Saturday 21 March 2009

Buckby to Stoke Bruerne (part 2)

Saturday 14th March 2009

After leaving Andrew Denny talking to Alan and Frances of Lazy Days we continued south along the Grand Union, passing the remains of a narrowboat sitting in a field just north of Weedon.



Half an hour further on, at Nether Heyford, were motor Edgeware (sic) and rudderless butty Balham.


And five minutes later, sporting an out-of-place outboard engine, Dee.


At 17:15 we reached Blisworth, with its imposing mill, which looks as though it's been converted to flats.


We were definitely going to make Stoke Bruerne before dark. But only just. We popped out of Blisworth Tunnel at 18:00, the boat having had a good wash from all the water gushing from the roof and sides. (My Aussie hat kept me nice and dry!) There was a long line of moored boats which started not much beyond the tunnel. We went past a space near the beginning of the line, but I guessed that there would be another space nearer the village. I was wrong. Rather than reverse back we continued down the first lock and tied up outside the Navigation Inn at 18:30. For tea we took advantage of the "two meals for a tenner" deal at the Navigation: the liver and bacon (or was it liver and onions?) was good. My father had the steak which was a bit chewy. Back on board it felt like 10.30 pm, although it was only 8.30. The effect of our 05:30 up time! We got an early night, and I set the alarm for 06:00.

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