Welford Junction

Today's Canal - Leicester Arm

The weather changed again today - no rain but sunny skies all day. At times it was as warm, even hot, as it was last week.

We had about half an hour's run to the bottom of the Watford flight of 7 locks. The four locks in the middle of the flight are built as a staircase with rather short pounds elsewhere. As a result the lock keepers have a busy time regulating traffic as a simple one or two up and then one or two done (as used to be the rule) could lead to the build up of long queues and frayed tempers.

Nearly time for us to go!

As it was, with the Crick Boat Show this weekend, there were plenty of boats wanting to go up and few coming down. When we arrived we were third on the lock keeper's list (you have to book in with the keeper er as soon as you arrive to keep a place in the queue. However, two boats had moored, probably overnight, just at the end of the lock landing and seemed to think that they could insert themselves into the queue just as they wished. Fortunately for them - and not for us - the keeper did not spot this anomaly in the stream of boats coming up although when we did start it somewhat surprised him as he found us on his list!

Once started the locks are well maintained and easy to operate, especially with three (volunteer) lock keepers keen to offer assistance.

The locks each have a large side pound to increase the amount of water stored for each lift.

The water is let out from a lock first goes into the site pond which is then used to help fill the lock below. The two paddles for each intermediate set of gates on the staircase are colour code: "Red before white and you'll be all right!"

It's a long way down there

We emerged from the top lock about 50 minutes after starting. There is a water point alongside the keepers' hut and as we did not fill up yesterday we thought that it would be a good idea to do so whilst we could. (Actually we later remembered at least one water point further on that we have used in the past)

As a result of these enforced delays we opted to have lunch 'on the go' which included the second half of Christine's delicious vegetable soup (see yesterday).

Not long after the locks come Crick Tunnel. Not as long as Blisworth or Braunston, it still takes a while. We were hard on the stern of a rather slow boat as we reached the entrance so we had to keep well back to avoid running into it in the dark. (It is not easy to see from the steerer's position)

Pictures inside a tunnel are really quite boring and do little other than to prove that you have been there. However, they are obligatory so here goes.

We soon passed through the site of the Crick Boat Show. Plenty of boats have already taken up their allotted mooring spaces - some are quite a distance from the main events. A temporary bridge has been constructed to allow those moored on the towpath get get across without an even longer trek back to the nearest permanent bridge.

The canal now meanders around several small hills and avoiding dips in the ground. As a result you see the same landmarks - including the popular Crack's Hill - from several different directions.

There was then no real big event as we happily cruised the afternoon away. No locks, no swing bridges just needing to keep a careful eye for boats coming the other way, usually at bridge holes!

Spotted a rather spectacular dead tree. Sorry about the electricity lines in the background but not much we could about that.

As yesterday, we saw quite extensive oil see rape fields - some farmers seem to do little else.

By the time we reached Welford Junction, where there is a known good mooring stretch (several boats were already there) we felt that it was too uncertain and rather late to go up the short Welford Arm today, even though we had hoped to get there in time to see if the village shop and a newspaper left. Mike continued with his mission to polish the brass mushrooms - they are coming along well but still need plenty of elbow grease to remove all the stains and scratch marks. He also fitted a new seal to the second Thetford toilet cassette.

Christine walked in search of sunshine - we were a bit in the shade on the mooring and found a rather convenient bench overlooking the Junction.

14.8 Miles - 7 Locks