What a beautiful morning! We left our quiet mooring spot and made our way to Buckby Locks. We got into the first lock with another boat at 0915 and we worked our way down together. There was quite a lot of traffic and often it worked well with the boats crossing over, so gates being left open, etc. Some of the lock gates were extremely difficult to open/close, one of them taking three adults to move it and a few of them taking two. However, the weather was gorgeous by then, so that helped! At the last lock there were two boats full of sea scouts, enjoying themselves greatly on a two-day trip. We said goodbye to Steve, Meg and dog Tasha and continued on to Weedon Bec, where we arrived at 1pm. I made lunch while the cap’n nipped down the 48 steps towards the village in search of his newspaper.(Fortunately there were some left in the One-Stop shop.)
We cruised on then and although quiet at times, it was the same as usual: first, it’s always at the bridges that you meet a boat- or actually four, at some times today- coming the other way; secondly, that you can travel along without seeing another boat for ages, except at the narrow stretches of canal, then you meet one at exactly the same time as you are both passing a moored boat. I’m sure all boaters get used to that happening all the time.
Gayton Junction was very busy and as we waited our turn for the water, another came along to wait as well. At the same time three boats came out from the Northampton Arm and another just went straight on past. Last time we were here it was very quiet. We moored further down the Arm, ready to take on the 17 locks tomorrow.
Frederick on test, and the C&O canal
3 days ago
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment