Great Barford

Today's navigation : River Great Ouse

Things still come in threes, do they not? Well, today was no exception - other than the count might just be four!

We got away from our overnight mooring in reasonably good time, although not as early as the boat moored next to us. As promised, they were off even before we began to stir! The mooring was very close to the main road bridge but was remarkably quiet.

Each end of the bridge has a large painting of a winged creature in incredible detail.Looking back to our 2018 photos we can just make out that these images were installed before then so have survived very well indeed.

It was not far to the first lock at Eaton Socon and a day that was very much brighter than we had been led to expect. As we approached the lock we could see that the bottom gates were open so Mike dropped off on the lock landing whilst Christine took the boat into the lock. 

Nothing seemed untoward except that we had spotted from a distance that there was an EA van parked up nearby. As Mike walked up to the top level, ready to shut the gates once the boat was inside, he could then see that a couple of staff had dismantled the sensor mechanism that is used by the guillotine gate control to prevent the big gate being lifted if the bottom gates and slackers are not all fully closed. We were warned that it would probably be a couple of hours delay! We now understand that this lock has been giving problems for some time now tracked down to an unusual problem with a buried cable! Nothing we could do but spend the time admiring the surroundings.

An information board by the lock showed the layout of this area over a long period. It said that the original lock was a little further down, just beyond where the lock landing is now. Mike walked over to see if there were any remaining signs of its position.

There was a short length of wall that was probably where the lock tail was located and Mike took a photo.

He then went to look at the old mill, now converted into a pub and restaurant.

A side arm from above the new lock, ends just before the mill and is now used for moorings. Our map indicates that they supplied diesel but it seems that is the four years since we bought this particular guide they have given  up the marina business and only retained the moorings. So no diesel!

As he was returning to the boat, Mike was accosted by a very aggressive man but Mike managed to remain calm, at least on the outside. Shaken but not stirred, Mike eventually managed to extricate himself from the situation and returned to the lock. 

Work on the sensors was progressing but it seems that it was more difficult to adjust than anticipated. The two hour estimate was probably correct. Actually, in the end we were able to proceed about 90 minutes after arriving - so not too bad, really.

Standing by the lock, Mike was then accosted by a woman who was equally aggressive but fortunately at that point Mike had the call that the lock was now ready and was being filled so he had to hurry over to make sure our boat was secure - there was now a cruiser alongside us. 

We then had a very pleasant cruise on the long reach to Roxton Lock. There was little remarkable along the way but a very pleasant 'amble'.

We were now wondering what to do about diesel and Christine spent some of the time phoning ahead. It seems that there is a dearth of fuel at this end of the river as Priory Marina in Bedford is also running out.

At first we thought from a distance that we had arrived at Tempsford (where the A1 crosses and Kelpie Marine is based) slightly quicker than expected but it turned out to be the new A428 crossing!

This is the actual Tempsford New Bridge some 10 - 15 minutes later!

The cruiser had headed off in front of us as they were anxious to get to Bedford for an unexpected appointment.This meant - as there was no oncoming traffic - that the locks were against us! The locks are now double pointed so a lot more walking. Mike closed the top gates and emptied the lock. At this stage we did not realise that the locks are now a bit narrower and our boat could not pass with only one gate open - just not quite. Christine brought the boat into the lock entrance, the landing was very close so she was proceeding pretty slowly. 

However, it quickly became apparent that the other gate needed to be opened at least partly so Mike walked round via the top gates only to discover that that gate had been left chained up. Following complaints about gates blowing closed when opened by single handers, EA had decided to fit posts and chains to allow the gates to be held open or closed. The design meant that any pressure from a boat in the gap caused the chain to be impossible to remove. We now could neither move backward as this chain made that impossible.

Mike tried numerous ways to free us but no luck. Everything about the chain conspired against us. Even the bolt holding the chain to the post had been fitted with a special (expensive?) security nut making it impossible to for vandals to remove it - nor anyone else either!

At this point we gave in and called EA and eventually were connected with the local duty person who said that he was on his way. He arrived about 45 minutes later. He tried all the same things that Mike had tried with equally no effect. He considered cutting the chain but checked with his office only to be told that, because the chain was now in tension, he was not authorised to do so under Health and Safety. Some considerable number of telephone calls ensued.

Eventually The Office decided that the fire brigade should be called as they have the permissions to cut tensioned chains!

Eventually, two engines turned up with full crew and two other units were on their way! (The nearest they could park was a little away from the lock) The leader of the first crew quickly decided to stand down the extras and the crew from the second engine enjoyed being spectators from the adjoining footbridge. Because the crew were about to damage someone's property they first had to complete the necessary procedures before they were able to bring on the heavy duty bolt cutters. 

One crew member deployed that tool whilst another held a shatterproof transparent shield (only a small one!) What followed can only be described as a definite let! The chain meekly yielded and lamely dropped to the ground! (We tried to be discreet in taking photos and not intrude) A little more admin and everyone was able to go happily on their way!

What was surprising was that in the time between our arrival at the lock and leaving it some four and a half hours later, not a single boat arrived hoping to come through.

We were now some seven hours behind schedule but needed to reach above Great Barford lock to find the nearest overnight mooring. This took us again on a long but pleasant reach for the next hour. The lock, inevitably set against us, thus took the maximum amount of walking to and fro as it is possible. Alas, all this effort distracted us from taking photos . . . (We're good on excuses round here!)

However, the moorings by Great Barford Bridge were entirely empty so no difficulty in finding a suitable place to stop, take breath and sort out tonight's meal!

7.9 Miles - 3 Locks