Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 13:21:31 +0100 From: Bruce Napier Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Streamline Trip III Sunday 13 May 2001 Away in good time as we expected the locks to be busy which they were. Paired up Braunston flight with a private boat which was going to Crick. These locks were in good order and although pretty heavy they work well. Crossed with many boats coming down so most of the locks were ready for us. Good luck in Braunston Tunnel as there was nothing coming towards us but sadly the fine weather which we had enjoyed in Braunston stopped at the tunnel and we emerged at the other side to alternating sun and cloud. This improved as the afternoon wore on and we had a lovely run down to Weedon. Moored on the open towpath just past the boatyard and before the long term moorings on the offside. This left only a short walk back to the Heart of England which was lucky as we only just made it there as the rain started. It was quite a thunderstorm but it was as short as it was sharp and we walked back to the boat for dinner. It looked as though there was no food on a Sunday evening in the Heart of England. Monday 14 May 2001 This must go down as our laziest day as we planned only to go down to Gayton Junction to wind and then backtrack a bit. The towpath closures for F & M have made the rabbits very cheeky on the closed sections. Near Nether Heyford I saw a stoat on the towpath which clearly fancied a baby rabbit for its supper. A little further on we passed a yellowhammer just sitting on a fence post right by the canal watching us watching it. We elected to use the water point at Gayton which was a mixed blessing. It's a good water point but it is on the far side of the junction on the side arm. Easy enough to get in but made the rest of the winding manoeuvre quite challenging. Boated back to Stowe Hill Bridge in the afternoon and moored a little south of the bridge, before the boatyard. Dinner in the Narrowboat which was extremely good. Rather up market and correspondingly expensive but superb food well served. Even on Monday evening they were busy and we were lucky to get a table. Weather dull all day and rain in the evening. Tuesday 15 May 2001 Again set off in reasonable time as we wanted to window shop at Whilton marina. A dull morning but with hope that the day might improve. A short cruise to the foot of Buckby locks where we moored and went to see what was for sale. Saw a couple of horrors, one nice but not our sort and one very nice but a bit short (51ft). We begin to wonder if we can get acceptably close to what we want in three years time by going for a second hand. Liked Whilton marina, they were very laid back, quite happy for us to browse with no intention of buying. Mind we did get tempted into the chandlery so they made some profit out of us. After lunch joined Derry Mist, a very trad privateer to work up six of the seven Buckby locks to short term moorings below the top lock. Weather improved all afternoon to a really nice evening. Gave Streamline a much needed wash down then polished the brasses. She looks good. Dinner on board then a drink at the pub by the top lock. Rather cramped and noisy. We were not very keen. Cheers Bruce -- **************************************************** Bruce Napier 1/12 nb Streamline 1/12 nb Sceptre 'Go steady, but keep on going' - Old Boaters saying Although originating from the University of Wales, Bangor, the content and copyright of this email is personal to me, and UWB takes no responsibility for it. Permission is hereby given for it to be quoted elsewhere, provided that the sense (if any) remains essentially the same. **************************************************** ---