Well noisy in Wellingborough.

We were preparing to leave when we spied a boat coming up the lock. By the time they had entered a couple of boats had come round the corner from our direction. Luckily one was stopping at the marina.

We are now in the land of the guillotine lock at the bottom of the lock, fortunately electrical driven so far. Our lock buddies had only bought their boat two days ago and were heading to Bedford to live aboard. They had left Whilton Marina yesterday! They were not as bad as yesterday's couple though

The river passes more gravel pits with plenty of bends to navigate.

At Earl's Barton Lock there were some 'wild' horses manning the footbridge to access the offside of the lock. As they had very young foals with them they seemed to get a bit frisky if you tried to pass them on the restricted bridge. Consequently we only used one paddle!

Just before Doddington Lock is Hardwater Mill and it is where Thomas a Becket hid after fleeing Northampton Castle.

The river widens out as it pass through this wide section of the valley. There are very few places that you can get close to a bank to be able to get ashore. The village of Great Doddington is on the ridge above the river.

On a day like this, nice and sunny, (although it doesn't look it in these photos) may mean another day where the gas fired power stations need to be flashed up, especially as there is a good wind blowing too. Why is it that there are no sheep or goats grazing in the same fields as solar farms.

As you approach Wellingborough the old Whitworth's Mill that was built in 1866. They then had a tie in with Weetabix in 1932 through their manager. In 1936 they milled and sold their own branded flour. In the 1950's and 60's they got into dried fruit and the home baking market. In the 1970's the Queen Mother, and the Queen herself gave Royal Warrants to the company.

We had been thinking of mooring at Wellingborough but the noise of the mill put us off, so after heading into town to have a look around and some shopping we moved on. Just after Lower Wellingborough Lock we were asked to rescue a remote guided model boat. We did but I advised the uoung people that if they smoked less weed they may be in better control. The atmosphere was heavy with it!! We passed under the London St. Pancras East Midland/South Yorkshire line that is being electrified, slowly. The local name is 14 Arches viaduct, but actually there are two lines on two bridges so I suppose it should be 28 arches Viaduct.

Just a little further on from the previous photo was another Friends of the River Nene mooring and there was only one boat there so we tied up. The mooring is close by the Nene Valley Water Ski club and there were plenty of  jet skis whizzing about as well as ski boats.

There is a bit of road noise from somewhere and the occasional rumble of trains from the viaduct but otherwise it is a lovely spot. There is TV and internet too. What more could you ask for. Day two on the Nene.