Calcutt

We had moored at Bascote Bridge so that we could walk into Long Itchington for the morning service at 9:30. It was a wet morning - a dismal, drizzle that would not fill very many locks let alone reservoirs!

Long Itchington Parish Church

It was a reasonably well-attended service, for a small village, with several small children. The people were welcoming (ish) and it was a Common Worship liturgy - despite our (mis?) reading of their web info which suggested a traditional form. A group of six parishes and other worship centres, served by four clergy.

On the way back we called at the Co-op for some carrots and also allowed ourselves a mid-morning treat of pastries - which we duly consumed once back on the boat and armed with mugs of coffee.

We did not hang about as we knew that Calcutt Locks are supposed to close at 4 pm, although we had already calculated that we did not need to go far beyond that for our schedule to reach Milton Keynes for our next reserved mooring.



Two Boats Inn - Long Itchington Wharf

It was a short run to the Long Itchington Locks, just a couple, which merge into the Stockton flight. Just before the Stockton flight there is a collection of old working boats.

Long Itchington Bottom Lock

After about four of the Stockton locks we saw that a boat was behind us - we had not spotted it at the bottom but perhaps it caught us up when we had to pass a boat on the way down - which always adds a bit to the timings. They were a pleasant Danish couple with a very small baby that was conveniently asleep through all these proceedings. At least the two steerers were able to work side-by-side between and into locks which made it a lot smoother. However, it is a lot busier when working two boats through - which proved too much for the cameraman, hence not a lot more pix!

We felt that we still had enough time for Calcutt and lunch so we stopped shortly after Stockton Top Lock for a reasonable lunch break.

Off again and the canal was becoming quite busy. We were behind a hire boat but not concerned - there were also a lot of moored boats to slow us down. However, as we crept passed a boat that was just stopping and not yet fixed, another boat came right behind us and started to mutter. As soon as practicable we let them pass and then they appeared to push past the boat ahead, making some excuse that they wanted to get through Calcutt before they closed - no matter that others ahead also wanted to do so!

We reached Calcutt just before three o'clock - a small boat and a (rusty) pan were waiting so it was clear that we would not be rushing the flight! Christine learnt that he the young chap had just acquired that pan and was taking it up one lock to a mooring where he would be converting it for a liveaboard and was quite excited at the prospect.

Eventually we, with the hire boat, made it into the bottom lock and soon after into the middle lock. As we were ascending, a boat came off its mooring and proceeded into the (empty) lock above. At least they waited for the hire boat (which was ahead of us in the queue as it were) to go up with them. This left us to wait for a boat on its own in the previous lock to join us - turned out to be a boat we had shared with yesterday.

By the time we were moored it had turned into a pleasant sunny afternoon! For once we had the chance to sit and enjoy!
 
5.1 miles - 13 locks