Another very grey day but this time we had rain for the middle part. However, it did not come down hard so no-one was soaked. Also, for this time we were on the long pound through Blisworth Tunnel to the bottom of the Buckby Flight. This is not an uninteresting section although we are quite familiar with it now.
The tunnel came immediately we set off and at the other end we stopped briefly so that Mike could pop up to the village stores for a paper - we called there on several occasions.
The small village has several older buildings that have been well restored and their names invoke a memory of their earlier uses - in this case The Old Bakehouse.
Alongside the canal is a former pub, called the Sun, Stars and Moon but has been closed for some time. A sign indicates that it has now been sold and a planning notice indicates that it is hoped that it can be converted to 6 apartments. From the front this seems unlikely but from the side it can be seen that it is a substantial building. Its size does hint at perhaps a larger role than just a pub. The spare land will also be used to build three new properties.
Several horses in a field near the canal were being looked after by their owner - this one seemed to follow dutifully but perhaps it knew that food was coming!
What a strange tree! One wonders why the effort to camouflage it was made as it stands out almost a easily as if it was left bare like most others.
Hopefully this boat on land will be as well restored as several others moored alongside.
We had lunch 'on the go' so the next break in our cruising day was when we arrived early afternoon at the flight of seven locks at Long Buckby. The old building at the bottom looks as if it is being restored - it has become rather sad of late so this will be welcome as others above look splendid.
A boat had just gone up the first lock and they offered to wait for us at the second lock. We were able to share the rest of the flight. Although a hire boat, the couple on board had hired several times before but one week at a time. This year they had tried a fortnight and were very pleased with what they had managed to achieve. However, the steerer had not previously had the experience of moving the boats between flight locks with the boats alongside each other. (This makes entry into the lock much easier - if done one at a time the first boat usually drifts across the lock or a rope has to be taken ashore)
Several locks had new gates fitted this winter - we saw them waiting when we came this way in the autumn - and are now much better but one of them was found to have a weak wall only too late for a proper repair so this temporary fix was installed until something better can be planned. The problem no doubt is that it will involve a long stoppage as the wall is dismantled and re-built.
We noted this former railway signal in a garden in our blog last October.However, at than time the signal was set 'clear' but is now raised. Presumably the train has now departed!
At the top lock we quickly used the sani station and then waved farewell to our lock companions before passing through Norton Junction on our way to Braunston Tunnel.
After passing through the tunnel we arrived at the top of the flight of six locks. We thought about mooring part way but there was not a lot of room. Part was we spotted another entry into the Unusual Boats Gallery.
After leaving the bottom lock we sought a space to move. One came up fairly close by but as it would not have a tv signal and Andrew and Christine thought they could see a space nearer to the junction. So we went forward gently but when we reached that point it turned out to be an empty Long term Mooring. After some debate, as it was now so close to darkness it was decided to take a risk. If it really is needed then we will have to move. As the light really failed someone stopped to point out the error of our ways but we undertook to move first thing tomorrow!
20.1 Miles - 13 Locks
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