Back to Norton Junction

Somehow everything became so busy yesterday that I forgot the blog post!

We locked up the last two on the Stoke Bruerne flight and topped up the water tank before heading towards Blisworth Tunnel.  The Cheese Boat was moored above the flight.  Actually Jan thinks there is more than one cheese boat?

With nothing coming towards us the passage through Blisworth Tunnel was quite quick.  It was still wet inside but like last time I again managed to manoeuvre around the “gusher”.  Jan sensibly stayed inside the cabin.

On approaching Blisworth I was somewhat surprised to see a boat ahead of us as the tunnel had been clear.  Then the boat started reversing on the other side of the bridge hole.  As we got closer the boat paintwork seemed to be in excellent condition.  Then I noticed the hat the steerer was wearing and I realised it had to be a boat test with Adam (nb Briar Rose) at the tiller.

No doubt there will be a better photo in the next edition of the Canal Boat magazine.

Another familiar boat near Gayton Junction.  Albeit with a lovely new paint job.

I think we first saw Duxllandyn at Norbury Wharf and then on the K&A at Great Bedwin.  No sign of Marilyn, but then the cruising season hasn’t started! 

The Owl & the Pussycat was still moored at Camp Hill.  Jan thinks her grandparents would have loved the boat.

We moored for the night at Stowe Hill.  This morning we started cruising at 9.15 and shortly there after passed another well known boat.

There has been significant progress on the new bypass around Weedon Bec village.  Earthworks have now commenced on the western side of the canal and railway.

Earthworks on the skyline.

To the east a excavator was laying and compacting rock for the bridge abutments and the approach road alignment is more obvious.

At Dodford Bridge we caught up with a slow moving ABC boat from Gayton Marina.  It was Day 2 for first time hirers.  They kindly let us pass and then picked up speed to tag along.  We then shared the Buckby Flight with them.

Jan provided free lock handling instructions and they were so grateful she received a bottle of fermented red grape juice as thanks.

They were heading towards Market Harborough on a six day cruise and planned to spend the second night at Crick.  I suggested they try and go slightly further because their time was going to be tight.

With rain forecast at 3pm we decided to moor for the day above Buckby Top Lock.