12th July 2011 - Just like the working boats!

Back to my old ways! Off at 0645 on a quite cool (had to put fleece on) and very cloudy morning. Just the early morning wildlife was about.

Early morning wildlife:

Through the remains of Milton Keynes and into Wolverton. The mural looks like it's been redone since I was last here.

Wolverton Mural:

Working boat Mimas was also tied up here:

Very few boats about (as you can imagine) but as I was on final approach to the first lock of the day at Cosgrove, yes, you've guessed it, 'no name' was sliding off its mooring to work up with me. They stopped for water at the top and I continued through the ornate Cosgrove Bridge.

The ornate Cosgrove Bridge:

Onwards towards Stoke Bruerne, nothing much of note except the exceptionally slow narrowboat that I caught up, they were kind enough to let me by. I cynically thought they were letting me ahead to get the bottom lock ready, but no, they pulled over before then. I climb up to the first lock to see two boats waiting for the second, as the gates were shut I dropped the lock. Mistake. There was a working pair coming down, but too late, I was on my way up. As I was exitting the lock the pair obviously didn't know I was there, so there was a moment of touching steel before we both carried on. While I was waiting for the second lock, I noticed the lock behind me being operated. I went to look, but it was two boats, if only I'd waited! Well, they said there's another boat on the way up so one of them will join me. I set lock 2 and NB Inglewood appears. They suggest tying my boat to theirs while we lock up. I'd always wanted to do this (only I wanted to be driving!) so we did. Mrs Inglewood driving the 2 boats with Me and Mr Inglewood working the locks. Just like it used to be done.

Inglewood and Life the Universe breasted up:

All was going well until the 5th lock of the flight. There were two boats coming down, so I went to warn them that we were 'breasted up' so they could take the necessary actions upon exitting the lock. What actually happened was the first boat got its rope caught on the towpath side and the second drove all over the place before a two-sized gap appeared for our boats to make the way through. Apparently the two boats had just been bought at Blisworth a couple of miles ahead and this was the crew's first canal experience!

All four boats:

There were now boats descending the final two locks (who knew what they were doing) so life became easy again. The 'posy' top lock especially with all sorts of people wanting to help!

Stoke Bruerne:

I decide to carry on through the Blisworth (3057 yard) tunnel. It takes me 35 minutes, I have to pass 7 boats coming the other way and I don't get to see the ghost!

Blisworth Tunnel Entrance:

As I approach Gayton Junction a boat winds in front of me, then trundles along quite slowly. I don't mind as I'm looking for somewhere to stop, so they wave me through anyway! I pull up at Anchor Farm and so do they. I treat the petunias to more water and do some more dead heading. I wonder If I can better last nights dinner of stilton filled mushrooms and baked beans! Oh yes I can, chicken, chilli & garlic - yum!

Today:   15 miles -     8 locks -     7 hours
So Far: 496 miles - 387 locks - 248 hours