Not a lot happening

We have moved every day this week but not very far and nothing noteworthy has happened so I haven't bothered to blog every day.

Wednesday was Mandy's birthday, my presents,  via Amazon and card, posted at Buckby Flight arrived on time so I was happy about that. It was quite a chilly day so we didn't travel far, we stopped briefly at Weedon for bread and milk then carried on as far as Bugbrooke for our overnight mooring.

Thursday was cold but beautifully sunny, I don't mind the cold if it is dry so I took the tiller and let Ray stay in the warm for a while. We pulled in just before Blisworth tunnel to check our tunnel lights then carried on through to Stoke Bruerne. Surprisingly,we didn't meet anyone coming through the tunnel but there were three boats in the tunnel heading our way. Blisworth tunnel is reasonably dry compared to some but the water was pouring down the ventilation shafts like a waterfall.

I was impressed to see a working blacksmith at the tunnel end, it's good to see craftsmen on and beside the canals. We moored at Stoke Bruerne for Thursday night and continued our journey down through the locks today.

This morning very frosty but again very sunny. We set off down through the locks,there is still a lot of water about from the recent rains. The water was flowing over the gates at the second lock like a waterfall. when we were partway down I realised that there was another boat following us so I reset the locks for him and we waited for him to catch up so we could share the last couple of locks. There was ice on some of the side ponds but none on the cut.

We met NB Vectis at the bottom lock, we have met them before around Rickmansworth. They told us there was ice on the canal near Cosgrove. We decided that if the canal is starting to ice up it was better to travel in the middle of the day and carried on to below Cosgrove Lock. At Cosgrove we encountered a meeting/photoshoot  of the Buckingham Canal Society and were included in their photos.

Since my last post we have travelled 19.7 miles, 8 locks and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 858.2 miles, 669 locks,  54 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 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 2059.9 miles, 1755 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 71 tunnels

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

Watford Locks and beyond

We braved the rain this morning to head to the services then down through Watford Locks. We decided to stop before we reached Norton Junction and the Grand Union mainline. Previous experience tells us that the visitor moorings at the top of Buckby Flight are often fairly full and Although my knee seems to be OK now I didn't fancy having to go down any more locks today.

We followed a couple from California on a hire  boat down through the locks, I felt like apologising to them for the English weather!

We think we will probably aim to reach Berkhampstead or Hemel Hempstead for Christmas. Berkhampstead would mean about 30 hours cruising which is only an average of just over an hour a day. Our main aim is to get beyond Tring summit as there is a closure at Marsworth just north of there from early January. The only other closures that could affect us are towards the end of January and into February. We can't plan for the weather of course.

Today's journey 2.4 miles and 7 locks


So far this year we have travelled 835.8 miles, 654 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 2037.5 miles, 1740 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 70 tunnels

Another day,another tunnel

This morning was still very windy but the rain had gone and we had sunshine, I'm still excused major boating duties but my knee is much improved so hopefully by tomorrow I will be feeling my normal self.

Today's journey was a straightforward one to take us to the top of Watford Locks. The fact that I was out of action didn't matter much as there weren't any locks, just cruising and Crick Tunnel to negotiate. Ray is still loving our new tunnel lights. We still haven't met any incoming boats in a tunnel so we don't know whether they are likely to dazzle incoming steerers.

We have the M1 for company now and it stays with us for the next few miles. Something obviously happened this afternoon on the motorway as the traffic was at a standstill. I'd rather be here than there!

Today's journey 5.6 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 833.4 miles, 647 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 2035.1 miles, 1733 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 70 tunnels

A little more progress

Last night was very cold, we put off moving until lunchtime in the hope of a rise in the temperature. It didn't rise much and within half an hour of setting off the rain started again, earlier than was forecast. I have currently opted out of boating duties as I slipped slightly yesterday, it didn't seem much at the time but my knee became increasingly painful and by bedtime was swollen up like a balloon so I am staying off my feet as much as possible.

I did keep Ray supplied with coffee but the rain increased and without my company he was feeling increasingly miserable so after only an hour and a half we were moored up again. We still haven't reached Yelvertoft.

Tomorrow is supposed to be dry so we will hope for the best, at least we aren't suffering the floods that much of the country is experiencing although the canal is getting very murky as the water runs off the fields and the fields are looking more waterlogged every day.

Today's journey 4.6 miles


So far this year we have travelled 827.8 miles, 647 locks,  54 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 29 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 2029.5 miles, 1733 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 69 tunnels

Backwards and Forwards

Last night the wind and the rain continued and we went to bed with the sound of the rain drumming on the roof. At about one o'clock I woke up to silence, no wind, no rain and when I looked outside I could see the stars. The day dawned clear and bright, not a cloud in the sky but it was distinctly chilly.

We didn't rush to be on our way this morning as Rachel had said she would ring us when the washing machine arrived and all we had to do was go to Welford to post Margaret's birthday card, turn round and head back to North Kilworth. Rachel rang as Ray was on his way to the postbox so we headed back to collect the machine. We left Merlin moored near the junction with the Welford Arm so it would be easier to turn Morgana back round when we reach North Kilworth Wharf. We decided to buy a new leisure battery as well so after fuel, washing machine and battery, plus two birthdays (Margaret and Mandy) we are officially broke until the end of the month!

We rehitched Merlin and carried on in the autumnal sunshine for another hour or so then moored for the night. I had hoped to get close to Yelvertoft but the clouds started to roll in and we were soon losing the best of the light. Tomorrow's weather forecast is OK until the afternoon so we should make some progress.

Today's journey 7.1 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 823.2 miles, 647 locks,  54 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 29 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 2024.9 miles, 1733 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 69 tunnels

The Welford Arm

After two days of rain today is at least dry, it is very, very windy however. We needed to move on because our diesel was running a bit low.so we braved the wind and headed for North Kilworth. For once we were both happy to have to go through a tunnel, at least it wasn't windy in there.

While we were moored for a couple of days we did the usual chores including the washing. My old faithful twin tub which we bought about eight years ago has decided that it is overworked, the spinner doesn't want to spin properly. As it only cost about £80 it has done well. When we stopped for diesel and coal at Kilworth Wharf I asked if they had one or knew where I might get one. Rachel very kindly offered to order one for me for next day delivery. So we have decided to take a short detour down the Welford Arm for tonight and go back to collect the machine tomorrow.

This is a new bit of canal for us, when we last travelled the Leicester branch of the Grand Union we didn't bother with this detour. We had expected to reach Welford as the arm is only a mile and a half long but the wind was so strong we gave up and moored after about half a mile.


Today's journey 4.7 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 816.1 miles, 645 locks,  54 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 29 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 2017.8 miles, 1731 locks, 110 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 69 tunnels