Oldies On Tour

Sunday 23^rd October

After another good nights sleep, we woke up to a dull and cloudy day which caused us cause for concern as today Mark, Paula, Tyla, and Ashleigh were coming on board for the day, and though they didn’t know it, to help us through the flight of locks; all 17 of them!!!!!

We skipped breakfast as we had arranged bacon baps for everybody when they arrived, in the mean time we prepared the boat for the “voyage”; all 4 ½ miles of it to Gayton, where we would part company after a Sunday Lunch at the Walnut Tree.

The family arrived around 1000hrs, delivered by Derek, Paula’s Dad, ready for their ordeal!!  We all enjoyed our bacon baps before we got underway.  The day was still dull and cloudy but at least it wasn’t raining. As we headed of towards the first lock, fortunately this wasn’t for a mile or so; everybody had a short “cruise” before the locks took over.  Travelling along the canal gave everybody the opportunity to see local familiar places from an unfamiliar angle and of course see the dilapidated remains of some of Northampton’s industrial past.

Soon after travelling under the M1 motorway we arrived at our first lock:  Christine, the lock Captain, took control of the team of “volunteers” and showed them how the locks worked and what had to be done and in which order things had to be done in.  This first lock was not part of the flight so we had the time without any distractions, to perfect “team co-ordination”.

Moving further along the canal and round the next bend and we came to the bottom lock in the flight.  We had to wait, as there was a boat already in the lock going up to the next level.  Eventually they were out of their lock chamber and heading towards the next lock in the flight.  We emptied out their water, drove in, filled the lock, and out again at the next level only to see the boat in front still waiting to go into their chamber; what had they been up to we asked ourselves, they should have been coming out, just as we were.  Our team performed like professionals and again, after the next lock we were waiting behind the boat, so approached them to see if they would let us pass, explaining we had to be somewhere!  This boat was manned by 3 elderly men, one who owned the boat but was giving it to his brother so wasn’t too interested in what was happening, the brother (new owner) and his crew “mate” didn’t know the front of a lock from the back of it, hence the slow speed.  Anyway, they allowed us through and off we went.  We got through the next 2 locks before they even got through 1.  Had we stayed behind them we would have missed our table booking at the Walnut Tree.

Everybody mucked in, Ashleigh amazed us with her strength; she managed to close one of the lock gates that Christine couldn’t manage!!! She also took the helm for a bit though at

one moment she turned about to look at something and we headed towards the reeds growing at the side of the Canal.  Tyla marched between the locks in the flight armed with the lock handle; not too sure she enjoyed using it along, as several of the paddle ratchets were very greasy and I don’t think Tyla wanted to dirty her hands!!!  Mark worked his socks off and Paula supplied all the moral support needed.  On this occasion when we did the flight of locks, she drove and I walked and did the locks; burnt off lots of calories I hope.

As we travelled up the flight we met several boats coming down but everything went perfectly and we made short work travelling the flight arriving in Gayton with sufficient time for a couple of Gin and Tonics before we walked to the Walnut Tree.

Gin seems to be a trendy fad drink these days with supermarkets selling numerous brands

from various “boutique” distilleries; naturally I had to join in.  Additionally, tonics have also taken off, “Schhhhhh” doesn’t do it these days, and so I bought some “Fever Tonic Water” tonics to go

with my Portobello gin.  I am not too sure the experience did anything extra for me, perhaps if I just had a pink gin or even gin on its own, things would have been different.

Time had come for us top take up our table reservation where we enjoyed a Sunday Lunch, albeit mid afternoon, with all the trimmings.  Mark and I declined desert: cheeseboard was our choice washed down with several glasses of Port,

Derek arrived to collect Mark, Paula, Tyla and Ashleigh after a very enjoyable and hopefully not too tiring a day. We said our goodbyes they drove off and we walked back to the boat. We stopped where we had moored earlier in the day at the junction of the Grand Union and the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union.  The other bonus was, it didn’t rain at all during the day!!!!!

Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd October 2016

Lazy start to the day, it’s good to stop, we walked to the town, and I had my nails done again. I really miss Spain for this, as thy do not last as long, they chip, they crack, never mind, I am sure when I get back Marianne will sort for me. Nails done, found Geoff in costa coffee, we then walked to the Micro brewery.

We had tried to go last Saturday, but they were closed, so today we were back, the lovely lady told us that tasting was on Saturdays only,how ironic we missed it last time. Anyway Geoff bought a nine pint barrel of beer, to share with Mark on Sunday.

Back to the boat, after dropping some laundry off to be done.

Saturday we walked to the Saints Rugby ground, and Geoff bought a new shirt, I managed to get a magnet, so both of us were happy. We left the ground, and walked over the road to get a bus into town, first time for a long time on a bus. Arrived in town to find that the market was there, plus a fun fair, the place was buzzing. We found a couple of books that we wanted at the market, then Geoff bought a new pair of trousers, last stop was Waterstone’s Geoff wanted a series of books by Geoffrey Archer, so having found them he has the whole series now, should keep him quiet.

We collected the laundry, and then realised we were missing one of Geoff’s shirt, too late to complain, shop is now closed, such a shame.

After showers etc., we went out with Hilary and Geoff, to The a Greyhound, it is a chef and brewer chain, and the food was lovely, we had a good laugh, and we will see them again in Dublin for the rugby in March.

Thursday 20th October 2016

We awoke early so instead of having tea in bed, we decided to get up, eat breakfast and away. We have a long day today, as we want to get off the River Nene. We left at 8.00am, Geoff wants to go to a pub he used to go to that’s why so early! still we have 12.5 miles and 13 locks to do they will be the killer. Most of the locks on this River are guillotine style which are those heavy plate ones, but at least there are no wheels to turn, just push buttons.

The weather today was beautiful, sunny and crisp, we have been so lucky, the trees are gradually turning golden brown, if I miss one thing in Spain, it is the beautiful scenery, and of course the family.

We finally arrived at the Britannia Inn at 2.00pm, I thought we might be too late, but we managed to moor up, despite someone telling us that it was too shallow, the Robertson’s were also there, so we sat in the sunshine enjoying our drinks and chatting to them, we also had a starter of bubble and squeak, slice of bacon, poached egg with hollandaise sauce, very nice.

Later we moved on, and all of a sudden it poured with rain, we both got

soaked, we were also in the lock so had to keep going, never mind, at the next lock we met up with the Robertson’s again, and we continued through the locks with them, stopping at Morrison’s for some odds and ends,

It’s 5.00pm we have at last arrived, I am shattered, we are off the River Nene yippee!!, back to normality, we met some walkers and chatted to them at one of the locks, and they said in all the time they had been walking they had never seen a boat on the canal, the fishermen said the same!, today they had two boats.

I cooked dinner, and early to bed I think.

19^th October 2016

We woke and had a leisurely “cuppa” in bed before venturing out to a dry but chilly morning.  Our aim today was for Christine to have her nails done and me to go and visit the microbrewery, hopefully to enjoy several samples before buying.

We left the boat in the same place it was on Saturday, only facing the other way round, so knew our surroundings and especially the Whitworth’s factory, still working around the clock!!!!

After our meager breakfast we headed into town, first stopping at the museum en route for Christine to try and buy a fridge magnet, “failed”, then off to find a nail bar.  This we did with ease and Christine went straight in while I went straight to the local Costa, enjoyed a Bakewell Tart with my coffee and read the newspaper. Some considerable time later Christine re-joined me and after she had a cup of tea and yes a Bakewell Tart, we headed off to the brewery, which our Google map said was 20 minutes away.

This Microbrewery, called “Hart Family Brewers”, is in an old factory complex that has

been turned into a boutique style shopping area with small, individual shops selling local products and unusual products plus arts and crafts etc., a rather pleasant environment, full of character.  Anyway, we arrived at the brewery only to find they only do sampling on Saturdays, in the week it is brewing and selling their products, oh dear.  What made things worse was we went there the Saturday before but we were too late and they were closed!!!!   The difficulty I now had was to decide which “ale” I should buy; they sold small 9 pint containers as well as bottles, but not being a bottle man it had to be a 9 pint job, but which one, that was the difficult question.

Anyway I bought their gold brew and on Sunday when Mark is with us, I am hoping he will help me drink it.

After our disappointment we headed back to the boat but not before we went into the Butchers shop selling the local meat and other local products.  We were both laden down, both shopping bags full and Christine’s ruck was also full; we had to stop for a rest half way!!!!

We sat, had a cup of tea with a piece of sharing cinnamon bun; we have only found this in Tesco and it is scrumptious, we love it

After dinner and as we had no TV, we started to watch a DVD but it wasn’t too good so we played crib again.; then off to bed as we were wanting to leave early tomorrow.

Sunday 16 – Tuesday 18th October 2016

Sunday was raining most of the day, so we decided just to stay put, clean up, and just relax and read.

Monday morning was sunny, so off we went, the man in the Marina said that the River Nene was lovely once you past Wellingborough, but we really didn’t notice any difference. The locks were mainly guillotine style, and if they didn’t have the electronic system, you had an enormous wheel, probably about 30 inches in diameter which you had to counter balance this large sheet of metal, it’s heavy weights, really hard work, it took ages to open the gates.

The scenery was changing less hills, more fields and open spaces. We did 12 miles and 12 locks, some of them were easy others were more difficult.

We had decided to go to Thrapston, hopefully to moor up and visit the town, the book said they have 48 hour mooring with all facilities, but could we find it, No, so we ended up at a sailing club out of town. Shame cos we were looking forward to seeing what was on offer.

Tuesday

Woke up to rain again, but we decided as we have only got a seven day pass, we have to get back, so we dressed accordingly, we had to turn the boat which was worrying me, as this river flows fast, and also is not very wide, being 60ft not an easy task. Anyway we went further downstream, found a spot and easily turned, I was quite relieved about that. We then started making our way back, met up with another couple who we shared the locks with, although we still found it hard as the wind was blowing the boat around, when we came out the locks, so we changed plans. I would help Geoff take the boat out secure it to the moorings then go back and shut the gates. As we were going upstream , we had to leave the big guillotine gates open, so after we shut the gates, I had to go back and either turn the wheel and open the guillitine again, or use my finger for the other kind, either way it took some time. I think the other couple got fed up with waiting for us, so they went on. We also stopped for a token for the sewage machine, which we bought at one of the chandlers on route. The weather improved about midday, the sun came out and we enjoyed the trip back.

We finally arrived back in Wellingborough and we were both pleased, out of all the things we have done on this trip, we were not impressed with the River Nene, there is nowhere to moor, mostly the river is overgrown and full of rushes, no pubs on the canals at all, hardly any boats, pretty scenery, but no character.

Struggled to get on the water mooring, as someone was moored in such an awkward spot, anyway we did it, filled up with water, at the same time as having showers, we also emptied the sewage, but messed the pipe up, so we had to notify the Environment Agencies, they are sending someone out! We moved further up the river, cooked dinner, and played cards, and I lost badly! Time to go to bed….

Saturday 15th October 2016

Lazy morning, didn’t get up very early, decided to go into Town, and

have a look around, but normal shops, nothing much of interest, so we had a coffee, and headed back, stopping at Tesco to stock up, not that we needed much. Whilst we were in there we bumped into Mark and Paula at the cashier desk, we are seeing them again on Sunday.

Back to the boat to wait for Martin Marian and Russell, we walked back to Tesco to meet them, we all arrived at the same time, not bad for timings. We had a choice for restaurants between Pizza Express or Beefeater, so we went to the later. The food was very good, we were all pleased with our choices, I had lamb and it was cooked perfectly for me. Russell and Geoff had puddings, starvation day tomorrow!

It was good seeing everyone again, and we had many discussions on politics, also should children get same number of years for serious crimes as adults? Many more subjects too, it was interesting, especially now Russell has changed schools and they are doing debating there. Geoff was his normal controversial self…..

We walked back to the boat, had a cup of tea, then we waved goodbye to everyone, Marian Martin and Russell are off to Barbados, Pat is going home, getting prepared for a hip replacement at the end of the month.

We walked along the riverside, and then into Nene Court, which has a number of small boutique shops, most of which were closed, even the brewery which was supposed to be open was closed. We were disappointed not to see anything, so decided to go home and watch strictly. It is now pouring with rain, hope it clears up by tomorrow.