Fotheringhay

Today's Navigation : River Nene

When we awoke the sky was very grey with universal overcast clouds.

But by the time we were pushing away from the pontoon and coming out of the marina entrance, signs of blue sky were just beginning to show.

Very soon we arrived at Lower Barnwwell Lock which had been electrified. This was fortunate as there was a notice in the control cabinet asking boaters to leave the guillotine gate closed, normally to be raised. This change was only introduced a few days ago and is intended to help with low water levels in the next reach.

By the time we had left the lock and rejoined the main river stream, the sky as very blue but with some interesting streaked cloud patterns.

The A605 - effectively the Oundle Bypass - crosses the river at a point where it follows the former railway line (yes, that one again!) and although the main span is new and concrete, the approach utilises the old rail viaduct built from bricks.

In the middle of nowhere (plenty of those in these parts!) we passed this floating structure. No doubt it is classed as a houseboat but essentially a shed on a pontoon! Its occupants access by car across the adjoining field.

Ashton Lock, sadly, is still manual but although quite hard work, definitely smoother than the three previous ones. We chatted to a man who arrived at the lock through a hidden gate and fence. It turned out that not only does he and his wife live on a boat on the short arm above the lock, but also they own the surrounding land.

Nearing Cotterstock there was an unusually long straight section - mostly this river twists and turns as it finds (and then changes) its route along the wide flood plain.

We shared Cotterstock Lock (thankfully electrified) with a small but wide cruiser which had turned around just after Ashton Lock. They seemed somewhat inexperienced and we are not sure whether they have ever shared before! Fortunately we fitted comfortably as we are not sure what would happen if we pushed the Emergency Stop button in the event that a boat became stuck or hung up on a cill. Once the Raise button is hit it continues the small emptying lift even if the finger is removed. In the main raising phase, taking the finger off the button causes it to stop immediately. Ideally, if a boat gets stuck the best thing is to close down the emptying asap. we missed a photo of the other boat as they were holding back until we had cleared the very short lock landing below.

Another bird box (or whatever!) but this one has a solar input. We wondered if this powered a remote camera or counted how many residents used it.

Cotterstock Church is a little further on and looks worth a visit but, as almost always, no way off the boat anywhere nearby.

We saw Tansor Church just a few hundred metres later but close up it is entirely hidden by trees. It is also a long way from Cotterstock - by road or by foot!

The small boat also joined us at Perio Lock which is yet another manual lock. Despite prompting from Christine they did not attempt to lend Mike some assistance with the gate opening.

We were surprised to spot a FOTRN mooring called Fir Trees. It is not on any of our lists so perhaps it is quite new. It is barely a boat's length, but otherwise looks useful.

Suddenly, as we rounded yet another bend, Fotheringhay Church popped up on the horizon. 

As well as our destination for tonight, we wanted to top up our water tank after a load of laundry as we were coming along. This proved extremely difficult to get ashore and connect the hosepipe = remarkably unsafe to access for a public agency. It took us five attempts before we worked out a way to take lines to the mooring posts on the bank.

After that we moved to the section the other side of the bridge. This was almost as fraught. A boat had already moored right in the middle - it later transpired that this was the only place where they could get even close to the bank, let along alongside. However they did assist when we made another approach at a different part of the bank Our gangplank proved necessary to get ashore.

This is a popular spot for water sports - especially at the moment SUPs (except that most of those out today could not quite master the standing up bit!) A while after mooring we realised that we had lost the plastic box used to store our hosepipe, presumably taken by the wind. Just as Mike was transferring stuff out of another box, some passing paddlers came close and Mike asked if they could look lout for it as they passed under the bridge. "You mean, like this one," they said, pointing to another paddle board. They had seen it some distance downstream and thought that they would litter pick as it did not enhance the environment. They were happy to re-unite it with its owner.

Late afternoon, with most of the meal prepare but not cooked, Mike decided, perhaps a little too casually, to take a leap ashore and explore Fotheringhay Castle. We were moored right next to  the memorial stone commemorating the execution of Mary Queen of Scots in 1587 after she had given Elizabeth I cause to think that Mary was about to challenge her regal position and also re-introduce Catholicism as the preferred religious organisation.

All that remains of the once impressive castle is the huge mound, in its day the most defensive military technology available.

As Mike walked around to find the steps up to the top, he spotted this group of thistle and poppy (the latter now past its flowering stage) Both flowers at one time had significance in English and Scottish politics.

After weeks of hot weather, the path to the top was not easy! The steps have been badly eroded and the surface is largely loose fine gravel and hence rather slippery. In the end he made it - but not quite upright until another walked offered him a hand to stand properly!

The view from the top was terrific - at one stage a beautiful red kite flew around the people on the top and at that level, very  close. Its wonderful markings were most clear. (Sorry, the camera missed it all)

Coming back down was even harder! With luck not too many people had to witness Mike's most ungainly scramble backwards! But he did return to the river level in one piece. Alas, by this stage his balance felt decidedly challenged and walking the gangplank unattractive until another walker offered him a stabilising hand! At times it is good to realise just how incredibly helpful can sometimes be, with no asking and no reward.

8.1 Miles - 4 Locks