A 'Missing Couple of Days' 8th - 9th September

Saturday 8th September 2018
Weston Flavell Floodgate to Northampton Marina
3 miles, 3 locks

I woke this morning feeling decidedly 'off', but not so bad that I could not carry on.  Monty's walk was along the flood bank away from the flood defences.  Better for him as he could be off the lead.  It was visually okay- a bit flat

but with rowers and horses, it was pleasant enough

but aurally it was a nightmare with the very busy A45 where the traffic was incessant whizzing both ways

We did not linger long before heading back to the boat ready to be off.  Our destination changed last night - we had intended mooring near Morrisons in the town, but another boat moored at Weston Flavell warned of a sunken boat and not that much space.  They highly recommended Northampton Marina, so I called and booked both of us in for 2 nights.

We had just two locks very close together shortly after we set off.  Just after the second one (Rush Mills) there is a row of moored boats - one or two in good nick, but

most very far from it

a sad end for a piece of history

On we went towards Northampton - under University Bridge

then with Beckett Park on our right

under the blue bridge that would be our escape route from the marina

Past the university

One more lock with serious padlocks on the paddles which says something about life round here - maybe another reason for going into the marina.

Just past the mural on your left

it is a very sharp left turn into the marina

It is a medium sized marina with very good full length pontoons.  The facilities are all good and scrupulously clean.  The welcome was warm and friendly - somewhere we would happily come back to.  The overnight charge is £10, which is less than a lot and their electricity is very cheap as they mostly run off solar panels. It was a relief to get rid of rubbish (bins are few and far between along the Upper Nene) and even more exciting to be able to actually find really good recycling bins.

 Ken and I went up to the office to book in.  There is a great view from their window and down below I spotted a boat well known to a lot of bloggers

Once we were moored I retreated to my bed and apart from getting up for dinner, that was it for me for the day.

Sunday 9th September 2018
Northampton Marina

I made it to Morrisons for a big shop, but then retreated back to bed!  As I said - I 'missed a couple of days'!