2nd and 23rd May: Arriving and Leaving

We arrived with fully loaded car on Monday evening. As always it took a couple of hours to get unpacked and sorted. On Tuesday we paid our mooring, filled up with diesel and set off under disappointing grey skies. The Buckby locks are closed for inspection so we knew we couldn't get far but at least we could make a start.

This tight bend did have a high hedge and sheep field inside it but is now being dug up for, we think, a (much needed) bypass of the A45 round Weedon. It looks like there will be a bridge here, taking the road over the canal and the railway which practically touch on this bend.

After about three miles we stopped, a bit reluctant to go too far and find ourselves without a mooring space in the inevitable logjam below the closed lock flight. Robin changed oil and filters and the sun came out. This stretch of canal snakes along between trees and high hedges. Its not the prettiest and you can hear the M1 but in dappled sunlight it felt very lush and secret.

The towpath felt like walking inside cloisters; covered over and only open on the one side. It was as quiet as cloisters too today.

We may or may not get through the Buckby locks tomorrow. A passing boat said they won't be open till 2pm and there'll be a long queue. After that its to the chandlery in Braunston for a new chimney and other boaty essentials.