It was a bright sunny morning as we awoke. We were ready to leave the Cruising Club mooring not long after nine but then Mike spotted that there was a tap just about in reach of an extended hose. Yesterday's washing load meant that we were down to a quarter on our tank gauge and there have been rumours about the next water point being out of service, possible the next two. So it seemed rather sensible to fill up whilst we could!
It was just after 10 when we eventually cast off - not bad as it was a reasonably fast water supply. The road beside the marina passes over a bridge and immediately beyond is Upper Barnwell Lock.
This lock is right beside Oundle Mill. This 17C former mill was until recently a quality restaurant but it was sold in 2021 (asking price £1.2 million) and is now the showroom for a high-end kitchens.
We thought that today's locks would be straightforward but the first two offered a new twist: the top gates just would not stay closed long enough to allow Mike to get back to the control box and initiate the emptying.
This lock had an added complication as the upper lock landing was fully occupied by two weed cutting boats.
For some time we could see Pilton Church across the fields. This site gives a much better picture of both church and the manor house alongside - the photographer had the advantage of being on a walk nearby! (The line across the second photo is a power line that stayed in the line of sight for all the time we could see the church)
On the opposite bank is the 100 room Lilford Hall, built originally in 1495. It has been through many restorations and developments, at one time being owned by a family much involved in the founding of the US. The house is of great interest to visiting Americans! The current owners are dedicated to a major restoration that will ensure its survival for at least the next 200 years (nearly as long as the US has been in existence) Riverside vegetation means that there is no clear view of the building from the water.
The picturesque Lilford Bridge heralds our arrival at the next lock.
The top gates here offered even more of a challenge, so much so that Christine had to come to Mike's aid.
The house alongside the lock has clearly had a lot of work done on it and more is in progress, A builder was working on the structure to the very right of the photo that looks as if it is to be a set of three garages.
The next prominent church is in the village of Achurch. The very tiny village has been occupied since the Iron Age, according to Wikipedia. The unusual and intriguing name for the village is said to derive from Asa's church after a place called Aas-kirk said to mean Church by the Water.
At Wadenhoe Lock we met a single handed boat just coming out (not sure how he will cope at his next lock!) - this was only the third boat to pass us since Peterborough. Just after we had entered the lock and closed the guillotine gate than a small cruiser arrived. Although we tried to persuade them that we could re-open and let them in to share they were uncertain about the space available and simply helped us through. The added bonus was that the lady firmly insisted that she would close up after us so, for once, we got away quickly!
Our trip plan showed us staying the night at the FOTRN Pear Tree Farm mooring but on the way from the last lock we decided that it was such a brilliant day that we would take advantage and press on through one more lock and then moor at Islip Mill, where we stopped on the way down.
Titchmarsh Lock is accompanied now by not only the former mill but also a private marina, home to Middle Nene Cruising Club. Its web site makes it very clear that its facilities are definitely Members Only. (We met one or two members at Oundle Cruising Club)
A notice inside the control box advised navigators to take care when closing the guillotine gate and ensure that it really is down, holding the button extra long even after it appears to have stopped. The explanation is that a new form of actuator at the bottom has been installed and is taking time to settle in. It also looked as if there was a bit of a leak at the top end as well. The only impact, it said, is that passage through the lock might take a little longer.
However, we did not find any real issue and it may have been that top end leak that kept the ponting doors closed whilst we went to empty the lock, so no delay on that account!
We then had an even pleasanter three quarter hour cruise down to Islip Mill where the splendid mooring was entirely empty! As it was now well after two o'clock and lunch beckoned, we tied up as quickly as we could!
A restful afternoon was slightly tinged by the news that Brinklow Marina is now full and so we will have to find some other place for our winter mooring, but that is still complicated as we do not know when some of the intervening closures will be lifted. The routes to several of our preferred alternatives (mainly Aquavista) are still blocked by closures as the result of water shortages.
8.7 Miles - 4 Locks
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