day's cruise and as the weather forecast for the afternoon was for stronger winds and rain we decided to stay here. We will probably head for Islip tomorrow, which will leave us about 22 miles, or half an hour by road from Peterborough. Unfortunately, by boat it is 34 miles and 22 locks which is about 18 hours!! I don't think we could manage that on Saturday, even if it was glorious weather and midsummer!
Today's journey 3 miles and and 2 locks.
So far we have travelled 76.1 miles, 99 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
As we approach Irthlingborough, our intended destination we could see the two bridges we had to negotiate to reach the moorings. The first one, the A6 bridge, nice and high, straight through. The second one is a beautiful 14th century arched bridge, the height boards were reading 2.4 metres, we are less than 2 metres above the waterline, no problem, through the bridge easily. Problem - there is a very sharp left turn after the bridge followed by a sharp right. Ray managed to get the boat turned but, you guessed it, the wind just carried us on sideways to the reeds. Luckily there is still plenty of depth and we were able to creep along the reeds until we were able to make the right turn. There was loads of space to moor by Rushden and Diamonds Football Club so we stopped.
The next moorings are about half a day's cruise and as the weather forecast for the afternoon was for stronger winds and rain we decided to stay here. We will probably head for Islip tomorrow, which will leave us about 22 miles, or half an hour by road from Peterborough. Unfortunately, by boat it is 34 miles and 22 locks which is about 18 hours!! I don't think we could manage that on Saturday, even if it was glorious weather and midsummer!
Today's journey 3 miles and and 2 locks.
So far we have travelled 76.1 miles, 99 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Lez and Ray and a very windy day
When we woke up this morning the wind appeared to have dropped, so we decided to head for Irthlingborough where the next recognised moorings are. About fifteen minutes into our journey the wind began to gust making steering 'interesting'. We managed to get through the first lock without too much difficulty. Luckily it is acceptable to leave lock gates open when you leave a lock on the Nene so I was able to get on board in the lock. Trying to fight with the wind to reach the lock landing would have been virtually impossible.
The next two miles to Ditchford Lock were a battle, including a close encounter with a willow tree. We collected a few twigs from where it overhung the river but managed not to entangle our chimney or satellite dish in it. When we arrived at Ditchford there was another tree which forced us towards the left bank to avoid it. The lock moorings were on the right, as Ray turned towards the moorings the combination of the current and the wind slewed the boat sideways and carried us across the lock entrance. Boats don't fit through lock gates sideways! After a 'heated debate' I took the bow rope and pulled us round onto the lock moorings, however this meant we were now facing upstream when we wanted to be travelling downstream.
As we were both now very cold and stressed we decided a cup of coffee was called for. The wind got worse and we decided to stay put. Tomorrow morning we should be able to push the bow out whilst holding the stern rope and let the current turn the boat to face the right way.
My day probably won't get any better as I expect Arsenal to lose to Barcelona tonight.
Today's journey 2.7 miles and 1 lock.
So far we have travelled 73.1 miles, 97 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
The next two miles to Ditchford Lock were a battle, including a close encounter with a willow tree. We collected a few twigs from where it overhung the river but managed not to entangle our chimney or satellite dish in it. When we arrived at Ditchford there was another tree which forced us towards the left bank to avoid it. The lock moorings were on the right, as Ray turned towards the moorings the combination of the current and the wind slewed the boat sideways and carried us across the lock entrance. Boats don't fit through lock gates sideways! After a 'heated debate' I took the bow rope and pulled us round onto the lock moorings, however this meant we were now facing upstream when we wanted to be travelling downstream.
As we were both now very cold and stressed we decided a cup of coffee was called for. The wind got worse and we decided to stay put. Tomorrow morning we should be able to push the bow out whilst holding the stern rope and let the current turn the boat to face the right way.
My day probably won't get any better as I expect Arsenal to lose to Barcelona tonight.
Today's journey 2.7 miles and 1 lock.
So far we have travelled 73.1 miles, 97 locks, 3 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 1 tunnel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)