Buckby Top Lock.

Ousted by boxes.........just as well!

Isn't it funny how things work out?

We arrived here a day ahead of schedule, we packed like demons yesterday until we could not move on the boat due to the piles of boxes and have had to transfer to the tow path or cratch for our meals.

This morning was a bit chilly for breakfast but we had to brave it as there is no room to set the table up inside.

Sitting there we could here this crackling noise start up which gradually got louder and louder and sounded like a bonfire.

This turned out to be the hedgerow going up in smoke next to the boat moored ahead of us.

Dashing down there with buckets and banging on their roof to get them out we all got it under control and then managed to put it out.

It seems they had emptied their ash bucket in the hedgerow last night where a not quite out ember must have smoldered away and suddenly burst into flames this morning.

Had circumstances not led us to being right there just when we were needed, that whole hedge would have gone up as it is as dry as tinder.

A salutary warning to make sure your ash is definitely out before dumping it!

Off to the Marina tomorrow...........Ooooeer.

Until next time....................

.

 

 

 

 

Willoughby To Norton Junction, 6 locks And 1 Tunnel.

 

 

 

 

It's nearly all over now......and out comes the sun!

 

Away we went on this our last real cruise. One last picture of the bridge that has managed to stay up in this state for the last two years.

 

One last shot of the approach to Marmite land.........

 

...........where the marina is full to bursting and waiting to fill the canals with weekenders.........


 

..................onward past the myriad of hire boats being made ready for the fast approaching silly season...........

 

........until we were back out into the country once again.

Not for long though as we still had to negotiate our final tunnel and make our way to.......

Norton Junction and Buckby top lock where - and this is typical - the sun came out with a vengeance.
Forgetting the packing for now, tables and chairs were put out on the side and we soaked it up.

Until next time.......................

 

.

Stretton Under Fosse To Willoughby...ish,

3 Locks And One Tunnel.

Nearly at Marmite land now!

Yet another trip through the strangeness that is the Newbold Tunnel, will they ever turn those lights off?

Wasteful or what?

Scooting along to Hillmorton, we find that the winter stoppage program has had BW changing all the balance beams on this lock but seemingly they could not find a pot of paint to bring them up to scratch.

It's not quite the same is it?

The second set of beams - from this angle - look like they could well and truly tangle themselves up

This is the marina that was going to be opened in Autumn last year.

All the plant has now gone and that looks like a very expensive hole in the ground!

We are now within shouting distance of Marmite land, aka Braunston - you either love it or you hate it - and the packing has begun.

When you start, you suddenly realise the enormity of the task ahead. Just exactly how much stuff can you cram onto a narrowboat over two years?

Boxes, we need boxes, many more boxes.

Until next time..................... 

.