Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 14:34:35 -0500 From: Kkroeker Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Trip report Part 3 (long) (XP) [ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ] [ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ] [ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ] Wednesday September 27, 2000 While I remained in bed, Grant showered, dressed and got the boat going. Eventually I followed and made some breakfast for both of us, ate mine and then exchanged places with Grant while he ate his. The trip to Foxton from the basin seemed much faster than the trip the other way. Arriving at the Foxton flight, we assumed what we thought was our place in the queue, only find on checking with the lock keeper that there was a boat moored on the other side of the bridge that was ahead of us. From the lock keeper we heard that the couple in this boat (Tara Tuppence) had apparently run aground when they managed to drain the pound they were in. They decided it was an emergency situation and called 999. Police and fire department were dispatched, including a Helicopter - before BW were called to remedy the situation. Our trip up our first staircase was uneventful and we were soon moored at the top. We then walked back down the top staircase and spent some time visiting the museum. We bought a few things and then returned to the boat in worsening weather. The rain never really got going, but it did try all afternoon as we cruised toward Crick where we intended to spend the night. We moored opposite Edwards of Crick and walked across for dinner, which was very good. Thursday September 28, 2000 We made an uneventful passage to Braunston with the possible exception of passing 5 boats in Braunston tunnel - one of which got a little out of shape in one of the jogs and hit us. We arrived in the early afternoon and moored just past Butcher's bridge. We went over to the marina shop and I introduced myself to Tim Coughlan. His first words to me were "You have shamed me^Å". You see, last year I left a framed print of Jim Collins on Stanton and Belmont with Jim to give to Tim. Tim had intended to write, but well it never bubbled to the top of his in tray. He spent an hour with us and we swapped photos I had brought along for issues of Canal & Riverboat containing articles Tim had written about the Braunston boating families. It was a nice visit. Whatever else Tim is known for, he ought to be known for the fine way he has treated Jim and Doris Collins. I went from the marina over to nb Water Lilly where Jim and Doris live. Had a short visit with them and gave them a copy of pictures of Stanton and Belmont as they are today. Thanks to David Kitching ( for the pic of Stanton) and Anthony Coutts (of Snibston Discovery park) I was able to get these photos. Jim remarked that Stanton was a good boat, but Belmont was not - Doris said it was very difficult to steer, to which Jim added that you could see right through the boat from one side to the other it had so many holes in it. Small wonder that it's currently in a "Lace Handkerchief" state if it was as bad as that 30 years ago. I mentioned the "Jam 'ole run" that's being done with the restored butty Raymond. Jim replied that he saw no point in it at all. "There's no Jam 'ole left to run to" he said. We returned to the boat and relaxed a bit. My phone rang and it was Mike Wooding checking up on us. He must have ESP as we hadn't been there very long. We chatted a minute and agreed on Dinner at the Plough (after Mike checked with the Colonel). Meeting up at the Plough we had a nice meal and a few Burtons to wash it down. We agreed to meet at Napton top (the real one) the next evening and to run down to Bruanston together Saturday morning. From there we would get to Newbold somehow and crew Laplander down to Braunston. Friday September 29, 2000 In past visits to the canals I've generally cruised 10 hours a day or more, but now found myself just enjoying the village and losing track of time. I suppose that's what vacations are supposed to be about, but I spend so little time practicing the art it came as something of a surprise to me that at one point I didn't know what day it was. Come to think of it - might have been the blend of Burtons and Strongbow from the previous night^Å. We rose in time to contemplate making Napton bottom by lunch time and eventually did that, having a nice lunch at The Bridge Inn (I think). After lunch we worked our way up the flight, mooring that afternoon opposite Draco. Mike turned up 5ish and we visited a bit. Mike tuned Draco into a bridge demonstrating his ropemanship along the way. After retrieving his generator from the opposite side of the canal, Grant and I decided we could drag Silver Dale alongside Draco and refill our water tank. One of the consequences of losing track of time is that you also forget when last you took on water^Å. Around 8 PM we joined Mike and Krystyna for a few glasses (maybe it was bottles) of wine, listened to some music and talked about boats, diesel stoves, the deterioration of Raven from rust etc. J . We agreed on an 8AM engine start the next morning. Saturday September 30, 2000 When you cruise upwards of 9 hours per day the boat's batteries get plenty of time charging, and are used a proportionately smaller amount of time between charges. In our case we now had cruised only 8 hours or so in 2 days. We rose at 7 and prepared for a 8AM engine start - except that the engine did not wish to cooperate. The starter solenoid made a pathetic click, but the starter did nothing. We disconnected the starter battery and connected the bank of 3 domestic batteries in its place, but they were flat as well. We could understand the domestic batteries being flat as we had been sitting still with the engine off a lot for the past 2 days burning battery power, but the starter battery is supposed to be isolated from the domestic ones - apparently not. I placed a call to Anglo Welsh, and we borrowed a battery from Mike, who in addition volunteered to charge our starter battery on the trip down to Braunston. Once we got the Boat going, the remainder of the trip was without incident and we arrived in the vicinity of Braunston at about noon. Nearing the turn, we encountered a boat reminiscent of Raven, except for the patch of rust on the bow where the paint used to be. The steereer, who greatly resembled Dave Hearmon, had a crew of 50 on board, lest he should encounter a lock. Only skillful evasive action on Mike's part prevented a terrible catastrophe. Several ladies on the bow of this mystery boat, looked up from their cauldron long enough to call out "Hello Ken". Strange things happen on the way to Braunston^Å^Å. Arriving in Braunston, we found good moorings not far from the turn and tied up. Sean arrived and we set out with him by car to Newbold where we boarded Laplander for the run back to Braunston. It was a fun experience. If you are ever offered the chance to take Laplander for a run, by all means leap at the chance. Put on some old clothes first, but leap at the chance nonetheless. Laplander is a very different little boat - 33 feet in length, most of that length appears at first to be made up entirely of steam engine and boiler. The boat was apparently built by a yard that lacked a straightedge, as there is not a straight line to be seen Sean busied himself in the engine 'ole while Grant and I took turns steering. Grant worked the locks at Hillmorton and we were all photographed many times as we made our way to Braunston. As we neared our destination a double rainbow appeared behind the boat. It made for some great photos. Anyway, we (and Laplander) survived the trip, and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Thanks Sean - it was a great day. Part 3 of the day took place in the old Plough, where Mike, Krystyna, Jackie, Leslie, Tony, Dave, Connie, Guy, Molly, Jeff, Benny, Ken and Grant (and possibly others) gathered for a few drinks. It was nice to meet more of the Cutweb legends. At 11:30 or so we found our way back to the boat and crashed almost immediately. A fine full day indeed. Thanks to everyone who was there, and especially Mike and Krystyna for their hospitality. ---