Wafting past the Wharfs

 Thursday 19th September

Not quite such a great day when we got going, a little dull. The craft store was open though. 

This used to be the Crown and Anchor pub until 1934 when it lost its licence. I wonder if it had anything to do with the Anchor Brewery that was on the off side behind the camera nearer to the bridge.

As we are waiting for the lock to fill we can see the West Coast Mainline and the M1, a true route of the ages. As we were entering the lock a boat came round the corner and we had a partner to the bottom. 

Just down from the lock was this area of collapsed wall. I think it was from a wharf that was originally to serve some lime kilns and then a general wharf.

The canal cottages at the bottom of the Buckby flight, on the east side are a nice set of buildings. I particularly like the entrance that goes under the houses to the rear.

I think this is the new bridge over the canal and the west coast railway. Matthew Elson was on his way to work on the A45 when a car on the other side deliberately pulled on to the wrong side in a bid to commit suicide it seems. He survived but Matthew did not. Matt worked for Balfour Betty and they erected this plaque and bench below in his honour. The other man got 8 years in prison!

The aptly named James Barge was the wharfinger here in the 1810's. In 1910 an FMC steamer towing a barge drove over a pleasure boat that was moored on the wharf, 'Dog Rose' and it went to court. It seems that there were doubts that the boat had been moored fore and aft properly and as the steamer and barge were drawing 3'8" they wouldn't have got closer enough to the side to sink it. Seems like dredging was lack even then. The court found for FMC.

I must say I agree with the sentiment displayed on this sign.

The cloud finally burned off and another lovely day was had wending out way around the Northamptonshire countryside.

Can anybody tell me what the thing is that sticks out from the arm just below the wire itself. It looks like the head of a rake, or a liner of that stuff they put out to stop birds roosting? I thought it may be to run small communications along, a communications aerial, lightening conductor, but would love to know as I have never noticed them before.

This is Banbury Lane Bridge No. 43. Banbury Lane is an ancient track way and made up part of the route from the east to west coast. It crosses the Nene at Northampton and the Cherwell at Banbury before connecting up with the Cotswold Ridgeway. It was probably the route for taking wool to the Wash ports for export and then moving animals to markets to the south. We will meet it again later in the trip.

We moored up just after Bridge 43A, another one put in to cross the canal and West Coast Main line to take another level crossing out of use. Once again we got the chairs out and continued with my book.

A Long Day

 Wednesday 18th September

The day didn't start too well as a hire boast coming round a bend took it too close and at the same time saw another hire boat approaching and did the classic 'full astern', just about the worst thing to do and of course bashed straight in to me. Then to maker sure they compounded the error put their tiller the wrong way and scraped right down the side. Luckily no real damage done just boot topping, and they did apologise. There were no boats behind us when we approached Braunston Turn, but one appeared from Hillmorton way but stopped at Midland Chandlers. 

Always a point of where you wonder what you are going to meet as you approach the junction. Pretty quiet today, and no dramas.

There appears to be a black swan around the junction. These are native to Australia and have been introduced as ornamentals. However they seem to enjoying the weather as in the last 25 years the population seems to have increased by around 75% and the range has expanded by over 700%. No wonder there is one here then.

We stopped to top up with the water at the elsan point as we could see a boat on the stop house tap. We were soon on our way and passing the old toll house. It had been up for sale in July estimate of £220,000, but can't find what it went for in the end. It had been up for auction in 2021 but due to the uproar it was withdrawn.

As we approached the marina entrance a boat came out with nobody forward and no sound signal. No problem as they pulled back when they saw us. I was surprised though when I saw it was a training boat! When we approached the bottom lock a chap from a boat waiting to go up ahead came back to advise us that there was no room ahead so we should more in the space next to us rather than mill about in the way. He was from a coal boat going up with an hire boat. The old pump house is looking good.

When our turn came we found we were sharing with the training boat with two South Africans under tuition. I can't say I was impressed with what they were getting for their money and it was very slow going, mainly due to the hire boat ahead who had no idea, plus low pounds etc. 

Slowly but surely we clawed our way upwards. I must admit I did lose my patience with the trainer, but did apologise to the South African couple. It took two and half hours to get to the top lock!

We met four boats in the tunnel which is always pretty dry. Three of the boats had those LED lights that have no beam but give off a diffuse light so you get dazzled. They weren't even pointed to the side as a tunnel light, but used more as a head light. Then two of the boats, new to me, had the crew sat at the bow with a radio calling back to the helm info about where the bow was in relation to the side of the tunnel. I had never come across this before and then to meet two doing the same thing. Maybe they had been warned I was on the way through!

The old toll cottage at Norton Junction is still looking nice, but I'm not surer whether it is private or a rental. I suspect a rental as it has the shepherd's hut in the garden that will add numbers that can sleep there. One lived in by the Salvation Army Boat Missionarys, The Fieldings.

We carried straight on, along the main line. This selfish person taking up a mooring place. It isn't one of those boats that was undertaking a art project by carting a few trees about in London, is it? I wondered where they went?

We went down the first Buckby Lock on our own and found a mooring in the long pound before the crafts shop. I love seeing the age of things. I suppose it also makes a point for C&RT that the infrastructure they have in their care is not new by any means.

We moored up and once again got the chairs out and I even read a book, or started it at least.

Boat Wellness.

 Tuesday 17th September.

We finally found a window of opportunity to get away on the boat., after a full-on ten days of Heritage Open Days, history walks and events. We got to the boat about 14:00 and we were soon unpacked and found the boat all intact, and as we left it. We were soon out of the marina and heading towards the locks.

First lock at least is in the sun.

The sun is still shining when we got to the top...

...... and as we got to the junction and turned left, and until we moored up by after Bridge 102.

The sun was still shining, so we got the chairs out and read as we let the shore based life drain a way for a while. A lovely first day. Just what the Doctor ordered.