And now no water

Today's Navigations : River Nene, Northampton Arm, Grand Union

We set the alarm to make sure that we did not oversleep! We needed to do the usual round of rubbish and elsan disposal as well as filling the water tank before we could leave. Christine then realised that we failed to buy some more olive oil spread yesterday so she popped over to Morrisons whilst Mike was completing these tasks. On the way back she called at the marina office, mainly to hand in the gate key fob.

Mike managed to make contact with someone in the East Midlands CaRT Office to confirm that we could get through Lock 17 and, after a delay whilst she checked with other staff, we were good to go.

We disconnected the electric hook up and were soon bidding the marina farewell and speeding up the remaining part of the Nene - less than 10 minutes later we were passing the Carlsberg brewery and then turning into the Northampton Arm.

The lock was full but we could already see that the level in the first pound above the lock was low. Now on narrow locks (until we reach the Grand Union proper) we came through quite quickly and gingerly started to move forward.

Barely 50m and there was a narrows - a former bridge but now supporting a pipe bridge. Even before the bow was near that point we came to a halt and could not make our way through. We reversed off and tried again but to no avail so we had no choice but to back to the lock entrance, not even able to get to the lock landing or even the bank. Eventually we were just able to get the stern close to the edge so that we could at least tie one rope to a bollard. (Later Andrew plumbed the depth and found it to be barely two feet - 600mm)

Christine managed to get through to the East Midlands office again and they seemed to think that 'the team; were doing water management this afternoon, ahead of tomorrow's opening. We should begin to see some improvement this afternoon.

By now Andrew had arrived but when he realised that we were not going to go far today, he opted to move his car to Brinklow. We thought about moving our car - Andrew could ferry Mike to White Mills - but after much consideration we felt that this was one risk too many for today!

Still, at least we had time for one or two chores - now we are off the river we could stow away our anchor and chain. In so doing we discovered that for the second time this year (and possibly the second time for us ever) an Elsan container had sprung a leak. Before being able to stow into the bow locker Mike had first to take everything out and clear away as much of the pungent stuff as possible. Eventually all was clean and tidy!

Soon after Andrew returned - he had taken longer as a train ahead of the one he was hoping to catch from Rugby had broken down and passengers for the Northampton route were advised to go via Milton Keynes.

By now we had had two interesting conversations with a professional  boat  mover who is waiting on the embankment to follow us up. He understood that there were 12 - 14 boats due to transit in the next two days.

We made another attempt to get through the narrows but, if anything, the water is even lower now. In fact, for some time were were stuck fast not even able to reverse back to where we could tie up. Eventually we managed to become unstuck and so another call to CaRT.

After some time it transpired that 'the team' were not responding to their colleagues phone call and the person Christine spoke to seemed to be concerned that all the effort was going into setting up Locks 1 - 12 and no-one had thought to check the levels down the rest of the flight. We now had to resign ourselves to staying the night where we were and hoping that water was sent down overnight.    

On the bright side, at least today has been dry!

0.7 Miles - 1 Lock

Staying in the Marina

As we arrived in Northampton earlier than planned, we stayed in the marina almost all day. It has been quite cold and towards the end quite a bit of rain arrived although that should pass in the night.

The main activity was to walk to Morrisons for a few items including some crusty bread (in lieu of garlic bread which we cannot bake off at the moment as the oven is still playing up!)

In Beckets Park we spotted a squirrel climbing a tree trunk. Whilst obviously very wary of humans, it was kind enough to stay in place long enough for us to take some photos before disappearing from our view.

On the way back we talked to a boater moored on the embankment (most of the stretch is double moored with many expecting to make the transit of the Arm this week) and he said that another boater had  discovered that Lock 17 (the one that connects directly from the river) was still locked up. This contrasts with an email we received from the East Midlands office that said that 13 - 17 were to remain unlocked. We rang the main Customer Service Line but did not have any useful conversation as the person answering just read from the standard navigation  notice that is also ambiguous. Its headline refers to the whole flight whilst the content limits to 1 - 12!

The problem is compounded by the fact the the lock is directly onto the river and has a relatively short lock landing and queuing is not really an option. When we came down it was further complicated by most of the landing occupied by what was either a long stayer or abandoned boat.

So the uncertainties of this part of 2026 cruising continue and we shall just have to see what transpires. Andrew is driving up to join us tomorrow morning. The plan was for us to meet him just above Lock 17 where he had identified a suitable place to park. At the moment we have arranged that he will take a look at the lock and we will then decide what to do. One possibility is that even if it is locked that we will cruise up to the lock (for want of anything else to do!) and pick him up before returning back to the marina for the night. The prospect then is that there will be quite a log jam of boats on the short arm just off the main river all waiting to get through on Tuesday  morning! It seems possible that there are around twenty boats hoping to transit in the two days. Perhaps some will have to attempt it in the hours of darkness! It is probably a very long time since the Arm saw so many boats in one day.

Northampton Marina

Today's Navigation : River Nene

Our aim was to get as far up the river to Northampton as we could today - if luck was on our side then we might even be able to share locks with one of the other boats at White Mills that has been waiting for an opportunity to go up the Northampton Arm. Our main problem was where we might find a mooring as this stretch of the river is even less well provided than further down and FOTRN have not developed any either. The pontoon at Weston Flavell is emergency only after October 1st, Midsummer Meadows near Northampton is often full with long term stayers (despite it having a 24 hour limit!) and the main embankment was chock-a-block when we came down.

We were away just before 10 - a little later than planned but we had disposals first (the rubbish bins are at the far end of the car park from where we were moored!) It was a bright and sunny mooring but still with the chilly overnight temperature - extra layers and gloves to begin with.

And so farewell to White Mills Marina. We knew that they have gained a good reputation since they opened and our experience these past two or three weeks indicates that this fame is well justified.

The first lock, only ten minutes away, was Whiston, the lock which was closed for a short while on Thursday.

Yes, there was some weed collecting above the lock but the clearance by EA staff meant that it did not impede us. We heard later from a staff member working on a weir close to another lock, that the mat had been very think indeed, although for a few moments after leaving the lock it did feel as if we had picked some up on the prop but it quickly cleared itself.

We also spotted  that the boat that was moored next to us in the marina arrived just before we left and so we arranged to wait for them at the next lock and share. They had a deadline to arrive at the marina before 4 so that they can leave their boat whilst they return home.

Cogenhoe Lock next - we had a little wait to allow the other boat to catch up. 

We wrote about the former caravan park alongside this lock on our way down (see). From the lock bridge we had an even better view of the extent of the site - little left except the electric hookup points and even they are gradually being overrun by the wild vegetation.

There is a kissing gate between the operation lock side  and the path which runs over the lock bridge. 

Nothing exceptional except that Mike spotted this tiny little engraved label. What is the story? 2016 is far too late for it to be Marilyn Monroe in disguise but it was obviously an important event for someone.

Just one of the many by-washes that carry water around the locks.

This was not meant to be a definitive shot of Tread Softly as it came under the bridge beside the river entrance to Billing Aquadrome. However it does show that it is steered by a wheel at the bow of the boat in what was meant to be a homage to the inspection launch inspiration for the design and construction by Peter Nicholls. (It seems strange to see it arriving but with no-one of the stern!) The style and design appealed to the new owner so much that he travelled from Harpenden to Twenty Pence Marina on the Great Ouse to buy it.

By the time we came through Weston Flavell Lock (the last of the guillotine gate designs) the bright sunny sky had been overtaken by dark dense clouds, with the hint of possible rain. (Actually we were lucky and stayed dry until a few drops arrived just as we were mooring in Northampton)

This is the Washlands Mooring that we would have liked to stop at but our conscience about it not being an emergency (wonder what justified these two boats taking a break here?) meant that we pressed on. Actually, we had just rung the marina to check that there would be room for us for two nights - yes, that will be OK.

This is another marked on our maps but said to be for Patrons Only. Not sure whether it would be a peaceful mooring!

It was fortunate that we had not persisted with the option of looking for a mooring at Midsummer Meadow ort the town embankment as there was no ro came into the marina m at all at either. We would by now have been in a panic were it not for our alternate plan. Soon after Northampton Lock we turned sharp left and where we were guided by the manager into our mooring spot.

It was comforting to realise that we managed eight locks in only an hour longer than on the way down - and feeling rather more up to the challenge than we had feared might be the case. Note that lock sharing can reduce the effort but add to the time to pass each lock. All of these locks were quite easy to operate except for one guillotine lock that had been left full, a top gate and paddle open. After our 'reprimand' earlier in the trip when EA staff commented that despite finding a lock in this state we should still keep to the rule of leaving the lock empty with the gate raised, we decided to be 'good' and do as we had been told!

Our departure was planned on the basis that we might not get as far as Northampton on the first day so we now have a day spare and will move up to the Arm on  Monday when Andrew is due to arrive.

7.6 Miles - 8 Locks

Re-Stock the Larder

Surprisingly we both slept later than usual, not waking until just after 8! This meant that it was around 10:30 before we were ready to go into Wellingborough.

We say 'go into' but in fact we only skirted the very edge of the town, doing what we wanted to do at two of the edge of town retail parks.

We opted to charge the car first as it was likely that one part of our shopping involved chilled medication. We did not make the same mistake as last time (using the slow chargers outside Tesco which refused to let go of the tether) but headed to the faster charging points outside Halfords which we managed eventually to use last time.

Whilst the car was on charge Christine went to Tesco and Mike to B&M. We planned to do most of our shopping at Lidl but first Christine wanted to locate a wine box which usually Lidl do not do. Mike was also on the hunt for two sizes of plastic storage boxes to replace ones that were life expired. A 5l one was needed for Mike's meds (the top had fractured on the last trip - it travelled up successfully yesterday by being held together with copious parcel tape) whilst the 11l one for the expanding hose pipe which has had 'useful' drainage holes in the bottom for a few months now. He was successful with the latter but, despite the store having many different sizes, none that was just right for the meds. The parcel tape will have to do for now!

When we both had returned to the car it was just over 90% charged (good enough to get to Brinklow - we hope!) so next stop Lidls on an adjacent retail park. The list was somewhat larger than Mike had estimated so when we got back to the marina he had to fetch a trolley to carry it all back to the boat! Our own folding shopping trolley, which Tardis-like can usually carry a most of a full shop, together with a large shopping bag, were insufficient.

By now it was lunch time. Afterwards the main outside task to be done was to fill the water tank - transferring the hosepipe to a new box afterwards.

Fingers have to be extra crossed for tomorrow as Christine heard from the marina office that the lock at Whiston (the first we need to pass through) was closed yesterday because of high winds although open today. Looking at our photos of the lock it is not obvious why, but apparently a strong cross wind makes it difficult to navigate into the lock. We shall see!

Later we found the formal notice and it was weed not wind that was the problem which has now been fixed.

Back On Board

After the swift 180 turn last week, there was quite a bit to be done in a short time but we did manage to bring forward our return by 24 hours to give us a better chance to get to Northampton in time. Andrew is scheduled to join us at the bottom of the Northampton Arm early next week but we have to get ourselves that far on our own.

Earlier in the summer we comfortably managed to get from Northampton Marina to White Mills in a day - eight locks. With shorter days and reduced capability we do not expect to find the return as easy. One of the issues is that there is no intermediate overnight stopping place that we know about before Midsummer Meadow, just below Northampton Lock. In the summer there is the possibility of a stopover at Washlands, just above Weston Flavell Lock but this reverts to an emergency-only mooring from 1st October. As we understand it, the mooring's primary purpose is in case a boat is caught between the two automated flood barriers at Abington and Weston Flavell. There is a small possibility that both close just after a boat has entered the reach between them. That seems unlikely just yet - that degree of rain would otherwise now be seen as a very welcome event!

Before then we have to do a large food shop as well as recharging the car. We prefer to leave it fully charged if possible rather than have to do that at the start of a car shuffle trip. So, our plan is to leave as soon as we can manage on Saturday morning. However, we understand from the marina office that there are several other boats also heading for the two day opening of the Arm. If we happened to leave at the same time as one of them and can share at least some of the locks that would be a bonus - but we cannot count on it!

We were away in good time this morning - around 10.30 - and the traffic was busy but no holdups, not even at the notorious intersection with the M40 just north of Oxford. There are often lengthy tail backs here but not today. We had a brief comfort break at Cherwell Valley Services but did not attempt to charge the car - we left home fully charged. The journey was estimated at 2.25 hours when we left and, allowing for the break, we arrived with a couple of minutes of the opening ETA.

Apart from unloading the car we managed little else since we arrived but that was the plan anyway!

Good News Day

After the disappointment of yesterday's review of the Northampton Arm, we continued in making revised appointments and diary plans.

So it was more than a surprise that Mike received a phone call just after 2 pm from his contact at CaRT Customer Services. She wanted to let us know as soon as possible, and before the news was formally announced, that CaRT have had second thoughts (no doubt after an ear bashing from some quarters!) and that there would be a further two day window for 'essential' travel on Tuesday 21 Oct and the following day.

From the official notice that came out shortly afterwards, it seems that someone has now thought to look at the previous two day window in September and assess what  impact it had on the Grand Union to which it is attached. It seems that perhaps assumptions had been made that were not fully supported by the facts!

As our experience back in early July (see) showed, locks 3 and 4 have a real problem that means that, almost everyday, staff have to begin their shift by running water down the upper part of the flight to ensure sufficient depth in these early pounds for boats of even moderate draft to get over top cills! Pity that repairs to these gates do not yet seem to have made it sufficiently far up the priority list to be included in this winter's programme. On the other hand, traffic levels are modest - a case of 'if you do not use it, you will lose it' perhaps?

The notice does not indicate a night time closure on the Tuesday night which is perhaps a surprise as that is when much of the water loss occurs. We will be interested to see how many staff and/or volunteers are deployed to assist boats through. We did also hear from another boater at White Mills who came down in the previous opening that the weed situation was pretty dire. It is generally an issue but with no traffic for most of the summer, the weeds have had no competition. So we expect several visits to the weed hatch at least in the lower, longer, pounds.

In any event there was much rejoicing in this household at the news even though, when the euphoria wore off, we began to realise just how much we now have to organise to get to the Rothersthorpe flight by the first open date. At White Mills we are two or three days and eight locks away from Northampton, but not as onerous as some stretches. There are several guillotine gates yet to pass thorough but, in practice, as long as they are mechanised - they are - then they do not take much different total effort in comparison with locks which have pointed gates at both ends.

Bad News Day

We returned home on Sunday as Mike had a medical appointment 8.45 on Monday that has been in the pipeline for about a year and was not to be missed! Knowing that it was generally expected that the Northampton Arm would only have a possible transit towards the end of October, we made arrangements for our boat to remain at White Mills for a month.

We have found White Mills to be very supportive - as indeed have the other two marinas (Cropredy and Brinklow) where our planned winter moorings have successively been thwarted by the continuing effects of the ongoing drought.

It was with the expectation that we would be back within two weeks that we left the boat ready for a quick getaway, once we had a date. Winterising could wait until we arrived at our destination (currently set as Brinklow) We also had crew assistance lined up! And the anchor and lifebuoy remain deployed . . .

Everyone involved knew that CaRT had planned a review of several inter-related closed or restricted waterways on 6th October and, on schedule, there was a series of announcements today. After seeing that several canals that had either been closed or under significant restriction had decisions to re-open, at last partially, there was a sense of positive expectation.

Alas! Not only was the decision to leave the Northampton Arm, together with the Leicester Branch, Foxton and Watford flights completely closed (it was already known that the southern Oxford was unlikely to re-open this boating season) but also the notice gave no subsequent review date. Once the end of October is reached then the Winter Stoppage Programme starts to kick in and through routes often become impossible.

Right now we feel in limbo! Unable to come completely to terms with not being able to get Alchemy back onto the canal network, we also have to face the reality that the odds on this being possible are rapidly in decline!

There will obviously be some admin consequences. How far do we extend our White Mills arrangement? Like almost all marinas the monthly cost is a function of the length of the contract. If you book too little then the overall cost increases but if you book too long then some of the period will be wasted. Come the turn of the year we will also have to sort out licences. At the moment we have  a Gold Licence, along with an Anglian Pass. We did not have any expectation of needing other than a CaRT licence in 2027. If we do not transit the Northampton Arm in October (almost now a certainty) then there will be a period in 2027 when we are on EA waters!

Still, we have all the maps and data to hand to plan what we do next year, consistent with our ever changing health status. Not yet quite ready to give in, even if the boat is more of a moving holiday cottage than a rapid transit system. For once, the choices are more to do with climate change than health change!