A Lesson Learnt the Hard Way - 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Thursday 30th August 2018
Fotheringhay to Oundle Marina
7 miles, 4 locks

When we were moored here four years ago and Monty was just two, and when it was time to leave he decided, for some reason best known to himself, to stick his bottom in the air and flounce off.  Nothing would tempt him onto the boat.  In the end I followed him up to the top of the field where he was waiting at the gate for me to open it!  It did, of course, mean I had him and there was no escape.  Four years older and he is now very good about getting on the boat, however today.....

first he went off to sit by Cleddau and then

 even when we started to move away he just lay down and refused to budge!  Did he remember his past misdemeanor?  Probably not - the problem was some wasps had arrived on our boat which had made him bolt. 

He realised the error of his ways and we obviously went back for him!

There is a water point just past the bridge in Fotheringhay, however with a cruiser moored almost in the way it would have been very tricky to access going upstream.  We did watch one narrow boat who went through the bridge, winded, came back, tucked his bow in, reversed and winded again before proceeding.  Thankfully as we were heading for a marina it was one problem we did not have to face.

Going past the water point gives the best view of the church

The first lock of the day (Perio) had another of those dreaded wheels, but sadly Ken was not to hand, so Sue and took in turns to spin!  Even releasing the wheel and then locking it again is not without difficulty.  Ken ensured he was on land for the last lock of the day at Ashton that had another of these dreaded wheels.

The Friends of the Nene moorings just after Ashton lock look great, but we were booked into Oundle Marina, so not for us this trip.

Lower Barnwell lock was our last of the day

Just round the corner is the very narrow entrance to Oundle Marina

We both filled up with diesel and then moved to our adjacent moorings very close to the office and all facilities.   We also had one electric point to share which was more than we were expecting.

Seen today on our way today.

Friday and Saturday 31st August and 1st September 2018
Oundle

So why had we booked into this marina?  Well we stayed here four years ago, knew we could walk into Oundle and that there is a fantastic Country Park just across the road.  Friday was a day to make very good use the launderette and enjoy Barnwell Country Park.  There are four different walks - we covered them all over our time there.

There is a cafe which looks okay although we did not try it

It is a delight to walk round even if you don't have a dog.

 

If you walk to the far end you are within sight of Oundle Mill which used to be a boutique hotel and high end restaurant - now sadly closed.

the mill is beside Upper Barnwell Lock

We spent quite a few days here four years ago and explored the town - if you missed it and want to know about this wonderful town look HERE - there are also some more photos of the Country Park (and probably better ones).

So what was this lesson we learnt?  On Saturday the four of walked to Waitrose through the town.  There we filled up our trolleys - Ken had four taxi company numbers in his phone. however, when we had finished and Ken tried to make that call only one of the four answered and the last one could not send one for several hours!!!!  So we had a long walk with very heavy bags!  When I told the lady at the marina she confirmed it is almost impossible to get a taxi in Oundle and she also said she would have come and collected us.  So as I said a hard lesson learnt.  In addition to this lot there were two very heavy rucksacks and Sue has two bags with flowers.

Oundle is not an all singing all dancing marina, but the staff are very welcoming and it has all the essentials.  Definitely worth considering if you need a pit stop in this part of the world.