From Michael@g6iqm.demon.co.uk Thu May 6 20:48:02 1999 Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 20:33:24 +0100 From: Michael J Wooding Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canals@blacksheep.org Subject: Draco's Northampton Rally Trip Report - LONG Thursday April 29th Draco was already at Braunston as we had moved her down the previous weekend, just to bring her nearer to home, as we had quite a bit of stuff to ship off and then on. I spent the day doing some last minute wiring to get the hooter and tunnel light operational. The previous weekend I had already wiring in the water pump and our temporary tap (a garden tap fitted to the front bulkhead - well Judy liked it!) and also the fridge was wired in. Krystyna and Ashley came aboard late afternoon and we moved Draco around to The Mill House for a drink and a meal. Friday April 30th Awoke to a glorious morning and by 0930 we were off on route up the Braunston flight heading for our intended destination of either Stowe Hill or Bugbrooke. We had company up the first three locks of the Braunston flight, but the accompanying boat's crew was kidnapped by the gift shop next door to The Nelson, so we continued up the flight alone. A swift passage through Braunston Tunnel and across the summit found us at Buckby top by midday. Krystyna collected us both a pint at The New Inn and we were off down the flight. Tried to get our reciprocal E.A. licence for Anchor Cottage, but they were closed. The bottom of the flight arrived and armed with an ice cream from the Whilton Marina shop we headed off towards Stowe Hill. 3pm-ish saw us at Stowe Hill so we decided to press on to The Wharf at Bugbrooke, where we arrived at around 4ish. We quenched our thirst with a pint and decided that the weather was so good we would press on and overnight at Stoke Bruerne. I rang Julian and Tina to see where they were and Tina reported that they were no 4 down the Rothersthorpe flight and that Julian had stated that they had to get to the rally site before the bar tent closed (did it ever?). Shortly afterwards Judy and Stan rang us to see where we were as they were driving through the area and fancied a get-together. So it was decided that we would meet up at Stoke Bruerne for a pint or three and a chat in The Boat Inn - and a good evening it was. Saturday May 1st 0930 saw us on route back from S.B back towards Gayton and the Northampton Arm, again in glorious sunshine. After waiting for a hire boat to fill its fairly empty water tank, we topped up Draco's and emptied the loo and then went on to Gayton Marina to obtain our E.A licence. Sticky paper in hand we finally arrived at Rothersthorpe top around 1130. Not a bad descent down the flight second in a queue of four boats, with the one in front of us lock wheeling well and back-setting for us, which we likewise did for the following boat. It still took us 4 hours to lock down on to the Nene! We staggered around to the Rally site and wondered where we should moor when there was Julian and Tina frantically waving us to breast up against Idleness - we had arrived! Booked in and had a welcome pint in the bar tent. Saturday night saw us well entertained by Jeff and Benny and well oiled with Natterjack we retired to Draco's back cabin with Julian and Tina and polished off a bottle of Claret and the better part of a bottle of something white. The early hours saw us retire to our bed. Sunday May 2nd We arose around 0900 and after generally sorting Draco out went and had a look at the boat jumble stuff. Wandered back for breakfast and prepared for our voyage down river, scheduled for an 1100 start. Eventually we set off with Idleness alongside down river towards the Britannia for Sunday lunch and lubrication. An interesting cruise, we were essentially the first boats to leave the rally site, but the last to arrive at the pub - I will let Julian tell that tale :-> Absolute mayhem at the pub moorings, with around 14 or 15 boats occupying what were no more that 4 or 5 moorings - we were almost breasted right across the river. Lunch and suitable lubrication taken, we set off down river for a short way to wind the boats and the back to the rally site. Almost an uneventful voyage back to our rally moorings, but just as we were entering Town Lock Draco got a blade full - in fact it turned out to be a full-length Dorothy Perkins woollen overcoat! - which took the better part of an hour to get off. We were towed out of the lock and 'dumped' on the other side of the river, where we floated gently (!) to and from whilst boats were speeding back and forth in the handling competition and I flailed relatively fruitlessly with a knife and hacksaw down the weed hatch. Julian towed us back to our mooring after the handling competition finished where I finally managed to clear the blade - I still have the scars. Sunday night we were entertained in the marquee by Buzz and Sam Collins (they will be doing so also at the Stafford GiG, and for anyone who has not seen them you are in for a treat) and quaffed a few more pints of Natterjack. A relatively early night, as Julian and Tina were setting off back home at 5am next morning and we planned a 7.30 start Monday May 3rd We arose at 7am and by 7.45 we were quietly (Draco's version of quietly that is) moving back up river towards the Northampton Arm - unfortunately several other boats had had the same idea and we were at the back of a queue of five. 45 minutes later we entered bottom lock, 4 hours after entering bottom lock we climbed out of top lock! - not exactly a record.... We motored on through the afternoon and arrived at Buckby bottom late afternoon and decided to lock up the flight and stop at The New Inn for some food, etc. No moorings available at the top and after a consultation we decided that as it was just gone 7pm, we could get to The Mill House at Braunston in time to get some food there. A quick phone call to our Amber's and we rustled up some help for the Braunston flight in the persons of Amber and Michelle. We arrived at The Mill House and managed to get a table in time - BUT THEY HAD RUN PUT OF FOOD AN HOUR BEFORE! A quick run up the village to The Plough, who of course had plenty of food and we were well in time. A night-cap aboard Draco and we retired to bed. Tuesday May 4th We had decided to take Draco back to her home mooring, so after shuffling the cars around we started off on the last leg of our journey at around 1130. 3.30pm saw Draco safely moored up - the voyage as over. We would like to thank the Northampton Branch IWA for organising an excellent weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect and the company as well. We are looking forward to attending next year's event. The Woodings tug Draco -- Michael J Wooding - nb DRACO http://www.thewoodings.freeserve.co.uk/ NABO Webmaster http://www.clearlight.com/~nabo CIBC Webmaster http://www.cutweb.freeserve.co.uk/ The Cutpics site: http://www.vhfcomm.co.uk/cutpics.htm