This morning began as a brilliantly bright day with completely clear skies. Later in the day, well after we had moored, cloud arrived and we understand that the Bank Holiday weekend may, as often the case, is not going to have especially sunny weather.
Our overnight mooring had been quiet, probably more passing boats than walkers. Shortly after we moored yesterday we were a little concerned as there was a distinct 'agricultural' smell but this disappeared by nightfall and was not apparent this morning. We did not see its source - perhaps a nearby farmer had been muck spreading - OS and Google do not indicate any nearby sewage treatment works.
Just before we set off, we discovered that the formerly misbehaving 12V circuit breaker had enjoyed its good night's sleep and managed to latch in the on position today. Christine rang the boatyard to say that we would not now need their assistance.
It was under 30 minutes cruise to the Hillmorton flight of three locks, claimed to be the busiest on the system. As a result there are usually some volunteer lockies on duty here and as we arrived one of them beckoned us straight into the left hand lock. This meant we completed the first lock of this cruise almost effortlessly!
We paused before the next lock to empty the elsan. At least that part of the customer services here has been re-provided (albeit in a temporary form) but the main block seems no nearer completion than when we passed here a month ago.
We were on our own for the other two locks - the middle lock had one chamber already empty so it did not take long. We thought that we could see a boat preparing to descend the top lock so we left the middle one open and ready for them. Not much then seemed to happen and we wondered if we had made a mistake but after dropping Mike off at the lock landing, Christine hovered. Eventually the boat came into the lock and started to empty it. It turned out that they were very new to the canals - he had bought the boat at Whilton and, with just a short instruction, set off we think on hos own to meet hos partner just a few minutes cruise from Hillmorton. He was trying to pass on his experience (of 13 locks and 1 tunnel!) as she had never worked a lock before. They were heading to Brinklow Marina so we told them to report that they has encountered nb Alchemy as that was where we had just come from! At least they were being sensible and taming their time to be safe - unlike another boat that arrived just as we were coming out of the lock, determined to break Sebastian Sawe's record!
As we came this way on our recent short trip there was not too much to spot that we had not seen before, but the sunshine and rural scenery made for some good pictures. The lambs were now all gaining some independence from their Mums.
Even the two railways bridges, carrying the electrified West Coast main line, looked splendid. Wonder how many bricks were laid in their construction.
Just before Barby Moorings (an offline mooring with limited facilities) is a series of small plots of land, most with boats moored alongside. Their condition varies but most have been carefully tended. Another blogger had recorded that they spotted a few days ago a scrawled hand written poster advertising land for sale. Today there were 'proper' estate agents signs so we were able to find out a bit more about the sale. Google indicates that the plots for sale comprise about half of those on this particular well established development.
The brochure states that there are 7 plots for sale at £90,000 for a pair, freehold. This at least answered one question we had from out last time here as the plot width is insufficient for a typical modern narrowboat and some appeared to be linked together, one boat sharing two frontages. Water and electricity are available for connection at a charge but no sewage or rubbish disposal. New owners will have to negotiate mooring permits with CaRT as the existing ones are not transferable, it seems. There is no doubt more of a story behind this sale and we wondered how the current occupants feel about it. They obviously have no protected right to their lease beyond its current term and the plots are offered with vacant possession. The brochure is coy about planning status for living aboard. Whilst the plots do give their owner more than just a mooring, it does seem that the price is optimistic in comparison with a typical £3k-£4K per annum for a full service marina mooring. We wait with interest (as 'they' say)
On the land by the entrance to Barby Moorings, we spotted a new class of moorer!
Barby Straight is another result of the straightening project and oncoming boats can be seen long before they are passed. Alas it also was constructed with the sloping slabs rather too common around here which means that there are few casual mooring opportunities along its whole length.
After Dunchurch Pools Marina the towpath is more conventional and some 8 spots are noted on Waterway Routes maps. We knew from past experience that they are generally good moorings but in summer can be quite popular. Occupancy today was variable but all had some space available. We wanted to be as close to Braunston as we could manage, to make a good start on the locks in the morning. It was thus a game of playing chicken: how far should we press on knowing that it the last of the eight was full we were not in a good position!
In the end, a little after Bridge 87, we opted for a good space at the start of the armco for the seventh marked spot. We are less than a quarter of an hour from `Braunston Junction. Mooring is possible between there and the locks - we have managed it in the past - but going in this direction the consequences of not finding a space include having to do all six wide locks and probably a long tunnel before being able to stop for the night. Alas, assurance is more important to us than land (water?) speed records these days!
6.8 Miles - 3 Locks