Stockton Top

Today's Canal - Grand Union

Today was not only brilliantly sunny but also very much warmer.

Initially we set off working locks on our own and after the first found that another boat must have set off ahead of us. In fact, most of today's cruise was spent in or waiting for locks. As a result, there are not too many photos. usually that is because of rain or poor light but we did take the usual number, alas almost all of locks and not much of anything different!

Fairly soon we passed the spot where the new HS2 line is due to cross the canal. a huge amount of soil is having to be moved around and this seems to be where a lot is stored until needed later.

A large conveyor bridge carries the material across the canal to be added to the mountain already there.

The oncoming boat traffic was suddenly very much busier than we have seen for a very long time. At times there was an almost continuous stream. Of course, just ahead of us between Napton and Braunston is perhaps the largest concentration of moored boats, it is the Easter holiday and it was sunny. What else should we expect? The plus was that we usually had a lock left ready for us but the downside was that sometimes the boats took a long time through just one lock, or even expecting people to wait for them to catch up with another boat to share. With just a few exceptions, everyone was in a cheerful mood and often very chatty.

At the bottom of the Stockton flight we were asked to wait for another boat to share with us and also a young (to us!) volunteer lockie helped with the remainder of today's locks.

Just after 2 o'clock we cleared the top lock and immediately both boats looked for a mooring just after Birdingbury Bridge - the formal Visitor Mooring just before was full. A long stretch with mooring rings, most of the distance between the locks and the bridge, is reserved for long term moorers. Alas, apart from one boat that may just be a lingerer, no other takers.

When we stopped to have our lunch we fully intended to go just a little further, just below or above Calcutt locks but the warm weather and a pleasant spot tempted us to stay put for the rest of the day. Mike did forced himself to spend a little time trying to polish the cabin side next to the towpath as he had nkot removed all the wax when he cleaned the boat back in October and also it had been splashed by something muddy - hasty passing cyclists, perhaps?

4.9 Miles - 16 Locks