no civilisation, no signal !

Hello, we have a signal at last! We have been around the Braunston area, where it seems electronic telephone signals do not work, or at least only fleetingly. We have now moved closer to civilisation (Banbury to be precise) where we now seem to get a signal. I will update the blog in the next few days.

Blisworth Tunnel

Grand Union Canal, Norton Junction, 1 tunnel, 7 locks,  15 miles

The Blisworth Tunnel, Wednesday.

Well that was an experience! The Blisworth tunnel takes about 30 minutes to go through, it is dark and at times there is water pouring down through various vents and gaps. Lynne spent most of the time inside making sure the dogs were ok. We had the curtains closed and the lights switched on. I had the boat’s headlight on so I could see where we were going, just! There is room in the tunnel for two boats to pass each other, with only a few inches to spare. This was a test for my helmsman skills indeed. We passed one boat perfectly, then just before the end of the tunnel another boat appeared. I had our boat perfectly positioned a few inches from the right hand side of the tunnel, but “thump” the other boat clipped the side of ours. Their skipper shouted “your headlight is too bright! I think he was just covering his own embarrassment.

Checking out the tunnel with some of the crew of Brumpoolie before setting off.

Off we go into the unknown!

We made it!

After the tunnel, we had decided to moor at a small place called Weedon Bec. As we made our way there, I spotted a yard selling cheap diesel. So I managed to stop the boat in time and moor up. Lynne took Minnie off here and walked her along the towpath. I would catch her up later in the boat. The diesel was only 88p a litre and the boat took 30 litres to top up. There was also cheap coal and wood, so we got 2 bags each of wood, kindling and coal (smokeless of course) After paying, we set off again to head for Weedon Bec. We arrived at about 4pm and moored up for the night. This spot was beside a Onestop convenience store, so I went off to get some provisions. We were also beside a main rail line, and although the trains were frequent, we quickly got used to the sound. It was only for one night anyway.

Thursday, and we set off for Norton Junction and our next overnight stop. To get there we had to go up seven locks in total.  The weather was still pretty bad with the rain constantly starting and stopping. When it rained it was either persistent drizzle a heavy downpour. Again Lynne was doing the locks while I steered the boat. As  the locks are wide locks, it is best to share with another Narrowboat. This saves on water so it is important to share if at all possible.  Lynne had walked the short distance ahead to set the lock, while I untied the boat ready for the off. As I was doing this another boat passed and asked if we were doing the locks. Perfect,  we had someone to share with. It also meant of course the work is shared between more people,  and it makes it easier for Lynne. Seven locks later, we had reached our destination. The mooring spots are just after these locks, we tied up for the night. At the top lock Lynne spotted the craft shop she wanted to see. And I spotted a nice pub. Sorted.

On Friday we are off to Braunston, up some more locks. Braunston is one of the oldest established canal villages on the network. Lot's of boaty things happening here. We intend on staying here for a few days while we get a new inverter fitted.

We finally move off

Grand Union Canal, Stoke Bruerne, 7 locks,  9 miles

Before we set off to cruise the canals, we said our farewell to Paul and Val. They have been very good to us and have become good friends. The help, advice, support and friendship they have given to us in the short time we have known them, has given us the confidence to enter the world of living on a boat. They are both finishing their own jobs soon as their contracts have ended. So they will give us a call in a couple of weeks to see where we are. Maybe we will meet up again soon.

Paul and Val with me and the three doggies

On Saturday, we headed off to Wolverton. This is our first short stop. We took on water first as we passed the water point at Cosgrove.

After staying a second night at Wolverton because of the heavy rain, we then moved on nearer to Stoke Bruerne, the bottom locks. Although the weather was gloriously sunny,  the rain from the day before meant that their was lots of water overflowing from the nearby river Ouse. This was causing problems in steering the boat, in particulay when passing weirs. The water flows beside the weirs, pushing the boat firmly in a certain direction. Along with the wind, the boat took some determined steering and concentration to keep us on course. I also seeked to loose some power after about an hour. I suspected that something had caught around the propeller to cause this. And sure enough we had a plastic bag wrapped around! This was removed once we stopped by sticking my arm done the weed hatch to remove the offending article. A boat moored next to us that night had a similar problem. But they had some ladies underwear round their propeller. Washing can fall in the canal if you are not careful.

Tuesday morning and we are off to Stoke Bruerne. There are seven locks altogether to take you to the top of the hill. Each lock raising the boat in height until we were 56 foot higher at the top. The overnight rain had stopped at first, but by the time we got to the top lock it was pouring down from the heavens. Because of water shortages (yes I know it's hard to believe with the rain we are having) some of the locks are only open between 10am and 3pm each day. So we set off at 10am today, first boat into the locks. Lynne does the locks while I steer the boat, The locks are hard work, but Lynne prefers to do things this way, she will not touch the steering. Ah well! There are always other people to help at the locks, plus many of the flights of locks have volunteers or lock keepers working the locks each day. We had one helpful chap who done all seven locks with Lynne.  

Stoke Bruerne is one of the oldest and longest established canal villages and it attracts many visitors each year. People who come and look at the boats are known as “Gongoozlers”. We were Gongoozlers once. The area around the top lock is certainly very picturesque, with two lovely pubs, nice gift shops, and the National Canal Museum.

Tomorrow we are off through Blisworth tunnel. The tunnel is wide enough for two boats, has a bend in it, is in complete darkness,has water coming down in places and is 3075 yards long. It takes half an hour to go through. Should be interesting!

PS I'll try and upload more pictures,but the internet connection is poor here.